Sometimes people just cannot see what is in front of their faces. One would think that after the disastrous hurricanes of the last 17 years – no, God, did not send Katrina because New Orleans was having a gay pride parade – not to mention flooding in the streets of Miami after this last storm, that the know nothings would see that the climate of the world is changing.
Yesterday I had to go to the Javits Center for a conference. Next to the fourth floor of Javits Center South is a full acre garden, not to mention an orchard with 28 fruit trees, and five bee hives. And solar panels. Put my three little pots of tomatoes to shame.
Looking out onto the river that separates Manhattan from New Jersey I can only hope that new approaches to sustainability in cities will be enough to stave off the coming catastrophe. We must, for the sake of future generations.
Prayer for the Day
We see the waters rise, O God, and we worry for cities,
For we wonder if they will be able to withstand the perils of storms;
We know we need more than bulkheads and dredging,
But we see elected leaders unwilling to tackle hard questions.
Grant, O merciful Creator, that we are able to turn ourselves around
And take sensible solutions for the children not yet even conceived.
In the name of the One who stilled the waters,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
If the only thing we have to analyze what’s valuable is a price tag, then those things that don’t have price tags begin to look like they have no value.
- Al Gore, former Vice-President, environmentalist
Hold up a mirror and ask yourself what you are capable of doing and what you really care about. Then take the initiative – don’t wait for someone else to ask you to act.
- Sylvia Earle, oceanographer, environmentalist
You have set our transgressions before you, our hidden faults in the light of your face,
For all our days slip away in your anger, we consume our years like a sigh.
To count our days rightly, instruct, that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Come back, O Lord, How long? -- and have pity on your servants.
Psalm 90: 8-9, 11-12