The Count Begins

9 Jan

“If you sit down at set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And counting find One self-denying deed, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine where it went –
Then you may count that day well spent.”

~ George Eliot

Today, our “count” begins.  Today is the first day of Ordinary Time.  It literally comes from the word “ordinal”, to count.  What we count are the days to the end of the liturgical year.  This is the first week in Ordinary Time.  We will count through the final week in Ordinary Time before we begin another Church year with the season of Advent.

We have to do more than count, though.  If you will, we have to make each day count.  The day should be filled with some positive good either directed at another or, even, at ourselves.  God wants us to care for all people, ourselves included, and considers the day successful if we have but one moment when we made it special for someone else or used it to improve our own relationship with another person or with God.

When we count the days, we look ahead.  As we do so, let us be mindful of the present day.  It does us no good to look so far ahead that we fail to see the opportunity to do a kindness this very day, to say a word of good cheer this very day, to become a little bit more holy this very day.

God has given us a limited number of days here on this earth.  Let us recognize the goodness of each day and allow the special nature of each day to shine forth in our words and in our deeds.

FAITH ACTION:  What important things are coming up for you in your personal life, family life, and spiritual life?  Make plans and begin preparing for them so that they do not catch you unaware.