Are we called to preach the Gospel to animals?
Are we called to preach the Gospel to animals?
Question: In Mark 16:15, Jesus states “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Why use the term “creature”? Could this be an early indication of St. Francis, who delivered messages to birds? Please clarify this terminology.
— Name withheld, Virginia
Answer: The Greek word rendered here as “every creature” is ktisis and can be interpreted as “all creation.” Additionally, the term can also signify “everywhere.” This is the initial and probably primary meaning of the phrase, indicating that they ought to reach all nations, that they should proclaim and disseminate the Gospel universally. The idea that they should preach to animals and other beings like plants cannot be its primary or direct meaning. Given that plants and animals lack rational thought, delivering sermons to them would be ineffective.
Nevertheless, there exists a scriptural principle indicating that all of creation will be blessed at the Lord’s Second Coming and that the proclamation of the Gospel can expedite this process. Some passages seem to suggest the complete destruction of the created world at the Second Coming (cf. 2 Pt 3:10; Mt 24:35; Rv 21:1). However, those very passages also mention a new heaven and a new earth. Does this imply that the present creation will be entirely obliterated and fully substituted? Perhaps, but the Lord, after concluding the Book of Revelation, portrays what He has accomplished more as a restoration: “The One seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” (Rv 21:5). Additional writings in the Bible predict a profound restoration of all creation. Isaiah envisions a realm where: “Then the wolf will be a companion of the lamb, and the leopard will rest alongside the young goat; The calf and the young lion will feed together, with a small child to shepherd them. The cow and the bear will graze, together their offspring will lie down; the lion will consume grass like the ox. The infant will play near the viper’s den, and the child will place his hand on the adder’s nest. They shall not cause harm or devastation on all my sacred mountain; for the earth will be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water envelops the sea” (Is 11:6-9). St. Paul similarly states, “for creation was rendered subject to futility, not by its own will but due to the one who imposed it, in the expectation that creation itself would be liberated from the bondage of corruption and partake in the splendid freedom of the children of God. We understand that all creation is groaning in the pains of childbirth even now” (Rom 8:20-22).
Thus, it appears that creation itself will one day be healed of the scars that resulted from original sin and will be brought back to its completeness. Additionally, the proclamation of the Gospel, although not aimed at non-rational beings at present, does contribute to accelerating the moment when creation will be renewed. St. Peter instructs: “What kind of people should [you] be, living in holiness and godliness, anticipating and accelerating the arrival of the day of God, because of which the skies will be dissolved in fire and the elements will be melted by heat. But in accordance with his promise, we look forward to new heavens and a new earth where righteousness resides” (2 Pt 3:11-13). Thus, we can accelerate the arrival of the Lord and the restoration of all creation by leading virtuous lives and increasing the count of the elect. The Scripture states, “creation waits in eager longing for the revealing of the children of God” (Rom 8:19). Once the number of the elect reaches its fullness, creation will likewise partake in the renewal of everything.
As the proclamation and adherence to the Gospel contribute to accelerating this process, there exists a link to Jesus’ directive to “preach the gospel to every creature.” This does not refer to literal preaching to non-human beings, but rather signifies that all of creation can symbolically ‘rejoice’ as the Gospel is shared with humanity, for it magnificently foreshadows the emancipation of all things. The fact that St. Francis is reported to have preached to animals undoubtedly alludes to this eventuality, but it also serves as a parable to caution us, much like the Lord remarked, “I tell you, if they [the disciples] are silent, the stones will cry out!” (Lk 19:40). Essentially, St. Francis’ preaching to the animals serves to exemplify our obstinacy. Absent a miracle, these creatures would have been unable to comprehend his message.
