12TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A
LESSON FROM THE SPARROWS
MT 10: 26-33
When I pray early mornings I join the symphony of bird sounds already praising before me in the darkness up in the trees. Among the various sounds are the most common chirping of the ordinary, lowly, unremarkable sparrows. These birds we almost never notice, but I read they are the most widespread bird species, inhabiting the whole planet except Antarctica.
I also read that sparrows are a symbol of many things in different cultures. Depending on the place, sparrows remind people of good luck, fertility, resilience, springtime, pest, or annoyance. Even the Lord Jesus knew of sparrows and used them in today’s gospel. Sparrows are sold very cheap, he said, and yet the Heavenly Father loves them and does not allow them to die without his knowledge and permission.
We are worth more than many sparrows – more intelligent, creative, powerful, beautiful and robust. But we seem to lack one quality the sparrows have more of than us. Sparrows have no fear in life while we have a huge dose of fear within us. Hiding behind a happy and confident façade is our fear of sickness, death, failure, weakness, rejection, and pain.
Using the sparrows as example, the Lord Jesus encourages us to let fear give way to faith, trembling to trust, dread to devotion to God. Jeremiah’s story is also true for us; we have reasons to be afraid of things, events or people who wish to harm us. But like the prophet and the chirping birds can we also say in the end: “But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion… they shall not triumph!” God, like a good human father, is here to encourage (which means “to put in” courage), not to dishearten (which means “to separate from” cheer). God’s constant message is: beware of despair.
What are you really afraid of? That nobody notices your value? That you might be a loser? That nobody loves you for who you really are? That you might be the butt of jokes, criticisms and judgements? That you might end up with an unfulfilling life? While it takes courage to face up to our hidden fears, we are not alone. Jesus is with us, the one who faced the cross with courage and trust in his Father’s love.
When we are afraid, look out the window and notice the sparrows; see how they survive day by day and how they thrive quietly in this world. Then remind yourself that the God who cares for these seemingly insignificant creatures loves you even more. He tells you in Jesus not to fear anyone or anything. No to fear; no to despair, no to defeat. Yes to faith, yes to trust, yes to the Loving Father who cares for us!
ourparishpriest 2023
