The Channel Islands Family History Society is always busy.
It seems that, as the number of people on the planet increases, we all become more and more interested in finding an identity - a real identity that will anchor us both in the past and in the present, and somehow map our future.
Some of Jersey's notable people have their monuments and buildings and streets named after them: Phillip Le Vesconte Monument at Trinity (a Christian Connetable in that Parish much loved for his service to his people); Cyril Le Marquand House in the Parade; La Chasse des Demoiselles Bandinel (I often wonder what these ladies looked like on parade in their finery a few centuries ago) at St Martin.
But most of us feel terribly nonpareil - a name used in Jersey for non-proprietary potato fertiliser of unknown origin but that, interestingly, means "without peer" "having no equal".
So even guano with no name can be without equal? Not really - it can only be said to be without equal. But what about people? What about me? Am I without equal?
The answer must be yes. The uniqueness of every human being is nothing short of incredible - unique in DNA as well as fingerprints and irises and, most of all, personality. But, being unique, I still ask who am I? And am I of any real value, any significance? And I try to find out.
The happier in Jersey can look back at fathers and mothers who loved (or still love) us - and grandparents.
Some can look now at husbands and wives who love them, warts and all. And others at children who will continue to carry a part of "us" into the future - for a time. But the question remains: who am I really? And that further question follows, prompted by the L'Oreal adverts: Am I worth it?
Jesus Christ wanted his key followers to know that "even the hairs on your head are all numbered" and to appreciate their value "more value than many sparrows", and to know how good that is because not one sparrow "will fall to the ground without your Father....."
Without your Father? Which Father is that?
Well, that same Father has a monumental building that bears His name and commemorates Him: "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"
Yes, this huge cosmos - and the six billion plus human beings like me on it - does make me feel so insignificant. But it is - and they are - the work of the fingers of the one who so values his disciples that he numbers the hairs on their heads.
And the God whose cosmos commemorates his finger-work, mindful of the destiny of each sparrow, says that each of the followers of his Son is of more value than many sparrows.
Prove that statement, please.
OK – by historic facts.
His Son, Jesus Christ, was criminalised and murdered by human beings so that He could then forgive them for those very actions - and He rose from the dead AD 33 and proceeded to do just that - forgive (and render significant to Him) all His followers down the centuries, including Phillip Le Vesconte and others .... |
