Every Sparrow Falling

In this year, 2022, there is much to be afraid of. The fear of a reader noticing the ending of this first sentence with a preposition notwithstanding, more serious things that can “kill the body” are all around us and within us. From the latest Covid variant to the tenuous situations in Ukraine and Taiwan, to a world economy barely hanging by a thread, the threats looming on the “outside” are real and formidable. If, by some miracle, all the exterior problems go into remission, we are not nearly “off the hook” with our worries. At any time, inside of our bodies, an errant cell or a small piece of plaque can cause serious damage, and even death. As of this writing, something called “Monkey Pox” has appeared on the scene to terrorize us. All the “adversaries” listed above can be filed in a folder labeled “Them”. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explains where our true fear should lie:
 
“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 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. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” (Mt 10:26-33)
 
Let us pray for a deeper understanding of God’s providential care, ranging from the mightiest humans to every sparrow falling.