Yesterday was Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. A bit cloudy in the morning, but becoming absolutely lovely by midday. And today promises to be a beautiful end of summer day as well with temperatures in the upper-70s.
Time to do fall housecleaning, for sure. Time to think about what we need to keep and what we need to share with others by donating to nonprofit thrift shops. We probably all have too much stuff. The trick is, of course, not to buy more stuff to replace what we just gave away.
It’s so easy to be possessed by our possessions, for many of them carry memories of times gone by, times we shared with those we love now and loved in the past. Our memories, some good, some not so good, often possess us in strange ways, much like possessions. Here, the trick is learning to integrate them into our lives so we are able to live life more fully.
Prayer for the Day
Not knowing what to keep and what to discard,
We are caught in the struggles of everyday life;
Depending on your steadfast love even when we falter and fail,
We turn to you for guidance in times of trouble.
Grant that we have the strength to be healed,
As we seek to heal others in the world.
In the name of the One who heals all,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.
Bertrand Russell, British mathematician and philosopher (1872-1970)
Without the rebellious heart, without people who understand that there’s no sacrifice that we can make to retrieve that which we’ve lost, we will forever be distracted by possessions and trinkets and titles.
Harry Belafonte, singer, civil rights activist (1927-2023)
The young man said to Jesus, “I have kept all these [commandments]. What is it that I lack?” Jesus said to him, “if you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven; the, come follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Matthew 19: 20-22