The last day of the year, and my inbox is full of requests for donations to causes I support: environment, feeding the poor, helping refugees, to mention a few. There’s no question that all these causes need help, especially now.
It’s difficult for most of us, people with limited resources, to choose among all the worthy causes. And then there are the end of year sales for this or that not necessarily needed product, but, fortunately, they end up in the spam/promotions box, easily deleted. And if you thought the parking lots were filled before Christmas, you should see them now in front of stores advertising post-Christmas sales.
Is this what the end of our 2024 year should be like? Perhaps better to reflect on the year and to think how we can live more faithfully in 2025. What is it that we can do to make the world a more peaceful and loving place? Each one of us can add something, no matter how small, and help to reshape the world around us.
Prayer for the Day
Be the seed in our hearts, Creator of life,
Opening us to the possibilities of love;
Be the starter in our souls, Lord of imagination,
Calling us to live in justice and peace;
Be the stimulus in our actions, Spirit of wisdom,
Expanding our horizons beyond our walls.
In the name of the One who is our example,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: if no one else does, I still will.
Jonathan Edwards, American revivalist preacher (1703-1758)
I want to make a New year’s prayer, not a resolution. I’m praying for courage.
Susan Sontag, American critic and writer (1933-2004)
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young people stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31