[Greek] ψηφίζω (psēphizō), [Latin] computare, [Latin] calculare: to vote, to count (with pebbles), to calculate; Lk.14:28, Rev.13:18
Election Day in Philadelphia: painting by John Lewis Krimmel (1815)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to count (with pebbles), to reckon, to cast a vote, to vote for, to decide, to resolve to do something, and to condemn.
Psephos (stones): Small stones were used in voting, board games, counting, astrology, and magic. A stone was synonymous with a voice (opinion). Voting occurred by placing a stone in an urn. Voting pertained to laws, referendums, condemnations, and banishments.
Ostracism: A shard of pottery (ostracon) was also used in voting. The ancient Greeks sometimes voted whether or not to expel or banish a person from Athens. Those persons, who were forced to leave, were ostracized.
Xenophon’s Hellenica 1.7.9: “Cast their vote (stone) into the urn.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 2.36.4: “Calculate from left to right.”
Sophocles’ Ajax 448: “Procured votes in judgment against another man.”
Aeschines’ On the Embassy 2.84: “Put the motion to a vote.”
Lysias’ Against Eratosthenes 12.44: “What measures be passed by their votes.”
Antiphon’s Against the Stepmother for Poisoning 1.12: “To find them guilty.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 5.97: “Had made their decision.”
Iseaeus’ Pyrrhus 37: “Give your verdict.”
Old Testament: This term means to count, to recount, to reckon, to celebrate, to number, and to inscribe.
New Testament: This term means to calculate and to figure out.
Scripture:
Lk.14:28: “Which of you is wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?” (Jesus discusses what it means to be a disciple. Constructing the cost of a tower is likened to understanding what it takes to become a disciple. One must realistically understand and accept the costs needed in order to be a disciple of Jesus.)
Calculating the costs of discipleship:
- This requires removing attachments to family and possessions which can stand in the way.
- This demands a readiness to accept opposition, persecution, suffering, and even martyrdom.
- This requires one to carry one’s own cross and come after Him. This is how one can become a disciple.
Rev.13:18: “Wisdom is needed here; one who understands can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a person. His number is 666.” (This number represents man, imperfection, incompleteness, and evil in their most superlative form of imperfection.)
Cardinal Hollerich on the Synod [responding to the question [‘What impact does the Synod have for normal Catholics?’]:
“They [laity] will see with time a Church where they count.” (It seems that Cardinal Hollerich believes that the laity has been disenfranchised all this time. So the laity do not count now? Does this mean Jesus did NOT get it right about the laity’s role in the Church? SUCH ARROGANCE FROM A MODERNIST!)
“They will probably not see a change immediately, because changes need time, and the Holy Spirit needs time because He has to convert our hearts.” (Cardinal Hollerich conveniently uses the Holy Spirit to rationalize and justify their Modernist’ objectives in remaking the laity’s role in the Church. AGAIN, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE MODERNISTS THINK THEY KNOW BETTER HOW TO RUN JESUS’ CHURCH!)
Etymology: The Greek arithmos means number.
Conclusion:
Calculate, calculation, appreciate, appreciation, arithmetic, compute, computation
It was interesting to discover that the ancient Greeks used stones (pebbles) in settling and deciding important matters.
For many, these are high costs (renouncing possessions, leaving family ties, and the possibility of persecution) in order to become a disciple of Jesus.
It is not surprising that 666 is associated with Satan. It is very interesting to note that in Jn.6:66, many disciples walked away when Jesus stated that one must eat His Body and drink His Blood in order to have everlasting life. In a sense, you could perhaps say that the devil made them do it and walk away. Or is this just a coincidence?
Warning—Useless Words Alert—
Psephology: the statistical study of elections and voting trends
Psephologist: one who studies elections and voting trends (Frank Lutz, Karl Roe, Larry Sabato, Nate Silver)
Ostrakon: pottery shard used in voting
Update: On November 5, the American people will vote for the candidate who will best represent them. Make your vote count!
Many Americans still have concerns about election security and integrity.
The Jan. 6 commission’s primary goal was to ostracize Trump and his supporters. We are now finding out that Nancy Pelosi, the Capital police, and the military have been complicit in providing for security.
Many Americans are very concerned about efforts to allow non-US citizens to vote in this upcoming election. Yet, in some places there is pushback against removing non-U.S. citizens from the voting rolls.
It seems we can always count on the mainstream and social media to consistently take Trump’s comments out of context ==>rinse and repeat. Yet the American people can easily figure this out.
Unfortunately, Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) continues to infect many people in ostracizing Trump and MAGA folks.
President Biden has just further ostracized Trump (MAGA) supporters by calling them garbage.
President Trump has perhaps become the most ostracized presidential candidate and President of all time. Examples included questionable indictments and impeachments, and assassination attempts.
Pope Pius X’s encyclical Dominici Pascendi Gregis warned us about the Modernists’ efforts to remake Jesus’ Church (in democratizing Church authority and Church doctrine.)
“We count on God’s mercy for our past mistakes, on God’s love for our present needs, on God’s sovereignty for our future.” St. Augustine
“Teach us to give and not count the cost.” St. Ignatius of Loyola
“Counting on her [the Church] with the crucified Christ for the strength to voluntary accept and love the suffering as an authentic path to sainthood.” St. John Paul II
Next post: to reject (after testing)