psalm 84 - the sparrow and swallow - 23rd week friday 2016

Psalm 84 is a popular psalm.  In this psalm two birds are mentioned:  the sparrow and the swallow: Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest in which she puts her young— in Your altars, O LORD of hosts!

Why mention in particular the sparrow?  The sparrow is a common bird.  Jesus mentions it twice.  So it must be very common in that area.  In Matthew Jesus asked:  "Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?  But you are worth more than many sparrows." Then in Luke Jesus asked, "Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins?" Whenever sparrows are mentioned their insignificance is highlighted, they are not worth anything.  And yet in this psalm they find a place in God's house.  In God's house they can find a home where they are safe and where they feel valued.

One may feel insignificant and useless but in the house of God one can discover a wonderful sense of purpose.

The swallow is also mentioned in this psalm.  They are the swiftest of birds, one can see them darting about everywhere like lightning as they dash from one corner of your eye to the other.  In the house of God however they are different.  In the house of God, the psalm mentions that the swallow can find a home where she could settle and rest, where she could perch and quietly lay on her eggs.  In the house of God this restless bird can raise her young undisturbed and secure. 

So too for the restless.  In the house of God the restless can find rest.  The anxious can find security and assurance.  Those who are afraid can find comfort in God's loving assurance of tender care.  "Come to me, Jesus says, and I will give you rest."

Are you in the house of God?  Do you find yourself within these four walls "in the house of God"? Do we make an effort to make our communities "the house of God" where the insignificant feel valued, where the restless feel safe, secure and at rest?

The gospel tells us to be real brothers and sisters to each other – not judgmental and critical of each other, but to be sincerely concerned for each other, to make this church and this parish community a house of God where the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest.