Sparrows

Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! “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.” (Matthew 10:24-33)

We are all worthy, unless we call others Beelzebul.  According to Wikipedia, “Beelzebub or Beelzebul is a name derived from a Philistine god, formerly worshipped in Ekron, and later adopted by some Abrahamic religions as a major demon. The name Beelzebub is associated with the Canaanite god Baal. In theological sources, predominantly Christian, Beelzebub is another name for Satan.” 

When we call others Beelzebul, we are holding up mirrors to ourselves.  We speak in darkness, not the light.  We whisper in conspiratorial ways with Beelzebul.  Our actions erode our souls and put them at risk.  

We are all sparrows, and God knows each and everyone of us.  For this reason, we must not deny anyone, meaning we must understand they are of equal value to us in the eyes of God who we acknowledge before all others.  Our eyes should see this as well.  Closed eyes create darkness.  Open eyes see the light.

Deacon David Pierce