Pastor Notes June 25, 2023
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June 26, 2023“Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Birds are mentioned over three hundred times in scripture under the general terms, “birds,” “fowl,” and more specifically, “turtle doves,” “pigeons,” “sparrows.” Often linked to a spiritual lesson of some sort, such references are more frequent in the Old Testament. (“God created all the many living things in the sea and every kind of bird that flies in the air. And God saw that this was good. . . . And he blessed the birds. . .and let them multiply.” Genesis 1:21-22). Our culture seems defined by pets we own, feed, protect, and control to a certain extent. But birds hold our attention in a very real and unique manner. We cannot control their movements, domesticate them or call them our pets, exclusively. Yet, the first sighting of robins in the spring, the brazen red feathers of a cardinal spotted in the depth of winter, the sudden cacophony of birds chirping in the first light of dawn, the majestic bald eagle spotted more frequently soaring above, the miraculous fluttering of a hummingbird’s wings at a feeder, the unexpected ‘hoot’ of an unseen great grey owl, the sighting of the bright orange plumage of an Oriole feeding on grape jelly, the distinctive water fowl, or the ring neck pheasant scurrying across the highway just before your car passes, the morning calls of the mourning dove or that of the great imitator, the ‘cat bird.’ Like the state motto of Minnesota (Land of 10,000 Lakes) there are well over ten thousand species of birds. More than anything else, it is there freedom, their intuitive flight patterns, and distinctive size, personality and plumage that draws our attention to these essential creatures of God’s master plan, His Creation. (However, a ripe mulberry bush has a tendency to bring out the messy aspect of God’s special creatures.). So many idioms are associated with our fine feathered friends: “A tough old bird - Birds of a feather stick together - That’s strictly for the birds - As the crow flies - Get your ducks in a row - The eagle has landed - A feather in your cap - Ruffle some feathers - A wild goose chase - Happy as a lark - Take under his wing - Wise as an owl - Fine feathered friend - Crazy as a loon - Proud as a peacock.” And of course, “On a wing and a prayer .” Beyond these well versed and seldom spoken idioms, there is a triumphant saying pertaining to the spiritual relevance of these creatures God brought forth on the fifth day of creation. “Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” With the dire news reaching us from all angles, responsibilities and pace of life that stretches our grasp of the present and future, and the intensive marketing to be someone other than who God created us to be, doubt removes what our faith offers: the Light. In his inaugural address in 1979, after his ‘calling’ to the papacy, Pope John Paul II, shared assuredly the crux of our Catholic-Christian faith. “Do not be afraid. Open, I say open wide the doors for Christ. To His saving power open the boundaries.” And later at World Youth Day in Denver in 1993 Pope John Paul II shared a continuation of his contention of the all-encompassing Light of our faith. “Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known. . . .Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. . . .I plead with you, never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”
At St. John Paul II Catholic School in Houston, Texas, their motto reflects Christ’s message in the gospel, so strongly reflected in our late Pope’s advocacy:
Be not afraid. . .to live your faith. Be not afraid. . .to be kind to all your classmates [neighbors]. Be not afraid. . .to say, ‘I don’t know’ and ask for help. Be not afraid . . .of challenges, embrace them. Be not afraid. . .to be confident Catholics. Be not afraid. . .to have a giving heart. Be not afraid. . .because Christ is with you forever.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” (Langston Hughes, a favorite poet of mine)