RBWords

     The price of sparrows must have been different in Luke's community than in Matthew's community.  Luke has them at five for two coins and Matthew at two for one coin.  But the image in both gospels is part of Jesus instructions to his disciples.  The Gospel According to Luke was clearly written to encourage a community under persecution.  The disciples are urged to keep in mind that God's providence is continually with them as they cope with the challenges of preaching in areas where both religious and civil authorities will prosecute them.  The message of Jesus must not become a secret of a small religious sect.  It must be proclaimed from the housetops.  God's providence will be with them in every respect  "Even the hairs of your head have all been counted!"  

     Christianity still faces persecution in some parts of the world, and some Christian authorities have themselves persecuted other faiths.  In our own country's history, Catholics and Mormons have been attacked.  There is a kind of secular/civil faith in our land that is called "patriotism" and once in awhile there is tension between that civil faith and religious faiths.  I recommend reading Jon Meacham's recent book AMERICAN GOSPEL to understand the roots of the difference between secular "faith" and religious faith in the USA.

     Christians have been martyred because they refused to bow to "Caesar."  Catholics do not face martyrdom in the USA, but Catholic institutions have been challenged because they refuse to engage in conduct supported by secular authority.  Standing firm in the face of that secular authority puts us in the same situation as Luke's community.  We are more important than sparrows, but those little birdies can remind us of God's providence when we put faith first.  AMEN