the hairs on my head

Jesus said to the Twelve (and to us in Today's Gospel):

“Fear no one.
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.”

I remember being 5 years old in religious ed and being told that God knew even how many hairs were on my head. I must admit, this freaked me out! What if one fell to the ground (like a sparrow), did he know that? What if I pretended to pull two out but only pulled one out instead, would he know that??? (Yes I was a strange child, testing God even then, although some might say I was/am just inquisitive.)

My image of God these days is less all knowing tall white man with a flowing beard in the sky, floating on a cloud looking down with a clipboard keeping track of such things. It's more loving creator inviting me on the journey to live a life of love as well. Perhaps that's why this now makes sense to me. I know that Jesus is using examples that will get through the thick heads of those disciples of his (and us). Perhaps God is keeping track of what my hair follicles are doing - who knows. But I no longer think that's the point of Jesus' story. Instead, it helps me realize just how much God loves us (and the sparrows too!). And it invites me to open my heart as well.

Ok, there's my random scriptural thought for the day!

Happy Sunday!