12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
So, do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.
We are assured by the words of the Gospel today that we have no need to fear because the Father’s love is greater and more powerful than anything that could endanger us. We are worth more to our Creator than even one of the smallest, most insignificant birds. If not one of them falls without the Father’s knowledge, how much more embraced and protected are we?
And yet we succumb so often to fear, one of the most universal human emotions. We can relate to Jeremiah. Terror on every side. It seems there is more to fear in our world today. Wars, economic insecurity, diseases, and pandemics threaten society, inequality, violence, and distrust of one another, to name just a few. Each of us has our list of who and what keeps us on edge. Oftentimes, what is omitted is fear of the things that can destroy our souls: prejudice, cruelty to others, destruction of our environment, refusal to accept one another, and failure to forgive.
Jeremiah also reminds us that the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion. Instead of trying to find heroes who will save us, our hope and trust should be in the One who has already saved us, as Saint Paul reminds us: how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.
Rather than our fear, we are called to proclaim God’s saving grace from the housetops. We are challenged to offer hope to one another by reminding ourselves of the gifts we have received in the Eucharist, in our walking in faith together, and in our overcoming fear with trust and love for ourselves and one another.
What will I shout from my housetop today?
Let Us Pray:
Father, Son, and Spirit, we kneel in gratitude for the great love you have poured upon us. Enable us to replace our fear with such a deep trust in your love that we will be able to love others as you have loved us. Amen.
