Bird Watching

It is fascinating to watch the comings and goings at our bird feeders: to see the chickadees, cardinals, goldfinch, humming birds and the Baltimore orioles, among others, as they try to get their share of the food. Some of them refuse to let others join them at the feeders, while others will only allow those of their own kind to join them. Some of them try to get sustenance from either the hummingbird or the oriole feeders, only to fly away in disappointment. Occasionally we see 3 or 4 birds of the same kind at the feeder, and very occasionally we see different varieties feeding together. Of course when the hawk appears in the sky there is nary a bird to be found. They have all scattered to hide in the juniper bush or the lilac tree close by.

I realized today as I was watching them that they mirror human society as it exists today. For the most part, we humans are programmed to look out for ourselves, for survival. If we do care about others, it is mainly about our own kind, members of our families, and we protect them from others who might look, or act differently. Occasionally we might allow someone 'different' into our circle as long as that someone isn't too different. But let the ‘bottom line’ be threatened or the specter of societal disapproval appear and we retreat back into the safety of our own kind..

‘Why? Why do we depend so much on instinct? Aren't we the only species on this earth [as far as we are aware, anyway] who have the capacity to reason, to think, and to make decisions not based on instinct? If we grew up in the Christian tradition, we have heard these words all our lives: “This is my commandment, love one another as I have loved you…” John 15:12

If we really believe it is all about love then how can we excluded anyone based on gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religious or political beliefs or for any of the myriad of reasons that separate us. I believe we are called upon to share whatever we have with anyone who is in need, that the stranger or the alien is as much a part of my family as those I live with. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Everyone must be allowed to sit with us and to eat at our table’.

Yes, the birds are acting on instinct. Just as we are acting on instinct when we choose our own kind to associate with. But that doesn't make it right! Loving one another means treating all others with respect, wanting them to have enough, and being willing to give up some of what we have so that might happen. The world does not revolve around us and our needs, but rather we are here to meet the needs of others.

What can you do to meet the needs of someone this week?

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