Ad Asperam

I've heard many folks remark that looking up at the vast expanse of the sky, with thousands of seen and unseen stars, they feel insignificant and tiny. How can one person out of billions, on one planet out of trillions (one rock that happens to host life), matter at all in the larger scheme of things. I, however, like to take a different view on things.

Whenever I look up at the night sky, I really sit back and take it all in. I see billions of stars, and suns not unlike our own, that are all placed carefully and beautifully in the night sky. I see a giant canvas, of sorts, across which points of light are strewn, some larger than others.

And, below this cosmic canvas is little old me.

I don't want to sound to hippy-ish, but I really marvel in the fact that all of this beauty was created for me and all of mankind. For the population of one planet out of billions. Don't get me wrong and think I'm a staunch Bible-beating creationist, especially since that's not the point of this post. As far as we know, these planets are unable to host life and, rather then regard them as the by-products of creation, I like to think they exist for no other purpose than delighting and fascinating us (except for their navigational uses of course).

Think of the colossal scale of this artwork--the largest public art project, I suppose. Think of it as a testament of the Creator's love, as did St. Franics of Assisi:
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.

Also, think of the fact that, across this vast expanse, God has chosen one planet to host his Son. He has chosen to become a part of one species on one planet. This great honor is bestowed on humanity; No other place can lay claim to that.