Friday, November 16, 2018
YOU COUNT
Hi There !
You count.
You really do!
So does the way you count.
Too often, though,
neither counts for much
in our digitized culture.
In some ways most of us
are more a number
than anything else,
more than even a name,
much less a noteworthy "One."
Our Social Security number is used
to officially identify us
even before our name,
before anything about
the "One" we actually are.
In the doctor's office, or at the pharmacy,
computer at hand, the first question is
the numbers of our birth date.
Then of course, it's the numbers of our
credit, health, ATM cards that identify us.
All this adds up to a deficit.
The net effect of being a number
causes a deep down,
often barely conscious sense
that we don't count for all that much.
Facebook and it's media cousins
make their money
by providing a platform
where a lot of people
who feel discounted can perform a bit,
strut their stuff in an effort
to count for something,
to count as a significant some-"One."
For all the impersonality
of our numbered culture,
we all count beyond count and cosmically so,
even if we can't count on our numbered culture
to factor us in as of divine significance.
It's essential to regularly take
some Soul Time with that,
to meditate and sense how we really do count
and what that means, means for us,
and what we mean for creation, for others,
and what we mean to God.
John Duns Scotus,
the medieval mystic and theologian,
emphasized that each "One" of us
is deliberately and uniquely created
on purpose by God as the "One" we are.
Now, that sure counts!!!
There was an attempt to cancel out Jesus,
reduce him to a zero,
yet no "One" ever counted more
in all of human history.
Think how much "One" woman counts -
the "One" who brought us to life.
A healthy, authentic spirituality is founded
on the divine worth of each "One" of us.
It is also based on the divine worth
of every other "One."
We find ourselves uniquely "One"
and essential "One" with all other "Ones"
in the the spaciousness of God's
ONENESS.
There's marvelous mystery
and divine paradox
all over the ledger of reality,
(or should that be
"the spread sheet" of reality?)
There's a dear tale that says it
better than I know how.
It's as simple as the integrity of "One."
It seems our dear friend, Augustine,
sinner and saint, thinker, theologian,
was walking along the ocean shore
way over there in long ago Northern Africa.
Countless star fish had been washed up
on the shore and were dying on the beach
in the bright sunlight.
A young boy was picking them up one at time,
wading into the sea a bit
and returning each one there
and to continued life.
Given the sheer number
of stranded star fish on the beach,
ever pragmatic Augustine asked the boy
what good was returning this one
and that one to the sea.
The boy smiled and said,
"It's good for each one saved."
Each "One" counted,
and so did that "One" boy
and his counting.
On the shore and in the sea of our living,
we count, and so does how we count.
Thanks for your good company, every
"One."
Holding you in
God's Dear and Oceanic Love,
John Frank
*****
A pleasant and delicious
Thanksgiving
to you and your family.
*****
MEDITATION MOMENTS
"So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up
that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret
that will not become known...
Do not fear those kill the body
but cannot kill the soul...
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?
Yet not one of them falls to the round
apart from your Father.
And even the hairs of your head are all counted.
So do not be afraid...
(Matthew 10: 26, 28a, 9, 31a)
*****
How good to have new folks joining in each week here at
"frankly speaking"
spirituality for the street.
Welcome.
Thank you for choosing to be with us.
If you can spare the time,
please take that time with
What's Going On Here?
and
Consider Your Source.
Both are in the right column of the online posting.
They would give a bit of orientation to
"frankly speaking".
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johnfrankshares.blogspot.com
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Thank You
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