God’s Living Word Today - Sunday, June 21, 2020 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

God’s Living Word Today - Sunday, June 21, 2020
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

[Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Matt 10:26-33]
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. [Matthew]

The context for Jesus' wonderful statement about sparrows is what scripture scholars call the "missionary discourse"  in the Gospel According to Matthew.  At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus "summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness."  He gives them their marching orders and warns them to expect resistance and even persecution.  With all that in mind, God's providence will guide them just as it guides the little sparrows!

In the church courtyard at the fountain small sparrows come and sit on top tier to drink water then fly away only to return later. The feeling of God's providence, the image of sparrows and the passage quoted above helps us realize that God cares for each one of us just as God cares for them.  The beautiful old hymn says it well: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me." 

Happy Father’s Day

Father Dennis