It’s very quiet, the snow now stopped, and the government remains open – for now. TSA employees and soldiers will still get their pay, not to mention the fact that federal employees won’t be furloughed. It’s quiet for now this first day of winter.
It’s the shortest day of the year, which means that light will be returning to our Northern Hemisphere beginning tomorrow. The snow caught us off guard, no plows out yet, though here in Central and southern New Jersey it may be more slush than snow. Up north, more snow but the real weather will be in the temperature – a real Arctic blast.
I can’t help but wonder how the feral cat will do in this weather, not to mention the homeless who usually get bounced from train stations. Now that the Supreme Court has eliminated a requirement to shelter the homeless, some cities are trying to ban shelters. Nothing like caring for the poor while we continue our Christmas buying frenzy.
Prayer for the Day
It’s amazing, O God, how we think of Christmas,
The day we claim to celebrate you crashing into our world;
Lawns are littered with grinches and reindeer,
But our hearts shut out the poor and vulnerable.
Shake us loose from our self-centeredness,
And awake in us hearts that care for others.
In the name of the One who cared for all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The city of Kalispell [Montana] took away their [Warming Center] right to shelter the homeless, and if the city of Kalispell can do that, then it's open season on the homeless everywhere across the country.
Aaron Bolton, journalist
The state of California has filed a lawsuit against the city of Norwalk over its ordinance that bans homeless shelters and supporting housing in alleged violation of the state housing law, the California Attorney General’s Office announced Monday.
Is this not the fast that I choose to loose the bonds of justice,
To undo the thongs of the yoke to let the oppressed go free?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
To bring the homeless poor into your house,
When you see the naked, to cover them
And not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Isaiah 58: 6-7