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Day 26

Psalm 107(106):25-26,29-30

For God spoke; he summoned the gale,

tossing the waves of the sea

up to heaven and back into the deep;

their souls melted away in their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper:

all the waves of the sea were hushed.

They rejoiced because of the calm

and he led them to the haven they desired.

Out of the Storm (Jessica Powers)

The lemon air hung paralysed

and not a leaf stirred in the lanes,

when sky, like spirit, was surprised

by sudden lightning veins.

Clouds gave a blue bold threat of the wind

frenzied with freedom; overheard,

where are the great dome of the day inclined,

a slow black terror spread.

And then the wind came pouring through.

A bird flew up exultantly

out of my breast, it seemed. I knew

its empty nest in me.

I had not thought such joy could be

hidden in me and take to air.

My dark now sings with mystery.

What other bird is there?

Musical Selection (Liam Lawton)

Even though the rain hides the stars,

Even though the mist swirls the hills,

Even when the dark clouds veil the sky,

You are by my side.

Even when the sun shall fall in sleep,

Even when at dawn the sky shall weep,

Even in the night when storms shall rise,

You are by my side. You are by my side.

Bright the stars at night that mirror heaven’s way to you.

Bright the stars in light where dwell the saints in love and truth

Deep the feast of life where saints shall gather in deep peace.

Deep in heaven’s light where sorrows pass beyond death’s sleep.

Blest are they who sing the fellowship of saints in light.

Blest is heaven’s King. All saints adore the Lord, Most High.

Meditation

I consider it essential to insist that “to seek only a technical remedy to each environmental problem which comes up is to separate what is in reality interconnected and to mask the true and deepest problems of the global system”. It is true that efforts at adaptation are needed in the face of evils that are irreversible in the short term. Also some interventions and technological advances that make it possible to absorb or capture gas emissions have proved promising. Nonetheless, we risk remaining trapped in the mindset of pasting and papering over cracks, while beneath the surface there is a continuing deterioration to which we continue to contribute. To suppose that all problems in the future will be able to be solved by new technical interventions is a form of homicidal pragmatism, like pushing a snowball down a hill.

Once and for all, let us put an end to the irresponsible derision that would present this issue as something purely ecological, “green”, romantic, frequently subject to ridicule by economic interests. Let us finally admit that it is a human and social problem on any number of levels. For this reason, it calls for involvement on the part of all. In Conferences on the climate, the actions of groups negatively portrayed as “radicalized” tend to attract attention. But in reality they are filling a space left empty by society as a whole, which ought to exercise a healthy “pressure”, since every family ought to realize that the future of their children is at stake. (LD 57-58)

Prayer

Holy One, you are our comfort and strength
in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos.
Surround us now with your grace and peace
through storm or earthquake, fire or flood.

By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen,
sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild,
and fill us with the hope of your new creation;
through You, our rock and redeemer. - Author Unknown

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