God Takes Everything about Us Seriously
Brethren, today's Gospel reading presents to us the attentiveness of God to every aspect of our being. Jesus tells us not to fear those who kill the body and do nothing more but to fear the one who kills both the body and the soul and then casts us into hell. He assures us of God's divine protection and providence; if he can protect and provide for the sparrows, how much will he provide for us, we who are greater than many sparrows. Jesus in a way is encouraging us to put all our trust in God and in his providence and fear nothing other than him.
As Christians we are called to not be afraid of anything especially in our witness to Jesus. The martyrs whom we venerate in the church are good examples of those who feared nothing but God even to the extent of giving their lives for the sake of the kingdom and saving their souls. This is also our invitation today. We might not go around looking for martyrdom, but we have to remove fear in witnessing the gospel, in doing what is good, challenging what is contrary to the gospel, standing against what violates human life, human dignity and human rights and above all in living a virtuous life. Therefore, despite insults, rejection, intimidation, discouragements and threats, let us continue to witness Christ in our lives not only in the way we live but also in our words and actions.
St. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, whose feast we celebrated few days ago, understood this gospel passage very well. When he was arrested and then transported to Rome, where death by lions awaited him, he wrote letters to some of the Christian communities he passed through during his journey, most notably the Christian community in Rome. He urges the Romans to do him no “untimely charity” of interceding with the emperor to spare him from execution. He writes to them, “I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable goodwill towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality, it will be granted me to attain to God” (Letter to the Romans). When Christ speaks of having no fear of those who kill the body but after that can do no more, he means it quite literally. If we encounter a situation in which we must either be faithful to Christ or cave into pressure and abandon the path of the Lord, we should never hesitate. Follow Christ. Do not fear those who might “kill” by their criticism or disapproval of our rectitude of conscience. Do not be afraid.
God is surely always attentive to every sacrifice we make in witnessing to him, and close to us in all that we do and throughout our whole life though sometimes we may feel that he is distant from us. It’s important to remember that whenever we have this feeling, it’s only a feeling and not reality. Reality is that God is infinitely more attentive to the details of our lives than we could ever realize. In fact, He’s far more attentive to us than we are attentive to ourselves! And not only is He attentive to every detail, but He is also deeply concerned about every detail.
Why we may feel that God is distant at times is perhaps that there could be many reasons for this, but we should be certain that there is always a reason. Perhaps we are not listening to Him and not praying as we should and thus, we are missing His attentiveness and guidance. Perhaps He has chosen to remain silent in a matter as a way of drawing us closer to Himself. Perhaps His silence is actually a very clear sign of His presence and His will.
Reflect, today, upon the fact that regardless of how we may feel at times we must be certain of the truth of today’s gospel. “You are worth more than many sparrows.” God has even counted the hairs on your head. And every part of your life is fully present to Him. Allow these truths to give you consolation and hope knowing that this attentive God is also a God of perfect love and mercy and will provide for you all that you need in life.
Let us Pray.
Almighty God, help always to a truthful life and a life of fear of you alone so that every day of my life I may rely on your divine providence and protection. Amen.
Be blessed.
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