What makes life wonderful.
I recently spent a week with my brother who lives on the Greek Island of Lesvos. Beautiful – its views would rival the Capricorn Coast’s. Peaceful – nothing like the images of violence coming from Athens. Safe – Lesvos is extra-ordinary, there is hardly any theft, the people are gentle but direct, divorce is unknown and personal debt is non-existent. Overall there is real contentment in people’s lives. These people have known poverty, in the not too distant past, but now, with some tourist trade, they have enough to be comfortable. They work well but not so hard as to disrupt their family and community life. They have time for each other. In the daily routine, one sees that the men and women have time to chat with each other. They are not chasing even more money or trying to be wealthier than their neighbours. They know when to say “We have enough things, building community is more important.”
Jesus warns us against letting our hearts be blinded by material possessions. It is so easy to get hypnotised by the ‘desire media’ who tell us our happiness lies in more and better things while we know in our hearts that it lies in love for our family and friends, for our community and our God. Consider your own life and ensure that you have time, on a regular basis, to just enjoy the company of the people you love.
Loving God, you desired to be with us so much that you sent your Son to be with us in the person of Jesus. Give us your Spirit so that we may know how to treasure our time with you and with each other. We ask this in Jesus’ name, confident that you will hear us.
Sr Kym Harris