Around the globe, predictions of a possible bird flu pandemic have made people increasingly fearful of birds. But divine Love has given us the antidote for all fear in this simple text from First John: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." I John 4:18. Clearly, we cannot fear what we love, because fear and love can no more abide together than darkness can abide with light. The only way, then, to silence our fear of birds—or a feeling of indifference toward them—is to love them as our Father loves them. And this is so natural to do when we recognize that our—and their—only real identity, here and now, is the manifestation of perfect Love.
Christ Jesus' love for birds clearly mirrored his Father's. And his teachings show us how to view creation spiritually and understand how divine Love's sweet lesser ideas link us to the greater. See Science and Health, p. 518 . For example, in order to teach the remarkable and tender lesson of reflection, the scientific unity with God through which all our needs are met effortlessly, Jesus pointed to birds, and declared, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them." Matt. 6:26. Also linking to birds the idea of God's recognition of, and love for, each individual, he said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." Matt. 10:29. He even compared his own mothering, unifying love to that of a hen when he said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Matt. 23:37.
Far from being objects of fear, birds, wings, and feathers are used as similes over and over again in the Bible to convey safety, spiritual love, and protection, most notably in the beloved 91st Psalm, where the Psalmist pictures the most High as brooding over His beloved creation. "He shall cover thee with his feathers," he writes, "and under his wings shalt thou trust." Ps. 91:4. According to Mary Baker Eddy, "These two words in Scripture suggest the sweetest similes to be found in any language—rock and feathers," and she spoke of feathers as meaning "covered from the devourer by divine protection and affection." Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 263.
