Scripture: Isaiah 32:16-17
The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, here his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

Thought for the Day: This has indeed become a day that lives in infamy. When Pearl Harbor was attacked 71 years ago today, health the Japanese surprised an America in the midst of a bitter debate about isolationism. Much of the country, including the very vocal aviation hero Charles Lindbergh, wanted America to stay out of world affairs in general, and out of Nazi Germany in particular. President Roosevelt and many others felt the United States not only had an obligation to its friends in Europe, but also a need to stop the war from advancing to our shores.

And then we were attacked on those very shores, given a wake up call from the Far East that taught us there is no such thing as isolationism. Nobody lives in a vacuum. Today the people of the planet are both more involved with and separated from each other than ever before. Modern technologies like the Internet and Cellphones help us stay connected to news, information and each other 24/7/365—at least until a government turns off access to the ‘net.

But no matter how hard humans try to drive ideological wedges between each other, God’s righteousness—God’s love, mercy, justice and kindness, always finds a way to blossom. When we allow God to dwell within the desert of our own lives, we begin to become the fruit of peace for a planet that is still too divided by those who would rather build a wall around their country, than open the borders to all our human brothers and sisters, no matter their origin or history. Because ultimately, we all need to forgive and be forgiven, as God has forgiven us all through the coming birth of the Christ child.

Prayer: Most Loving and Peaceful God of righteousness, you inspire me to remember that ultimately, out of the chaos and turmoil of a too selfish world, justice prevails, mercy is most necessary, and love wins. Amen.