Tuesday December 29, 2020
It’s inevitable. Here we are, chugging along toward 2021, reading lists of the best this, that or the other and we wonder whether these lists say anything, do anything, mean anything. What does say something, of course, are the numbers of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. What may say even more is the number of persons slated to be vaccinated within the next month, more than 83,000 in 291 nursing homes – both staff and patients.
The numbers sound impressive until you realize that it’s a drop in the bucket. So care for ourselves and others is still needed. To tell the truth, it’s been a long year, a long year indeed. We all await the vaccines with hope, much like the same older generation waited for the polio vaccine in the 1950s, which was a long time ago.
So we continue to look at the lists of this, that, and the other thing and use them to mark the year, the year that has been so different. And let’s pray that the unemployed will get some relief and soon from the bill passed by Congress and finally signed.
Prayer for the Day
Leave me not in despair but send out your light, O God,
And let it lead me into the way of deliverance from fear;
Leave me not disconsolate, but send out your mercy, O God,
And let it lead me into the way of your steadfast love.
Open yourself to us, Holy One, so that we find shelter under your wings
And enable us to feel your Presence in our lives today.
In the name of the One who opened us to your Presence,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Do you know how there are moments when the world moves so slowly you can feel your bones shifting, your mind tumbling? When you think that no matter what happens to you for the rest of your life, you will remember every last detail of that one minute forever?
- Jodi Picoult, American writer
In those days, we finally chose to walk like giants and hold the world in arms grown strong with love. And there may be many things we forget in the days to come, but this will not be one of them.
- Brian Andreas, American short story writer
With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments.
I treasure your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Psalm 119: 10-11