Our Daily Bread: Rom 4:1-8; Luke 12:1-7

Hedwig, religious; Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin
You are worth more than many sparrows.

This is one of the most comforting lines in scripture, but it is in a not-so-comforting context. Luke tells us not to be afraid of physical suffering and death, not because God will prevent them, but because physical suffering and death is not the ultimate harm. The loss of eternal life — this is the ultimate harm from which God will protect the loyal disciple. Paul speaks in the language of an accountant, no doubt influenced by his work in the tent-making business. It is laughable that we would count credits of virtue in our favor against our debt. If we could only perceive how much we are loved, there would be no counting, only blissful self-forgetfulness.

*Lord Jesus, show me how to love without counting the cost.