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REFLECTION

A venomous snake is the theme for our reflection. Venomous snakes are species of the suborder serpentes that are capable of producing venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. In other words, a venomous snake is a poisonous snake. It is also known as a viper. We are told that “When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.” (Act 28:3). By the grace of God it did not bite him. God saved Paul from the venomous snake.

Our focus in today’s reflection is on the effect of human activity on wildlife and its reaction. It will be observed that at all materials times, the viper had been resting or perhaps in hiding and minding its own business before the people gathered to kindle the fire. The heat of the fire was further increased when Paul added a bundle of sticks to the fire. The direct consequence of increasing the heat of the fire is the great discomfort it caused the viper. In other words, the viper reacted by attacking Paul because of the unbearable or burning heat from the fire. Paul did not intentionally cause discomfort or deliberately threaten the security of the viper but the lesson is that wildlife may not always endure human actions that threatens their existence, it may sometimes react in ways that may also endanger our lives if our activities threatens their existence.

It is important to note that wildlife and human beings mutually share one significant characteristic. They are both territorial living creatures. Both wildlife and human beings take pride in defending their territories. It goes to reason that the viper or venomous snake reacted when its territory was invaded by human activity of using fire which caused unbearable heat to the viper.

Dear friend in the Lord, let us respect the territorial integrity and dignity of wildlife through our actions and inactions. We must be sensitive and good stewards to our environment since we share the ecosystem with wildlife. There are some instances where people have gotten bitten by poisonous snakes or attacked by wild animals because they interfered with their territories or they tried catching them for various experimental reasons. Some of these wildlife creatures are forcefully taken from their natural habitat and confined for the purpose of amusement. Wildlife does react and when it does, it leads to devastating consequences for human life. Let us respect the boundaries of nature and preserve wildlife for the interdependence of our ecosystem. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of wildlife, grant us the wisdom to responsibily manage wildlife towards a peaceful coexistence and interdependence. Amen.