July 13, 2024, Saturday
St. Henry Read: Is 6: 1-8 Mt 10: 24-33
“Do not fear those who deprive the body of life but cannot destroy the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for next to nothing? Yet not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.” (Mt. 10:28-29)
It is amazing that a tiny mosquito, whose details can be seen only through a microscope, can move itself in flight at will — naturally. If we were to squish the ‘little guy’ with our finger, it would hardly even leave a mark, only a fleeting sign that it was here.
Today’s Gospel speaks of the Divine Providence, or care, that God has toward His creatures.
All creatures of nature have value because they are made by God. Humans were placed by God over all other creatures and things. Only the human being was created for an eternal and marvelous existence: “Fear him who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna…”
We do not exist by chance; we are here to complete God’s plan. He loves us and helps us come to know His eternal plan for us — if we accept with gratitude the call to live in accord with His will.
Before God, we are less than that little ‘bug’ is to us, but we are worth so much more… because the Lord wants it that way. He exalts us.
Reflection and commentary
Psalm 104:24 “How varied are your works, LORD! In wisdom you have wrought them all.”
St. Henry, d. 1024; together with his wife, St. Cunegunda, he assisted the poor; as emperor, respected the Church’s freedom, fostering ecclesiastical and monastic reform; patron of Finland and Benedictine oblates.
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