This past Wednesday was the National Indigenous People’s Day. In 1996, this observance was assigned to June 21 because the summer solstice is significant in Indigenous spirituality, which recognizes the presence of the sacred in all manifestations of creation, as well as their interconnectedness and value. These ideas are less prominent in Christianity; but, they are present in our own sacred texts, too. To name only a few references, from the two sparrows in today’s gospel, to the single sparrow symbolizing utter loneliness, to pet lambs and companion dogs, swallows allowed to nest in the Temple, and all the wildlife shown to praise God, the biblical writers observed nature, empathized with the creatures, and recognized God providence for it. 

But is the verse about the sparrows only about God’s care? Yes, it applies the tried and true rabbinical technique of logical argumentation called Qal va-homer (“light and heavy”): if the lesser is the case, how much more so would the greater be. Tiny birds were sold very cheaply to poor people for food or temple sacrifices. In nearly identical Lk 12, 5 sparrows are sold for 2 small coins; yet God “remembers” even that 5th, little, expendable bird, thrown in as a bargain. Likewise, earlier in Matt 6, the birds of the air do not sow or reap, and the flowers of the field do not labor or spin; yet, God provides their food and clothing. However, I could never grasp the logic that if “not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s knowledge” then we are “not to fear.” 

Despite the poignancy of the familiar poem that says “his eyes are on the sparrow, and I know he watches me” (C. D. Martin), written about a chronically ill yet cheerful child, I actually feel worse that God knows about our troubles, and does nothing to help. Is he watching me just to see if my faith is good enough? The context for this verse is that Jesus describes all the bad things that will inevitably happen to his followers when they go to tell people about him, with a warning that something worse may happen in the afterlife to those who do not follow. How are we not to fear? Likewise, the lilies and birds that have food and clothing are only a preamble to the beloved verse, “do not worry about tomorrow, for it will care for itself.” This, too, gives more of a warning than comfort: if my faith “should” make me well, then does my worry signify moral failure?

To me, a more constructive way to read this passage is that it is not, or at least is not only, about God’s providence. Instead, what God knows well and always sees is our finitude, not our difficulties. Even as we worry, respond to suffering with anger, or fail to cope, God’s love never fades. So it’s not the pain that we should never worry about; it’s the idea that we might somehow lose our value in God’s eyes. This to me seems to be an answer to the question, “what is human that God cares for him?” (Ps 8), posed by the psalmist, but really, only stating the obvious, ever-present, shared anxiety of all humans over our standing with God, which the scripture as a whole strives to address. 

This means, first, that the young, elderly, disabled, or those who do not seem to “contribute” to the society help build God’s kingdom in their own ways, “in secret” (Matt 6). Second, those whom we regard as “the other” – those of different religions, races, sexual orientation, political or theological convictions – have equal value to us. As for that scary reference to hell in Matt 10, humans seem much quicker to send others there than God does, whenever we judge people in order to feel better about ourselves. And third, if you notice all those “successful” people – powerful as eagles, beautiful as peacocks, graceful as swans, wise as owls – who never seem to have to worry about tomorrow, remember than on the inside, they might well be feeling just like that odd, small, expendable, non-unique “5th sparrow”. So whenever you worry that your plate is too full of life’s responsibilities, consider that our ultimate value does not depend on our ability to get it all done. Maybe, it’s not only ok but wise to, periodically, choose some areas of deliberate failure. What will it be over this warm, lazy, relaxed month of July? Perhaps, house work, weight or exercise goals, career progress… The hack to not worrying might just be that there is no life balance – only the right kind of an imbalance! 

To summarize, whether it’s 2 or 5 sparrows, to me, this verse isn’t about learning to cope without fear, or why bad things happen to good people despite God’s knowledge. It is about God alone determining the worth of all creatures – not the human judgment of self, or of others. None of our difficulties should be taken as evidence that God stops caring, punishes, or chooses not to “elect” us. And none of the limitations or “otherness” of those around us should be used by us to determine their value. Finally, as we go out into the beauty of this midsummer afternoon, may we recognize the sacredness of the entire living world, with which we partner to shine forth the glory of God on earth as we head together towards the ultimate perfection of the New Creation. Thanks be to God.

For further thought:

1. Sometimes, it’s hard for us to read about God’s providence, such as
   that we are more valuable than the two sparrows, when it does not seem to come through in our lives in ways for which we pray and hope. Do you take comfort in that at least nothing happens without God’s knowledge, or does it make it more difficult for you? That is, if God knows what is about to happen and doesn’t seem to intervene — in a way that’s even worse! But… perhaps, we will never know what bad things he did prevent (since we were saved from experiencing them)?
2. What is your favorite reference to nature or animal in the Bible?
   What feelings, associations, or thoughts does it evoke for you?
3. How do you understand the word “sacred” or “holy”? Is nature sacred? In what ways?