More Than Many Sparrows

Luke 12: 1-7

Warnings and Encouragements

12 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 Can you picture this crowd so great that people were trampling on one another? .Such was the magnetic attraction of Jesus and the power of his teaching and miracles. His message is clear: hypocrisy lurks within and around us, as yeast in dough; danger surrounds us, fear can easily creep in and undo the good that God has given us and expects us to share with others. Yet Jesus tells us not to fear for as God protects the sparrows, he protects us...even more so!  May we find encouragement from these words to profess our faith boldly by our words and actions. In this prayer of St. Teresa of Avila, whose memorial we celebrate today, may we find the encouragement we need to be a "re-former" of our own lives, that of our families and church.

 Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

Bro. Rene