Jon Guerra sings, ‘I See the Birds’. How does this song speak to you of God’s care for you?

Do not be anxious about your life

I heard you say to me

You dress the lilies

You leave the weeds

The sower of the seed

Am I in charge of my own mind

Or is it in charge of me?

I see the birds up in the air

I know you feed them

I know you care

So won't you teach me

How I mean more to you than them

In times of trouble

Be my help again

You've held me sturdy

You've led me on

Through years of joy and grief

So don't you leave me

All on my own

You know me, Lord

I'm weak

I see the birds up in the air

I know you feed them

I know you care

So won't you teach me

How I mean more to you than them

In times of trouble

Be my help again

Oh, be my help again

Don't you worry, child

Don't you worry, child

He won't leave you by yourself

In times of trouble, he's your help

Don't you worry, child

Don't you worry, child

He won't leave you by yourself

In times of trouble, he's your help

Don't you worry, child

Don't you worry, child

He won't leave you by yourself

In times of trouble, he's your help

He won't leave you by yourself

In times of trouble, he's your help

I'm letting go of my own life

I'm letting go again

I see the birds up in the air

I know you feed them

I know you care

So won't you teach me

How I mean more to you than them

In times of trouble

Be my help again

Be ever present

Lord, won't you be my closest friend

In times of trouble

Be my help again

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 10:28-33

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

As we begin our time of prayer, we mark the feast of St Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was martyred in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Our reading begins with the words of Jesus, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

Take a moment to let these perhaps startling but also reassuring words sink in.

Jesus continues to describe the great care of his heavenly Father; as one who even notices when sparrows fall...and as one who has counted the number of hairs on your head...

What does it mean to you to know that God cares deeply for you in every aspect of your life?

We might feel surprised or overwhelmed by this incredible care of our heavenly Father, or perhaps full of gratitude, bring your response now to God in a moment of quiet.

As you listen to the reading again, try to imagine that the Lord is saying these words to you personally.

Matthew 10:28-33

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

Twice in the reading, Jesus encourages us not to fear, so as we approach the end of our prayer time today, speak with him about some of the things that make you feel anxious or afraid and imagine that you place these things into the loving care of the one who counts the hairs on your head.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen