Lisa Barrett: "Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows."

Elizabeth: You are listening to Scripture for Your Inner Outcasts. Today is October 16th, 2026, Friday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time. Today's guest presenter is Lisa Barrett, a psychotherapist based out of Sydney, Australia.

Lisa Barrett: Hello, welcome to Scripture for Your Inner Outcasts for today, 16th of October. The passage that we will be focusing on is from the Gospel of Luke. "Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows." So many of my parts really like this passage, and it's especially speaks to the parts of me that doubt their worth and value, the ones that feel unseen, unheard, and unnoticed. So this is to you who are also feeling this way, or believing that you are not of value, who are feeling afraid, or that nobody sees you, so you must not be worth much. And just notice how this passage or message speaks to you. Not one sparrow has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs on your head have been counted. He knows every little detail of you inside and out and values you so much. And I know it's hard to believe when you have experienced so much rejection, exclusion, and abandonment, not being chosen by others. And in life, these are very hard experiences. In fact, so hard that you get exiled because it's so hard for others inside to even be with these hurts and pains that you hold, which makes it even worse, right? Like nobody cares or even wants to see you.

Lisa Barrett: And maybe you figure out that you're supposed to be ashamed of yourself when you get shamed or exiled by others, when they don't see you or can't be with you, can't be with your emotions. They can't handle them, and they can't handle your big feelings or your big ideas. It really sucks. And it's so lonely. I bet you wonder if even God understands or sees or cares sometimes. And that totally makes sense. Maybe you wonder, how could he know all the hairs on your head when you seem to be invisible to others? How could he care for you more than the sparrows when others don't even include you? It doesn't make sense. But it's because he sees you and knows you. That he, more than anyone, including yourself, knows and understands precisely how precious and valuable you are. He knows you so intimately, and he chooses you even if you can't believe it right now, maybe you can see if you are open to the idea, the possibility of this being true, or maybe just even to imagine how it would be if it were true. Sometimes this is the best place to start, especially when you have been feeling worthlessness or shame or pain for so long. Small steps are important. You are allowed to do things at your speed and in your time. God cares for you for every hair on your head and he is not going anywhere.

Elizabeth: The Resilient Catholics Community is an online community of Catholics who are journeying to deepen our human formation. Registration for the current cohort is open for just two more weeks, ending on October 31st. You can learn more below.

Lisa Barrett: Mother Mary, Untier of Knots, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist, pray for us.