An Ode to SISTER ACT 2 and His Eye Is On the Sparrow; Isaiah 40:1-11

Rev. George Miller
Dec 8, 2019
Isaiah 40:1-11

A few years ago, I developed a theory: there are 2 kinds of people in America- those who prefer SISTER ACT 1 and those who prefer SISTER ACT 2.

SISTER ACT is a movie in which Whoopi Goldberg poses as a nun and teaches the sisters to sing songs like “I Will Follow Him.”

SISTER ACT 2 features Whoopi teaching inner city youth how to sing modern day versions of “Oh Happy Day” and “Joyful, Joyful.”

Those of us who are disciples of pt. 2 can testify that it’s CD was the soundtrack of our generation and the film’s influence is all over music videos and tv shows.

Perhaps the heart of SISTER ACT 2 is “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”.

In this scene, two young ladies are singing at the piano. One says to the other “Your voice is amazing. You could be selling out stadiums.”

To which the other says “Na-ah girl. This gift is for God only.”

A sentiment that has always stayed with me.

“His Eye Is On the Sparrow” was on the gospel channel all the time, and even after all these years, when it comes on, you just stop…and soak it in.

Yes, there are those who prefer SISTER ACT and there are those who prefer SISTER ACT 2.

In the children’s facility I worked in, there was no guessing which one the kids liked the most.

We were always watching the VHS copy of pt. 2; we were always playing the CD and singing along.

And no wonder- the kids could relate and the characters looked like them.

What did it mean for a neglected child in the system to hear and sing along to a song that dares to say “His eye is on the sparrow; and I know He watches me.”

Why a sparrow? Why of all the kinds of birds there are, did the songwriter choose a sparrow?

Why not an eagle? Why not a sandhill crane? Why not a vulture?

Now that I’m older, I can appreciate why. “God’s Eye Is On the Eagle” wouldn’t work because by their very nature, eagles attract respect and awe.

It’s hard not to go “Wow” when an eagle flies by.

A sand-hill crane wouldn’t work because they capture your attention the moment they walk onto your lawn or into the road.

Sandhill cranes literally stop traffic, so of course God sees them.

Vultures? Any of us driving along Florida’s country roads are always keeping our eye out for them because you never want one to hit your windshield.

But sparrows? Do we even notice? Do we pay attention when they appear? When they come and when they go?

Has a sparrow ever made you say “wow!”?

Has a sparrow ever made you stop your car?

No. Sparrows are in many ways the most insignificant, ignored creature of the air.

They don’t stand out in the snow like cardinals. They don’t knock-knock-knock like woodpeckers. They don’t swoop down like hawks.

Sparrows are just sparrows; and if one goes missing, who even notices?

And THAT’S the power of the song.

It’s a bold, beautiful statement that God sees, God hears, God knows even the most seemingly invisible and insignificant.

No wonder such a song and movie could have so much power for those in foster care because if anything, for 2 hours they were affirmed that they were seen and they mattered to God.

What hope. What peace. What comfort.

“Comfort, O comfort”- the opening words to today’s reading.

These are much welcomed words.

“Comfort, O comfort.” What a soothing expression to hear; a balm to the ears and heart.

These are words offered to people who have gone through so much; words spoken to people who have lost a tremendous amount.

Last week we shared how Jeremiah spoke words to those who were in the beginning stages of a difficult time in which their nation was torn apart and their Temple destroyed.

Today’s words are to the same people but many, many years later, deep into their despair.

They’re scattered all over the world. Some have been kidnapped. Some have run away into hiding. Others have been left behind.

They’ve been treated as worthless, disposable, inconsequential.

In other words, they are now like sparrows.

If ever there was a time when people needed God, if ever there was a time they needed a reminder of who they are, now is the time.

But time passes. They wait. With great anxiety they wait.

Then, one day they hear the voice of the Still Speaking God, and that voices says “Comfort, O comfort.”

And with this voice the possibility of a new future begins to emerge.

The possibility that in the barren land, a highway will be created.

The possibility that hills and other obstacles will be overcome.

The possibility that all of those lost, lonely, afraid, and forgotten, will once again be gathered.

They will once again be a flock.

A flock that is fed, a flock that is gently carried and lovingly led.

A flock in which God will have His eye on each and every one.

As we continue this season of Advent, we continue a time of dark nights and empty lives, of people gone and memories left behind.

We also continue this season of waiting; waiting for the Lord.

Waiting for God to make the covenant known in a new way, by slipping into our flesh and bone as Jesus Christ,

saying to each and every one of us “I know you, I love you, I have not forgotten you.”

Waiting for the birth of Jesus, in which God says “I am with you. I am beside you. And I see you.”

Waiting to be reminded that God’s eye is indeed on us, always, regardless if we are the eagle, the sandhill crane, the vulture.

Or even the tiny, tiny sparrow.

God sees, God watches over, even when we feel discouraged or the shadows come.

In Christ, we have a light that brings with it hope and peace and comfort.

Amen and amen.