So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
Matthew 10:31-32
Have you ever listened to a conversation happening in a public place and wanted to join in but felt it would be way too awkward? Did you feel as if you were on the periphery, looking in, but couldn't quite work up the nerve to actually ask? What if that happens in your work or your school, or even your church? This Gospel passage speaks of proclaiming from the housetops the message of God's love for us all, and yet sometimes we cannot even manage to say hello to a stranger because they look too different, or maybe we are so preoccupied we do not notice. Or we are afraid.
Fear is what prevents us from sharing the message of love to those we come across and yet do not know. Fear does not mean we are to be unwise or gullible, but if we have the relationship with our God who knows our every movement and all about us, who wonderfully made us to love Him in return, then we should not let our "fears" prevent us from speaking out when we feel called to share the Gospel. It requires an ongoing spiritual relationship through prayer and holy silence that will enable us to walk without "fear" or preoccupation to actually encounter those we meet.
