Geese and Their Goslings

 

For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. (Psalm 50:10-11 ESV).

 

Not long ago I found myself walking near an area where some Canadian Geese had adopted as their home. There were two adults and several goslings. I did not approach as I am personally aware of how aggressive these large birds can be, especially when protecting their young. These geese are large birds from the family Anatidae. Since the flyway is rather broad for these beautiful birds we see them rather often even in Texas. Canada geese migrate considerable distances. Geese identified by rings have traversed the Atlantic, ending up in Europe, having been ringed in North America. Generally speaking, when a goose has found a mate, the pair stays together for life. Goslings hatch after about a month, and they are immediately able to walk, swim, and find their own food. It is wonderful to see a pair of geese with a line of goslings waddling to the water, and then swimming away.

 

The ancient Celtic Christians used to use the wild goose as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, the Spirit is described as being “like a dove”, and doves in the Middle East are wild and untamable. However, in the West, doves often appear tame and peaceful. Geese, on the other hand, exhibit the same wildness in properties as the biblical dove. Thus, the use of the Wild Goose as a symbol of the Holy Spirit seems appropriate. I find this of particular interest when I begin to think of the diversity of God’s creation.

 

Seeing the geese reminded me of today’s reading. It makes this clear in stating that every creature was made by God and ultimately belongs to Him. I wonder if we have truly understood and heeded that truth in the way we so easily mistreat one another. Our history has been one of unfair judgment and treatment of those who do not look or act like we do. The way we speak and act toward people of different color, creed, or values is an affront to the fact that every created being is God’s specific creation and design. Of course, I am not saying that there is not, nor should not be a place for congenial, courteous conversation about these differences. However, there can be no place for hateful, aggressive behavior to those who differ from us. Perhaps you would join me in a renewed effort of understanding and civility toward all others.