Francis seemed to understand something that is easy for us to forget: animals are not simply things that belong to us. They are part of the community of creation. Francis called them his brothers and sisters. He understood that we are connected to all of creation—the animals we love, the beasts we never encounter, the earth beneath our feet, the water that nourishes and sustains, and the people sitting beside us. We are even connected to the people and creatures we might not particularly like.

What do you say? It’s a Craigism and it confuses about half of you when I ask you that, so I stopped asking the question. What do you say is like a friendly hello. A variation of how are you? or what’s up? You can say whatever you want. You can say what is on your mind.

I see you. To be seen for who you are. To have someone get you. With all your idiosyncrasies and contradictions. A gift for the giver and the receiver. Pure grace.

When describing the new feast to our Wednesday study group, someone asked what the appointed liturgical color would be. Oh, I said, wait for the sermon!