SAINT CALLISTUS I, POPE AND MARTYR (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Does Jesus seem to contradict himself in today’s Gospel? He first tells the disciples not to fear anyone who has the power to harm them bodily but instead to fear God, the One who has power to cast them into Gehenna (Luke 12:5). But then in this same passage, he just as emphatically tells them how precious they are to his heavenly Father. How do we make sense of this progression from a warning to fear God to a warm assurance of God’s tender love?

Clearly, God isn’t out to condemn us—that’s not the kind of God he is. Jesus himself said that he was sent into the world not to condemn it but to save it (John 3:17; 12:47). But Jesus also wants us to know that there are consequences to our actions that can lead us to lose the gift of eternal life. This is far worse, he warns, than losing our natural life.

So should we be afraid of God? Not if we understand what Jesus has done for us through his death and resurrection. Because we are fallen human beings, we will sin, and perhaps even act hypocritically at times as some of the Pharisees did (Luke 12:1). But through Jesus, our Father has offered us the gift of salvation. When we recognize our sin and turn to him in repentance, he floods us with his mercy. This is how much God loves us and longs to be close to us—both now and forever!

Jesus uses two striking images to show us how precious we are to his Father. If God notices five sparrows that sell for just two small coins, of course he will notice us, the crown of his creation! And more than just notice us, he knows us so intimately that he has counted every hair on our heads (Luke 12:6-7). These are images we can keep close to our hearts whenever we are tempted to fear God’s condemnation or doubt that he will forgive us.

God doesn’t want to lose you—or anyone else, for that matter. He treasures you too much. With such a loving Father, you have nothing to fear!

“Thank you, Jesus, for showing me how precious I am to my Father in heaven.”

Ephesians 1:11-14
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
Luke 12:1-7