For The Sparrows Among Us

“Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may lay her young,

at your altars, O LORD of hosts,

my King and my God” (Psalm 84:3).

The altar was at the center of the Old Testament temple. It was the place where justice and mercy would meet with everyone watching. Everything settled, everyone healed. These are fine ideas until I apply them to my specific issues, the things I know, or fear, about myself. Things I want to hide.At least doves and pigeons could be used for a sacrifice - swallows had nothing to offer. So here is a picture of vulnerability lying on the ground where the dangerous fire of justice and hope for mercy stomp around together, and it’s exactly what we need. 

Then I read about this swallow nurturing her young at the corner of the altar and I think about how dirty and useless a swallow was. There’s a reason we don’t want birds building nests on our porch; they’re a mess. I’’m a mess, and there’s a place for me.

In August of 2001 Atlantic writer David Hajdu went to see Wynton Marsalis play in a small NYC club. Marsalis played a solo ballad on trumpet. He plays the song and nails it, plays it perfectly, beautifully simple. He gets to the last part and all of a sudden, someone’s cell phone rings. “It was one of those rapid sing songy melody in electronic beats.” People start groaning and nervously picking up their drinks. The person whose phone it was runs out of the room. At that moment, the writer leans over and writes on his napkin, “Magic ruined.” They had forgotten there was a master in the room.

After a moment Marsalis played the phone’s tune. He played it again and then on the third time he added a small variation, which continued until he bent the tune back into the one he had been playing before, but this time it was even more beautiful for the interruption. 

At the foot of the altar there is an excrement-filled nest and a useless bird that has become beautiful simply because it’s allowed a place, because the master can bend it into his beautiful tune.

So what should I do about this right now?

1. Think about what it looks like for your “neighbor” to be brought in that closely.

2. Pray for opportunities to give that invitation.