The news of the day continues to provide material for a Daily Cup of Good News. One recent such item is the decision of PepsiCo to change the formula for Diet Pepsi to one that does not contain aspartame, long suspected to be a carcinogen. Such socially responsible moves by corporations that provide us the things we use every day deserve our thanks and support. The dark cloud in this salutary development is the negative reaction of some of their established clientele. They don’t want it to change, not for their health or the health of others.
One can only hope and pray that the financial fallout from PepsiCo’s move is not so negative that it erodes the courage of their convictions. They do, after all, have to continue to pay a return on investment sufficient to maintain their continued existence, just like any company with stock traded on the stock exchange.
I was at a bit of a loss for a prayer with which to close, but I think this one is covers it. Whenever you pray it, think of the leaders of our commercial entities as they strive to be profitable in a socially responsible way.
“For Commerce and industry“
Almighty God,whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with your people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to your will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” BCP, pg 259.
Ron Hicks, Parish Verger, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, Washington DC, 13-October-2015.
The Daily Cup 
We have such an unhealthy environment that everything we eat and drink is tainted, polluted. It is good of Pepsi but it would be also good to cut back on driving cars which are directly responsible for the warming climate, for pollution in air and sea. The poisons in our food and in our lifestyle have so grossly changed us and our susceptibility to disease. A simple lifestyle such as monks live with organic vegetables, a sharp reduction in meat and refined flour and sugar, pure water and air in a high altitude would be best. One note: the sugar in colas also contribute to disease– diabetes.