First Reading: Romans 4;1-8
Brothers and sisters:
What can we say that Abraham found,
our ancestor according to the flesh?
Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works,
he has reason to boast;
but this was not so in the sight of God.
For what does the Scripture say?
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
A worker’s wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due.
But when one does not work,
yet believes in the one who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is credited as righteousness.
So also David declares the blessedness of the person
to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven
and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not record.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 32:1B-2,5, 11
R. (see 7) I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.
R. I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Gospel: Luke 12:1-7
At that time:
So many people were crowding together
that they were trampling one another underfoot.
Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples,
“Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.
“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness
will be heard in the light,
and what you have whispered behind closed doors
will be proclaimed on the housetops.
I tell you, my friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but after that can do no more.
I shall show you whom to fear.
Be afraid of the one who after killing
has the power to cast into Gehenna;
yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?
Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.
Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than many sparrows.”
Last spring, my ten year-old cousin discovered a small bird's nest, filled with three eggs, sitting on the sill of his bedroom window. Immediately, he informed all of us that he had been favored to receive such an amazing front row seat to this process of bird hatching. Over the next several weeks, my cousin sent us countless pictures and updates on the state of the eggs.
A usually boisterous, life-of-the-party little boy had become so tender toward these little birds-to-be. As soon as he arrived home from school each day, he darted up the stairs to his room to check on "his" eggs. He bid the eggs goodnight and good morning, and made sure the nest was secure. Imagine, then, his excitement when he saw three new baby birds in the nest, surrounded by their cracked shells. It was pure elation. This devotion of his continued for a few more weeks as the baby birds grew and eventually left the nest.
During this time, my heart warmed as I watch this baby cousin of mine dedicate his time and energy to watching over a little nest. I couldn't help but think of God the Father, and see a glimpse of His providence in the love of my cousin.
Today's Gospel always brings to mind the Spring of the Baby Birds, and I am left feeling seen.
Seen by a God who loves me. Seen by a Father who knows the details of me more intimately than anyone else. Seen by a Lord who came to earth just for me. Seen by a Spirit who walks before, beside, and behind me during every mundane moment of my day. Seen by a generous God, who always notices little ol' me.
We need to be seen, don't we sisters? Especially in today's screen-saturated culture, it appears that we can pass 100 people a day without anyone looking up and looking at us. We often feel insignificant in our duties—overlooked at work, unworthy of a valiant mission, valueless as a stay at home mom, without direction as a single person, small in our prayer and inadequate in our purpose. But this is not seeing our lives and our very selves with the eyes of Almighty God. Because He sees us with the eyes of a Father and a Lover.
Let's remember this today, gals, as we go about our various commitments and at times, feel small and unnoticed. Because Jesus sees, He knows, He counts, and He notices you.
Because Jesus sees, He knows, and He notices you.Click to tweet
We often feel insignificant in our duties—overlooked at work, unworthy of a valiant mission, valueless as a stay-at-home mom, without direction as a single person, small in our prayer and inadequate in our purpose. But this is not seeing our lives and our very selves with the eyes of Almighty God. Because He sees us with the eyes of a Father and a Lover.
Olivia Spears is a middle school religion teacher turned SAHM who is married to her high school best friend. You can find out more about her here.
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