Today is haircut day. The apron I wear as I sit in the barber chair is covered with little shavings of white hair. When the haircut is over, the barber removes the apron and shakes it out, spreading those hairs all over the floor. Then he sweeps the floor and throws my shorn hair into the trash. God has counted all the hairs of my head (Mt 10:30), even those that are of no account and were cast into the trash.

Jesus had His disciples pick up the leftover loaves and fishes and collect them in twelve wicker baskets (Mk 6:43). Nothing was insignificant to Jesus.

As Pope Francis often says, we live in a throwaway culture. Secular society treats so much as disposable and not worthy of regard: aborted babies (except for their body parts), the aged who are past the age of productivity, the unprofitable, etc. Yet Jesus taught that "all are alive for Him" (Lk 20:38).

Jesus recycles people who have been discarded (see 2 Cor 5:17). He fertilizes the unfruitful over and over and pours out His grace continually upon them, even though others regard them as mere clutter (see Lk 13:7-9). Our trash is Jesus' treasure. Jesus takes the most unloved, heals and forgives them, restores their souls (Ps 23:3), and creates a masterpiece out of their lives.

Even if you have thrown away your life, give yourself now to Jesus. Nothing is impossible (see Lk 1:37) for the God Who treasures every hair of your head and refuses to discard you.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 22, 2017

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.