I am not like a pebble on the beach - a grain of sand on the

In the powerful words of Mother Angelica, we are reminded of the intrinsic value and uniqueness of every individual. She rejects the notion that we are mere grains of sand or pebbles in the vast expanse of time and humanity. Instead, Mother Angelica asserts that each person is special, a unique creation, loved and cherished by God as if they were His only child. In this statement, she emphasizes the divine worth bestowed upon each individual, a worth that transcends the sea of millions. Her words serve as a profound reminder that every life is precious and that each of us is a manifestation of God's love and creativity—a truth that echoes through time, from the ancients to the present day.

The ancient wisdom of the Greeks also carried a deep reverence for the uniqueness of the individual, especially in the eyes of the divine. Socrates, for example, believed that each person had an inner divinity—a soul that connected them to the greater cosmos. To him, the search for truth and virtue was a personal journey, one that could not be lived in the shadow of others. Just as Mother Angelica declares the uniqueness of each human being, Socrates believed that each individual was not to be measured against the multitude, but to be recognized as a singular expression of the divine. Human beings, he argued, are not insignificant—they are part of a greater plan, each with their own role to play in the unfolding of the world’s story.

Consider also the example of King David from the Bible. When the prophet Samuel was sent to find the future king of Israel, he overlooked the young David, who was tending the sheep, assuming that the elder sons of Jesse were more fit for the role. But God, in His wisdom, saw something different in David. He was not merely one of many, but a unique individual with a purpose that only he could fulfill. This story reflects the truth that God's love and calling are not bound by numbers. Each person is seen as a singular creation, loved for their individual essence. Like David, each of us is part of a divine plan, meant to shine with our own light and contribute to the world in a way that is uniquely ours.

The teachings of Christianity, too, echo this message of individual worth. Jesus Christ, in his ministry, reached out to the marginalized, the outcasts, and the sinners, showing them that they were not insignificant in God’s eyes. Each person, regardless of their status or past, was seen as worthy of love and redemption. The idea that each human being is loved as if they were the only child of God is central to Christian teachings, reflecting a deep and abiding truth: every life is a unique and cherished creation, beloved by the Creator. Mother Angelica’s words mirror this understanding—that we are not lost in the crowd, but each one of us holds a place of special significance in the eyes of God.

In contrast to the idea of being a mere pebble or grain of sand, we see that individuality has always been a source of strength and purpose in the ancient world. Cicero, the Roman philosopher, emphasized the importance of personal integrity and the power of the individual to shape the world. To him, each person was capable of greatness, not because of their numbers, but because of their unique abilities and the wisdom they could bring to the world. Cicero’s belief in the potential of the individual resonates with Mother Angelica’s words, reinforcing the idea that every person has a special role to play in the grand tapestry of life.

The lesson here is one of self-worth and divine purpose. In a world that often encourages comparison and conformity, we must remember that each person is unique and cherished in the eyes of the divine. Like Socrates, David, and Jesus, we are called to recognize our own individual significance, not as part of the crowd, but as a singular creation with a unique purpose. Mother Angelica’s affirmation that we are loved by God as if we were the only child underscores a powerful truth: we are each created with intention, and our lives have meaning and value that goes beyond the temporal and the material.

In practical terms, this means we must honor ourselves and others for their individuality. Let us not lose sight of the profound value each person holds, and let us recognize that our purpose is not to be measured by comparison to others, but by the unique gifts we bring to the world. Like Mother Angelica, we are invited to celebrate our divine worth, knowing that we are deeply loved and valued by the Creator. In every life, there is something unique, something that cannot be replaced or replicated. Therefore, let us live with the knowledge that we are cherished, and let that knowledge guide us toward fulfilling our highest potential, embracing the love and purpose that God has bestowed upon us all.