Note: Pastor Jane shared this brief reflection before a sermon-time camp songs sing-along on June 21.

Today’s scripture is part of a longer passage in which Jesus was preparing his disciples to go out in all directions to heal, teach, and liberate people.

It’s not a cheery commissioning. They will face persecution, simply for showing love and building community. Empire, aligned with corrupt religious leaders, will try to silence them. Their opponents will spread lies about them, seeking to discredit their work. Their own families will be torn apart by conflict and stress.
In the face of threats like these, fear wants us to stay small and quiet, so that we won’t be noticed. Fear demands we don’t rock the boat. Fear brings out the worst in us.

Jesus calls his disciples to resist the pull of fear, to speak boldly and act courageously, to expose injustice and confront corruption.
Obeying to our fear will not protect us. Instead, we can trust God to be with us and community to have our backs.

Jesus used the analogy of two sparrows sold as a scant meal for a poor person. God sees the plight of all vulnerable creatures, sparrows and humans alike. God holds sacred and tends with care the lives of all who are treated as if they are disposable.

As we sing together today, let us remember that we are engaging in a spiritual practice that can ground us to live with courage and hope in a dangerous, difficult world. Singing calm and soothes us. Singing offers a steadying rhythm that gives us endurance over the long haul. Signing brings unity and forms beloved community.