Thursday, November 19, 2020
The Atlantic hurricane season still has almost two weeks to go and some new storms are still taking shape. Our badly battered Southern coast faced even greater danger as people needed shelter because of the virus; however, as bad as it has been along the Gulf it has been much worse in parts of Central America.
Landslides in Guatemala from Eta two weeks ago wiped out some small villages and now Iota came crashing down onto the northern borders of Nicaragua and Honduras. Denuded tropical forests for palm oil plantations have only increased the impact of the flooding from the intense rainfall due to climate change.
Fueled by American loans wealthy landowners as part of concerted government policies have been forcing small subsistence farmers off their land. As a consequence, the displaced have looked north to support their families. The cycle seems endless. And what is palm oil used for? Food and cosmetic processing in the United States among other countries. Pick up a jar of peanut butter and look at the ingredients.
Prayer for the Day
You created us, O God, as sentient beings
May we use our minds to think and question;
You gave us our hands as tools for work and play
May we use our hands for the good of the earth;
Help us to live so we question injustice
And strive to establish your realm on earth.
In the name of him who calls us to question,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
It angers me when sustainability gets used as a buzz word. For 90 percent of the world, sustainability is a matter of survival.
Cameron Sinclair, English architect
We are aware only of the empty space in the forest which only yesterday was filled with trees.
Austrian psychologist (1895–1982)
The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May God send you help from the sanctuary,
and give you support from Zion.
Psalm 20: 1–2