Be glad you lowly ones; may your hearts be glad! — Psalm 69:33

Mass Readings: Genesis 49:29-32; 50:15-26 / Matthew 10:24-33 

Seen and Loved 

Today the Church honors St. Augustine Zhao Rong and his companions. St. Augustine was a soldier who, after baptism, became a diocesan priest. His “companions” are a 120 martyrs who died between 1638 and 1930 This group included very different individuals — Chinese and foreign-born, lay and religious, children and adults — but God saw each one of them and assured each of His love. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells His apostles not to fear those who can kill the body and assures them that not even a sparrow falls without God’s knowledge. I remember a children’s hymn which started, “God sees the little sparrow fall” and concluded, “If God so loves the little birds, I know He loves me, too.” Today, He sees you and He loves you! 

Prayer: Father, help us to trust in You, who see and love us all.