More Than Sparrows

When Jesus went outside, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile toward him and to cross-examine him about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say. Meanwhile, when the crowd gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you are to defend yourselves or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 11:53—12:12 

More Than Sparrows

O wondrous Creator, protector of all creation

not even little sparrows are forgotten to you

nothing is wasted and no one neglected

yet we, your creations, squander so very much.

We dispose quickly of the slightly broken

we shove aside the lost and the foreign

we burn down your beautiful forests

complaining about our slightest discomforts.

In the face of cruel unfeeling leadership

you told the people to have no fear

each is tenderly love by their maker

each is more valuable than they even know.

Help us to behold everyone with you eyes

let us see the beauty and gift in each one

make us know we are precious and beloved

and help us not to be fearless in these days. Amen.