Sermon On The Sparrows Of Life

Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist once remarked: “Look at the sparrows; they do not know what they will do in the next moment. Let us literally live from moment to moment.” Matthew 6:26 reminds us: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

A sparrow is defined as a common bird of flight and song. Like most avifaunas, sparrows are built for flying, with hollow bones and wings designed for maneuverability. They are known for their agility and rapid take-off capabilities, though not necessarily for sustained high-speed flight. Sparrows, particularly House Sparrows are also known to hop rather than walk, as it's a more energy-efficient way for them to move on the ground. It is a small Old World bird related to the weaver birds, typically with brown and grey plumage.

House Sparrows, are a common feature of life, especially in urban and suburban areas. They are one of the most widespread and abundant bird species globally. Their close association with humans and ability to thrive in various environments, including cities, contribute to their prevalence. While House Sparrows are still one of the UK's most common birds, their numbers have significantly declined in recent decades. Once incredibly widespread, they are now considered a red-listed species due to conservation concerns.

Sparrows, despite their small size, hold diverse symbolic meanings across cultures, often representing resilience, adaptability, and joy. Sparrows, like many other songbirds, can be observed flying at dawn. While they are primarily diurnal (active during the day), some birds, including sparrows, engage in nocturnal migration or may be active at dawn due to factors like redirected migration or disturbance. As such they can reflect the new dawn and its illumination. They can also symbolize love, freedom, community, and even hope, particularly in the face of adversity. In the Bible, sparrows are used as a symbol of God's care and provision for all of creation, even the seemingly insignificant. Jesus uses the example of sparrows to teach his followers not to worry because they are more valuable to God than many sparrows.

Sparrows live for the present. They play several helpful roles in the environment. They act as natural pest controllers by eating insects, including many that are harmful to crops, and they also contribute to pollination by spreading pollen as they forage for food. Additionally, sparrows help maintain the balance of the food chain and their presence can be an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. Sparrows, like other animals, experience the current moment. They react to immediate stimuli like the presence of food, predators, or potential mates. While sparrows, like all living creatures, experience a continuous present, they are not solely living from moment to moment. They exhibit planning and memory, such as remembering food sources, choosing nesting sites, and engaging in complex social interactions.

The sparrow is often regarded as a symbol of freedom, happiness and nonchalance. Sparrows are not generally associated with fear. Instead, they are often seen as symbols of good luck, resilience, and even spiritual connection. While some folklore might relate them to death or misfortune, this is not the dominant or widespread interpretation. Whether death should be feared is a deeply personal question with no universally correct answer.

Fear of death is a natural human emotion, but many philosophies and religions suggest that it's not something to be dreaded, but rather accepted as a part of life. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to fear death is considered a personal one, influenced by individual beliefs, experiences, and worldview.

Death is considered by many to be a gateway to new life. Some religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, believe in reincarnation, where death is a transition to a new life in a different form. Others, like Christianity and Islam, believe in an afterlife, such as heaven or paradise, following death. Some individuals, including those who have experienced near-death experiences, also report encountering a sense of transition or a different realm after death.

However, death can sometimes occur from martyrism. Matthew 10:26-33 is a passage where Jesus encourages his disciples to not be afraid of persecution for their faith, emphasizing God's care and their eternal value. He assures them that their message will eventually be revealed and that their actions in proclaiming it are significant to God. It reminds us: “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”