Jesus’ words “by your perseverance you will secure your lives” call to mind the experiences of birds as they make a seasonal migration. Multiple times a year various species of birds travel thousands of miles in response to changes in food availability, habitat, or climate. Despite the threat of predators and exhaustion, every bird is biologically cued to make the migration with its species. During these migrations, many species work together as a team. Large birds, for instance, will often travel in a V-formation to help individuals save 12 to 20 percent of the energy they would need to fly alone. In some species birds will accompany an individual bird to the ground if it is falling to its death during the migration. The reading today seems to be not so much about surviving as an individual or a community but more about working together toward the common good. Just as every species of bird reacts to its environment to determine when it is time for migration, we as humans react to problems in our world and attempt to solve them. Jesus warns us that although these issues will always arise, it is up to us to use his teachings to work through them and make the world a better place.
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Lateran Basilica