Monday, June 21, 2021

The summer solstice occurred at 11:32 PM last night.  So Yesterday into this morning is the longest day of the year.  From this point on the days will begin to shorten.  Sunrise will be one minute later today than it was yesterday – 5:25 AM and tomorrow the sun will set one minute later so by the end of June we lose three minutes of daylight. Further north, the light and darkness are more pronounced as days become shorter more quickly. 

The first full day of summer feels like a Jersey summer – it’s humid, slightly overcast and will probably be pretty warm. But never fear, with rain on the horizon tomorrow, it will cool down for a day or two and then warm up for the weekend.

Summer brings lightning bugs, hummingbirds, and butterflies.  How many of us as children were amazed by the little lights on the lightning bugs, which aren’t really bugs but beetles using their lights to call for mates.  The variety and beauty of God’s creation is all around us.  We just have to look and take it all in.

Prayer for the Day

Come, Spirit of God, and embrace us into your very Being,

   For we get tired sometimes and need your refreshing Presence;

Come, Holy Immanence, and indwell in us through these days

   So we may glean your strength for our daily tasks.

Grant us grace to plant the tree of fortitude in our hearts

   With deep roots of compassion for all.

In the name of him who shares his strength with us,

   Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Thoughts for the Day

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.
            John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America (1902-1968)

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

               Mary Oliver, “The Summer Day,” from Poems (1935-2019)

For now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.

   The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come,

And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

   The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance.

               Song of Solomon 2: 11-13