Food for the Hungry, Drink for the Thirsty
Hospital of the Holy Spirit, Biberach, Germany
My dear friends,
As we turn the page to a new year, we are reminded of the cycles of life and the changes that come with it. This is a time of reflection, a time to contemplate the nature of existence, and a time to renew our commitment to the values that bring joy and peace to our lives.
The words of the great teacher Koheleth ("the Preacher") in Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 offer us a profound insight into the nature of time and the human experience. "For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." We are reminded that the cycles of life are not random, but rather, they are part of a larger plan that we cannot fully understand.
As we read further into this passage, we see that the Preacher speaks of the ebb and flow of life - birth and death, planting and harvesting, mourning and dancing. These are all part of the natural order of things. And yet, we are also called to action. We are called to make the most of the time that we have, to embrace the joys of life, and to work to alleviate the suffering of others.
In verses 9-13, the Preacher writes,
I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
He has made everything suitable for its time;
moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds,
yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live;
moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.
As we reflect on these words, we see that the purpose of our work and our toil is not just to accumulate wealth or possessions. Rather, it is to cultivate love and compassion, to bring joy and happiness to ourselves and others, and thereby to fulfill God's will for the world.
My dear friends, let us take the words of the Preacher to heart as we begin this new year. May it be a time of growth, renewal, and deepening of our commitment to the values that bring meaning and purpose to our lives.
May all beings be happy, may all beings be free from suffering, and may all beings find peace.