Every one of us wants to feel special and important. People do that in so many different ways. Some become people pleasers, making sure that they are noticed for their goodness; others become nosy and intrusive, trying to save the day; and still other do things to stand out in the crowd so they will be singled out and recognized. Most often such recognition is fleeting and so they have to keep trying.
    Today’s gospel reading however gives us a different perspective. Jesus tells the apostles that they should not be afraid or worried because they are inherently special and important in the eyes of God. In this reading Jesus is sending His apostles out to begin their preaching and evangelizing mission. He is warning them that they will encounter roadblocks and obstacles along the way. But He reassures them that the heavenly Father is watching over them.
    Jesus uses the wonderful image of the sparrow, He says they are so plentiful that they seem almost worthless. But He says not a single sparrow falls to the ground that our heavenly Father is not aware of it. How much more, he goes on to say, are we worth than many sparrows and the Father makes sure that not a single hair of our head is harmed.
    Basically Jesus is telling us that we don’t have to do anything extraordinary to become special and important. That is the gift that God our Father gives to us in making us His children and calling us His own. In turn He asks us to treat one another in the same way. Recognizing that we are all children of God, we are special and important in His sight.
    May we celebrate the dignity of our calling.