First Day of Summer 2022

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” Matthew 19:23-30

This place is what summer has always been to me. Yet it has changed a lot. Once a humble, out of the way, unglamorous beach town, now a place discovered by the wealthy. It's simple charms have been bulldozed for ever larger monstrosities of opulence. I am reminded how easy it is for the wealthy to have power and place, and how hard it is for them to enjoy the simplest pleasures of life. I feel so blessed to know the depths of those blessings. They are imprinted on my heart. And, God's abiding love, which I learned to know in this simple place, will always be there too.

Wondrous Creator, you bring us summer's wonders

your greens sparkle in the sun and the water cools us

we are ever grateful for your tremendous blessings.

Help us to understand that letting go is a blessing

and controlling people and places provides little

as you bless us with every thing, every day.

Let our hearts always seek you in these mornings

let us be humble and willing to be made new

so that you live might shine through the way we live. Amen.