Ostriches, Dung Beetles and Other Spiritual Masters

Have you ever thought that you might learn something from a crocodile, or a zebra, or a warthog? During more than thirty years in Africa, Janice McLaughlin has not only become deeply attuned to all that we can learn of our Creator from nature, she has also accumulated a fund of rare wisdom useful in daily life. As she tells about the wildlife of Africa, she also teaches us about ourselves and what were capable of--how we can strengthen our understanding of community from the elephant and how the hippopotamus can teach us much about humility and self-acceptance.

Delightful sketches of African wildlife by two African artists accompany the reflections. Passages from scripture about that particular virtue follow each reflection, along with a few questions for personal reflection, and some suggestions for practicing that virtue during the coming week.

Janice McLaughlin, a Maryknoll sister originally from Pittsburgh, has lived in East and Southern Africa for thirty-five years. She served as the president of the Maryknoll Sisters congregation from 2008-2014.