Midweek Faith Lift
February 28, 2024
Cats: What Can They Teach Us?
Susan Wolfe, Guest Speaker
I know we have many cat lovers in our community, so I knew I couldn’t miss with this topic! And I know we also have dog lovers, but that is a topic for another day!
It is remarkable the various shapes, colors and sizes cats come in. Ranging from jungle wild cats to domestic house cats. I often hear humorous cat behavior stories and anecdotes ranging from how they wake us up to be fed in the morning, to the zany games they play and other behaviors. Bryan Willer’s new kitten likes to jump in the shower with him. Liz Mari’s cat won’t drink water until she adds the ice cubes.
The oldest known pet cat existed 95 hundred years ago. It was originally thought that Egyptians domesticated the cat. But in 2004, French archaeologists discovered a 9500-year-old cat grave in Cyprus. This makes this the oldest known pet cat and it predates Egyptian art about cats by over 4000 years. In Egypt, cats were represented in social and religious scenes dating as early as 1980 BC and even became divine symbols. Cats were wanted for their hunting skills and ability to control various pests, such as rats and venomous snakes, that were ruinous to farming in the region.
The Bible doesn’t say anything about domestic cats in the Old or New testament because domesticated cats didn’t exist in Biblical lands at the time the book was compiled. However, there are mentions of big cats in various contexts. For example:
Proverbs 28:1 Says The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
In other words, a bad or guilty person won’t wait around to be judged, but a person who is living righteously has nothing fear.
Cats as spirit animals
Spiritually, cats are often associated with mystery, independence, and intuition. In many ancient cultures, they were considered guardians of the supernatural realm and were believed to possess magical powers. Physically, cats are known for their agility, grace, and keen senses. Their ability to see in the dark and their hunting prowess have contributed to their symbolic representation as creatures of stealth and adaptability.
III. Alan Robert Rabinowitz (December 31, 1953 – August 5, 2018) was an American zoologist. He was the chief scientist at Panthera Corporation, a nonprofit conservation organization devoted to protecting the world's 40 wild cat species. He was called the "Indiana Jones of Wildlife Protection" by Time magazine. He studied jaguars, clouded leopards, Asiatic leopards, tigers, Sumatran rhinos, bears, leopard cats, raccoons, and civets.
I first heard this story on the Moth Hour on Iowa Public Radio and I want to share it with you today.
As he tells his story, I would like you to listen for the hurt and anger he experienced and how his spiritual connection with animals, specifically jaguars, helped heal him.
VI. Alan was deeply attuned to animals, especially to the cats he studied and interacted with. Even though we cannot communicate with animals verbally, they can teach us many things spiritually, such as patience, sensitivity to surroundings, courage and intuitive perceptions, mystery and independence, and healing, if we “listen” with our hearts.
V. Lets take this into meditation.
If you are at home with your cat sitting in your lap that's great. If you don’t have a cat or are here sitting in the sanctuary try to imagine the warm fuzzy presence of a cat with you right now.
As you get comfortable, for a few moments, look around you. Notice your environment, look for details,cColors, smells, textures, shadows. Be alert and aware noticing what is around you.
When you’re ready, close your eyes.
We are going to take a few deep breaths. Inhale, deeply filling your lungs with a calming breath, exhale and relax your head and shoulders.
Take another calming deep breath. Exhale and relax your chest and back. Allow your belly to soften.
Deep breath in. Feel the tension leaving your legs and feet.
Be fully arrived where you are sitting, and fully relaxed.
Imagine your cat is near you. The soft fur and purring sound.
Feel love for your cat, allowing it to well up in your heart. Warming and filling your body with love and peace.
Think of what you love most about this cat. How they make you feel. Their quirkiness. Think how peaceful they make you feel. Ask to be filled with peace and loving kindness.
Now think of a person in your life who is having a difficult time, or having a problem situation.
Imagine sending this love to this person. May this person be filled with love and peace, allowing the tenderness and compassion wrapping around them and filling the place they need it most.
May this person be filled with loving-kindness.
Now begin to include other. Ames citizens. US citizens. People in war torn regions. People suffering anywhere in the world.
And lets sit with this in silence.
As we begin to come back to the present moment, place your hand over your heart feeling gratitude for the cat or cats that inspired you.
Now that we are feeling warm and fuzzy and loved, let’s take our love offerings in hand and bless them.
Offering blessing
We have gratitude for these tithes and offerings with the intention of blessing you spirit. And putting them to work in a way that would honor you Holy Spirit. For that we say Thank you God! (3 x)
Amen!
Blessings on all our beloved cats!
Susan Wolfe