Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
I have become more interested in birds and birdwatching over the past several years. In fact, a favorite gift from my husband last year was a pair of birdwatching binoculars. In addition to keeping our bird feeder full, and maintaining flowering plants that attract hummingbirds in the summer, we are fortunate to have many trees in and near our yard that bring a variety of birds. As you can imagine, it's most exciting when we spot or hear a less common bird. Our gospel reading today, however, refers to a fairly common bird - the sparrow.
In this passage from Luke (12:1-7) Jesus is offering courage to the disciples under persecution. “I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more….” He then references sparrows, which apparently were sold, five for two “small coins.” Here’s the common bird. “Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.” (vs 6)
This familiar passage goes on, “Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (vs 7)
Worth more than many sparrows! Yet, not even one of these sparrows has been forgotten, ignored, or passed over. What a beautiful understanding of God’s love and care for us. And how intimately our God knows us that even every hair on our head has been counted.
This says to me that we are never alone, even when we feel the most alone. We are never abandoned, even if the rest of the world has abandoned us. We are seen with eyes of love, even in our suffering, even in our bodily death. Do not be afraid. Amen.
~Eileen Miller