Monday, September 11, 2023

Heaven Can Wait (for Barb)

 


Years ago, back when I was a believer,


I had the opportunity to ask an old friend


of the family, a Franciscan Friar, Father


Francis Jerome Gray, if he supposed that


God would allow dogs into heaven?



My belief at the time was that true eternal


happiness would have to include the pure


and faithful companionship of man’s best


friend.



Without hesitation the reverend looked


at me smiling piously and responded with


an unequivocal, yes. I knew then that


never would heaven be nearer than it


was then.



Today, with my pup’s loyal company by


my side, I am gratified to realize the


sanctified nearness of heaven in the


here and now.



In his temporal lifetime on Earth,


St. Francis of Assisi loved animals


as well. And being the founder of


his Order, what else could my


friend Father Francis have said?



                      -30-


Chris Hanch 9-11-2023


No comments:

Post a Comment