Now that the shutdown is over and Congress can get back to bickering over the Epstein emails, and possibly trying to do something about the dramatic increase in health care costs, not to mention food, maybe we can turn our attention to other serious issues like Chinese influence at COP30, and continuing violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
Bowing to corporate greed, the US has bullied countries into postponing a levy to be paid on greenhouse gases emitted form ships, refused to send an official delegation to COP30, and is trying to go back to fossil fuels. And the Chinese are stepping in with a commitment to reduce its own carbon footprint.
On top of this, Trump has asked Israeli President Herzog to pardon Netanyahu, who kept the war in Gaza going to protect himself against a possible trial on bribery charges. And the violence continues, with Israeli settlers attacking olive harvesters, burning a warehouse, and just expropriating land while the government has kept silent. Time to look past our own mess into the world beyond.
Prayer for the Day
Overwhelmed by events that capture our immediate attention,
We feel as if we just want to shut out the world, O God;
Certainly you understand, O Lord, that we’re tired and frustrated,
And look back to a time that never really was.
Give us strength to persevere and respond to your call,
Even as we struggle in our everyday lives.
In the name of the One who gives us strength,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The settlers “feel that everything belongs to them. Unfortunately, it seems to me that the [Israeli] government is silent, if not supporting them, as we saw. So they feel free to behave as they want.”
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, after settler attack
Green and low-carbon transition is the trend of the time. We need to stay confident, balance such goals as environmental protection, economic development, job creation and poverty eradication.
Ding Xuexiang, Chinese vice premier at COP30
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night my heart also instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me; because God is at my right hand,
I shall not be moved
Psalm 16: 7-8