In Isaiah 53:7, we hear the Suffering Servant described “like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth.”
Later, preparing the Twelve for their mission, Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” (Mt. 10:16)
Francis of Assisi described himself as a worm and was very carful not to tread on one.
The animal kingdom is nourished by the vegetable kingdom while we live in a mineral kingdom. When God looked at everything he had made, he found it very good.” (Gn. 1:31) In Luke 17:21, Jesus says, “Behold, the kingdom of God is among you.” And each one of us is an essential and beloved part of that kingdom.
Paz y Bien, Rolando, OSF