WHAT BLUEJAYS HAVE TAUGHT ME ABOUT MY CATHOLIC FAITH

Some years ago I started placing a few peanuts on our backyard wooden fence, for the bluejays. In short order, it became routine, enjoying watching how they fastidiously scout, survey, then pick each one. Then, on placing the peanuts, I began whistling a distinctive whistle (one long whistle followed by four lower pitched short whistles) in hopes of “calling” them to let them know the peanuts were out. They caught on. Now, after putting out about 30 peanuts or so, I whistle, and within 60 seconds by the clock, one by one, then two by four, they fly in and proceed to find and fly off with every peanut. Without the whistle, it may take 10 to 15 minutes before they arrive; with the whistle, it’s within one minute.

Listening for the Master’s Call:
In my faith, I think of John 10:27—“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Like the jays, I am called to know the voice of Christ amid the noise of the world, to recognize Him in Scripture, prayer, and the sacraments, and to respond without delay.

At first, the jays kept their distance. Then, after a few weeks to months they began moving in closer, landing and staging on tree branches and bushes only a few feet away from me as I continued to place the peanuts about. They now are eating 3-4 feet in front of my chair. I don’t have them taking peanuts from my hand–not yet–but they are obviously trusting me more as time goes on.

Trust Built Over Time:
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Faith often works the same way. At times, we keep God at arm’s length, unsure if we can fully surrender. But through prayer, Mass, and daily acts of grace, we learn that He is faithful—and we come closer.

In short order, as a sport, I ceased placing the peanuts on the fence and began “hiding” them in various places around the yard. Some were in full view, others were partially or fully hidden from sight. Behind flower pots, in the mortar joint of brickwork, on top of things, inside bushes, and so forth. The cleverness of the jays was soon observed. They would fly from one place across the yard to another, apparently getting a different angle. They would stage on the roof edge, then in a tree, then on a low bush, then in a crepe myrtle, heads turning and flitting around in search of the next peanut. Eventually, they would find each and everyone. I’ve not been able to successfully hide a peanut from a jay.

Seeking With Determination:
Christ tells us in Matthew 7:7, “Seek, and you will find.” The blue jays remind me that seeking God is not passive. I must look for Him actively—whether in Scripture, in others, in the quiet moments of the day, or in the Eucharist.

It didn’t take long when I first became interested in bird watching to accumulate now 11 bird feeders. Birds have a heirarchy and the elites will let the commoners know who has priority at a particular feeder. But with more than a few feeders, there is room for everyone. But an interesting and unfailing phenomenon I observed. If there are no birds around, I can put out the peanuts, whistle, and when the jays start flying in, it is within short order that the other species of birds soon follow, with everyone having a grand ole time. On any given day we can see up to 17 different species of birds in our yard. Living on/near a marsh facilitates this happy occurrence. Its as if the jays, with their distinctive chatter, are the sentinels or guards telling the others that its safe to come and eat. And so, the cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, doves, thrashers, woodpeckers, scaly-breasted munias, brown-headed cowbirds, and many others, all come to feast. They seem to delight in one another’s company.

Living in Communion:
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The Church calls us to the same. We are not meant to live our faith alone; we are part of a community—the Body of Christ. Just as the blue jays, and their colleagues, thrive together, so do we when we pray together, serve together, and bear one another’s burdens.

It didn’t take long to notice that the bluejays began to give meaning to the peanut they were seizing. They size up the peanut, and in the instance of several peanuts in a small area on the ground, will reject one from their beak, and choose instead another, not necessarily a larger one. It’s as if each peanut has meaning to them for that moment. For some they display almost a strange reverence in their choosing. To them, the peanut is a small treasure, that they take with purpose–to be stored for later or for feasting at the home they fly back to.

Gratitude for Daily Bread:
This makes me think of the Eucharist—our true Bread from Heaven. The blue jays’ delight reminds me to approach Holy Communion not out of routine, but with gratitude, reverence, and awareness that I am receiving something priceless.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29 – “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.”

What, for me, began years ago as a simple act—feeding a few wild birds—has become a daily parable and prayer. The blue jays have taught me to listen for the Lord’s voice, to trust Him over time, to seek Him with diligence, to live in communion with others, and to treasure the Bread He provides.

The Catechism says, “In the creatures of the world, we discern signs of His providence and love.” My backyard blue jays have become those signs for me. Every whistle, every swoop, every joyful find points me back to the Giver of all good gifts.

Among the populace, bluejays usually get a pretty bad rap as cantankerous and rude creatures. But for me, I give thanks to God for their closeness and the lessons they teach.

Job 12:7-10