Fear Not, Little Flock

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:32-34

The thing about sheep is that they are easily frightened and not too bright. They tend to hang together and when one gets spooked they all can get anxious. Not unlike human beings, when one person is upset or undone, we can feel it from them and get anxious with them. When my relatives and friends on the East Coast are thrown and tossed by this disastrous storm, we can help but feel it. I ache to be with my family and with those who are suffering - to do something inside of quaking idly by.

Jesus comforts and challenges his disciples at the same time. He tell them to not be afraid and that God cares for all of them completely. He then challenges them to get up and do something very difficult - to sell possessions and give to the needy. Hr tells them to seek their treasure in caring for others. He invites them to get up and get moving for the most vulnerable and their worries would pass away. We are invited in the depths of our anxiety and helplessness to seek out our treasure by loving and caring for others. Then we too will see our true joy.

Today, as we set out into a world of fear and anxiety, may we remember that we are blessed with treasure. God promises to be in the midst of our worst fears as we offer ourselves for others. We will find joy and we hold the grieving, feed the hungry and bless those who have lost their way. May God find us all giving ourselves away today.