It’s just a week past Midsummer, not very well named since it is actually the beginning of summer, but the days are just beginning to be a minute shorter. Sunrise was at 5:30 today and 5:29 yesterday. All the summer creatures and birds are out. Many butterfly watchers flock to Cape May where the winds help to bring the Monarchs in. And as we come near the end of the month, it certainly feels like summer.
The summer is not so welcome in some other parts of the world, where unbearable heat is the cause of death. And the climate shifts have brought early heat waves even to the Nordic countries, with temperatures in the 60s. Some countries are racing to hold the effects of the climate crisis in check, but not all.
The war in Ukraine is forcing Western Europe to find alternatives to Russian gas for the winter to come. Some are reverting to coal; others to more wind and solar. And here in the United States, while people complain about gas prices, oil barons guzzle up even larger profits than ever before. Scripture tells us wisdom sites by the gate; well, perhaps she should sit in the minds of our members of Congress.
Prayer for the Day
You have given us a gift of life, Loving Creator, full of joy and riches;
But your gifts are for all in this world, not for just us alone;
In response to your gift, Spirit of Life, may we share our lives with others
By sharing our bread and your promise of justice and peace with all.
Let us listen with ears open to truth made real by wisdom,
With eyes open to beauty so we discern how to respond your call.
We ask this in the name of the One we follow,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
What was particularly exceptional and particularly unusual was how early it [the heat waves] started (from World Weather Attribution Report June 2022)
- Friederike Otto, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford
A fallen blossom returning to the bough, I thought -- But no, a butterfly
- Arikida Moritake, Japanese poet (1473-1549)
Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so you will discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Paul the Apostle in Romans 12:2