Worth Many Sparrows – Reflection on Matthew 10:24-33
Jesus’s metaphor of our value as “worth many sparrows” is hard to appreciate without the context tradition of sacrificial offerings. A way of looking at the value of our worth is that the “other side” wants our body, mind, and soul. Most often, this appears in disturbances, temptations, and excess desires. These subtleties pull us away; however, we can learn to reach toward Christ’s love when we identify the negatives in the situation. When we do so and continue to grow in faith, knowing that Christ is there for us, God may slowly give us independence from the consolations given of success. Faith can fill us with valuable divine light so intense that the sinister forces of the world cannot penetrate our Father’s protection. Our belief in divinity creates willing participation in a lifelong and arduous conditioning process to counter the forces that would harm us. We are each ordained to prepare to do what we can by our example of helping to push against evil so that heaven’s door remains open.
Ordaining of the Twelve Apostles by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 10:24-33 – Scripture (NRSV Bible)
24 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
Whom to Fear
26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 10:24-33 Reflection – Worth Many Sparrows.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections of the Gospel readings or other contemplative material to this Web-based ministry? Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Matthew 10.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Worth many Sparrows
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.