Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
FRIDAY, August 19
Mark 12:35-44. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins.
The community at our friary in Korea is supported largely by donations from church members. Donations come in all sizes but it is most humbling to receive the small ones, knowing how sacrificial the offering was for the donor. A small donation is purely a gift from a generous heart and carries no expectation with it, other than that we remember the donor in our prayers.
People generally are generous, but in a culture where gift-giving can get perilously close to a bribe it takes some care not to be more influenced by the larger donations than the smaller ones. The poor widow of this morning’s gospel is our guide in this. She is vulnerable with no one to support her and yet she generously gives not from her abundance but from the little she had. Her offering challenges us all—whether giving or receiving—to the same generosity.
To move beyond coins, there are many other ways we offer ourselves to God: time in prayer, serving the church, sharing our skills, or just being present to God and each other. That poor widow inspires us to give of our best, rather than the leftover remains.
PRAY for the Diocese of Rupert’s Land (Rupert’s Land, Canada)
Ps 140, 142 * 141, 143:1-11(12); 2 Samuel 19:24-43; Acts 24:24—25:12
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A Meditation for Pentecost
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I an homebound so the best way for me to serve is through daily devotions, spiritual direction, and meditation. Just being in his prescene. I hope that eventually I can explain to my friends who.do not practice their religion the joy that cones with staying on God's path and immersing oneslf in him