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Day 24

Psalm 104(103):10-13

You make springs gush forth in the valleys;

they flow in between the hills.

They give drink to all the beasts of the field;

the wild asses quench their thirst.

On their banks dwell the birds of heaven;

from the branches they sing their song.

In the Dells (Jessica Powers)

I have never seen trees so slim and tall

as these in the canyon; I have never seen

such proud trees, so arrogant, so serene.

I have never heard of singing bird call

with such clear dignity as this flying crow

over the water sawing the air with sound.

Sunlight puts king's feet on this royal ground

feeling its pleasures where the soft ferns grow.

I think if I stood long enough in this green

cool place that never again would I dare to be

bowed by even a faint humidity.

I think I would hold my head like a young queen.

Musical Selection

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and early rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew.
Disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will;
and with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say,
that all my pow'rs, with all their might,
in Thy sole glory may unite.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Him all creatures here below;
praise Him above, ye heav'enly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Meditation

The United Arab Emirates will host the next Conference of the Parties (COP28). It is a country of the Persian Gulf known as a great exporter of fossil fuels, although it has made significant investments in renewable energy sources. Meanwhile, gas and oil companies are planning new projects there, with the aim of further increasing their production. To say that there is nothing to hope for would be suicidal, for it would mean exposing all humanity, especially the poorest, to the worst impacts of climate change.

If we are confident in the capacity of human beings to transcend their petty interests and to think in bigger terms, we can keep hoping that COP28 will allow for a decisive acceleration of energy transition, with effective commitments subject to ongoing monitoring. This Conference can represent a change of direction, showing that everything done since 1992 was in fact serious and worth the effort, or else it will be a great disappointment and jeopardize whatever good has been achieved thus far. (LD 53-54)

Prayer

Now thou art risen, and thy day begun.
How shrink the shrouding mists before thy face,
As up thou spring’st to thy diurnal race!
How darkness chases darkness to the west,
As shades of light on light rise radiant from thy crest!
For thee, great source of strength, emblem of might,
In hours of darkest gloom there is no night.
Thou shinest on though clouds hide thee from sight,
And through each break thou sendest down thy light.

O greater Maker of this Thy great sun,
Give me the strength this one day’s race to run,
Fill me with light, fill me with sun-like strength,
Fill me with joy to rob the day its length.
Light from within, light that will outward shine,
Strength to make strong some weaker heart than mine,
Joy to make glad each soul that feels its touch;
Great Father of the sun, I ask this much. — James Weldon Johnson

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