light. What you hear in private, proclaim from the housetops.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but have no power to kill the soul. Rather, be
afraid of him who can destroy both body and soul in hell. For a few cents you can buy two
sparrows. Yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing. As for you,
every hair of your head has been counted. Do not be afraid: you are worth more than
many sparrows!

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.
Whoever rejects me before others, I will reject before my Father in heaven.

READ: Today’s readings offer comfort in times of distress. Jeremiah, facing
persecution, trusts that the Lord will protect him. Paul reminds the Romans that
though sin and death seem to prevail, they will not have the final word. And
Jesus assures his disciples that God’s loving concern will never end and that he
will watch over and protect them.

REFLECT: What is a human life worth? Actuaries are charged with coming up
with specific amounts for insurance and legal settlements. They usually base their
figures on age, education, and earning power, because these are the things that
society values. But Jesus reminds us that we are of infinite value to the Father who
has counted every hair of our heads. Following his example, we should respect
each human life, no matter how vulnerable, from the unborn child in the womb
to the addict to the beggar in the street to the elderly person facing death alone.
Each one is precious in the Father’s sight and deserving of our loving concern,
protection of the law, and all they need to live in dignity.

PRAY: Lord, help me to see people with your eyes and to treasure every human life.

ACT: Consider giving time or money to efforts that aid the vulnerable.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2023