October 16, 2020 Reflection – Fear not, you are of more worth than many sparrows
Fear not, you are of more value than many sparrows… October 16, 2020 St. Hedwig, Religious St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin Dear Family of Mary! Our Gospel for today: In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7) These words from the Gospel for today were spoken by Jesus in the midst of the chaos that surrounded Him, as he taught the people. You can imagine how difficult it was for Jesus and the disciples to deal with all the factions that were swirling around them. But Jesus was able to sort everything out and speak words that stopped everyone in their tracks. Certainly, Jesus speaks about the whole mess from the perspective of His Father. Not one thing that was said about Jesus, from whatever quarter, would go unheard. The Father hears everything, even the thoughts of our hearts. So if there was someone to fear it would be that Someone who knows everything about each human being, what we think, what we have said, or what we have plotted against others, how we have schemed and how we have betrayed others. That is the one to fear. But on the other hand, that same Someone, Jesus tells us, has counted the hairs on our heads and beholds us with the tender love of a Father, wanting only the best for us. In the hands of such a Father, there is nothing to fear. Clearly if we live with a constant awareness of the Love of the Father in Heaven, we will be aware that we are always beheld by Him. And in that loving gaze, we will be safe, and we will behave ourselves!! Our Lady says to us: July 25, 1996 “Dear children! Today I invite you to decide every day for God. Little children, you speak much about God, but you witness little with your life. Therefore, little children, decide for conversion, that your life may be true before God, so that in the truth of your life you witness the beauty God gave you. Little children, I invite you again to decide for prayer because through prayer, you will be able to live the conversion. Each one of you shall become in the simplicity, similar to a child which is open to the love of the Father. Thank you for having responded to my call.” May we all be similar to a child which is open to the love of the Father! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan © Mary TV 2020