His Eye is On the Sparrow

 

Why should I feel discouraged / Why should the shadows come /
Why should my heart feel lonely / And long for heaven and home /
When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He /
His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches over me /

I sing because I'm happy / I sing because I'm free /
His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me

“His Eye is On the Sparrow,” 

Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel 

 

For several years I was a parishioner at a predominately Black Catholic parish in Oklahoma.  Of the many things I loved about this community, the gorgeous music sung by the Gospel choir every Sunday stood out.  They sang a range of songs from Negro spirituals to contemporary hymns more familiar in predominately white parishes.  My favorite is the hymn above, “His Eye is On the Sparrow.” 

 

The house sparrow is one of the most common animals in the world—so familiar and so small that it is easy to ignore.  Yet Jesus assures us in the Gospel passage that this song is inspired by that not one sparrow “falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.”  How much more so for us?  “Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).  

 

The history of Black Catholics has been a story of struggle.  And yet, with great faith the choir sings, “why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come?  Jesus is my portion!”  

 

Questions

Have I considered the ways that Black Catholics have enriched the American Church?  Do I share in their faith that the Father’s eye is always on me?  

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray for you to keep watch over us just as you do the sparrow.  Keep us from feeling discouraged and dispel the shadows of our doubt.