FRIDAY, November 19 (Elizabeth of Hungary)

James 5:7-12. Do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged.

Some people fret and complain that the Christian pulpit intrudes itself into the social order and speaks evil against national leaders. But remember how Jesus followed the prophets in their eager concern for the dispossessed. It is futile to inculcate in the minds of our young people the ideals of Jesus and then send them into a world uncongenial to those ideals. Critics call upon the church to let business alone. But business and industry and politics do not let the people of God alone.

Can the church stand by and see people cheated of the abundant life, pushed under the level of subsistence, in squalor, ill health, and occupational diseases? If it were a question of economics, the church might well leave the matter alone. But moral questions are involved. It will be a sorry day for the church if she ceases to be involved in human welfare. (1936)

The Christian’s duty in regard to slums is not merely to tell the inhabitants that their squalor is of small consequence because soon they will pass to the house of many mansions. The Christian duty in regard to sweated-labor is not merely to comfort the oppressed…but to destroy the system which makes such sweating possible.

—William Temple

PRAY for the Diocese of Keewatin (Rupert’s Land, Canada)

Ps 102 * 107:1-32; Malachi 3:1-12; Luke 18:1-8

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (6) Add Comment

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Grumble not, get moving

Nov 19, 2010 at 6:07 am

Written by Stephen,

In our culture grumbling is an idle expression of discontent. William Temple calls us to take action. Patience is a virtue, but it must not be mistaken for missing the opportunities at hand to to act. Unfortunately much of the American Christian culture has become part of a sort of commerce club where two or three phony issues are pressed like drinking or sexual identity while the club enjoys the fruits of Darwinian "survival of the fittest" social political theology. While they spend time trying to pray people strait the country goes strait to hell.

We look to the church to lead

Nov 19, 2010 at 7:05 am

Written by Merry,

I grew up in the southern United States during the era of desegregation, which I participated in through the church. I learned about social justice and the role of the church in righting society's wrongs in my youth. Martin Luther King was exemplary. The inspiration of his words and action live on. I came to know Dorothy Day through reading about her. We have a wonderful history of taking action in the world through the church. Let us honor the people who act on their spiritual beliefs and remember that we can make a difference.

could have been written in 2010

Nov 19, 2010 at 8:36 am

Written by carolyn,

I enjoy looking at the date of the daily devotional entries, just to seee they were written and think about the historical context. Sometimes I read the devotional first and look at the date only at the end, and sometimes reverse that process. Today's might well have been written in 2010. The first sentence sounds a lot like pastors, especially in the religous right, who guide members about how to vote and preach political action from the pulpit. But 1936! It's important for all churches in every age to care about human welfare. So much is going on now in DC with cuts of unemployment benefits, threats to undo healthcare reform and more, with an eye to helping the well-to-do first. Preach, church, preach!

...

Nov 19, 2010 at 8:51 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Yes, however, "first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye," or the confrontation may escalate into a mutual affray.
(Ref: Matt 7:5)

...

Nov 19, 2010 at 9:53 am

Written by Barbara Summers,

This was written in 1936, during Hitler's rise to power. Speaking against him was undoubtedly correct and took tremendous courage in Europe; I think of one of my personal heroes, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who opposed Hitler and paid the ultimate price for doing so.

grumble grumble

Nov 19, 2010 at 3:36 pm

Written by Howard,

Sometimes I complain when things in my life don't go according to plan and I start blaming others or bad situations. This passage is a good reminder to me to take time to not jump to conclusions early and to look below the surface to examine a root cause. I find at times my responsibility is not seen right away. If I take the time to think and pray about it, the situation falls into better place.

Write comment

Show/hide comment form

The History of Forward Movement:

Weary and Divided Church | The First Publication | Church Moves Forward | Name Change | The First Editor

A Meditation for Pentecost

New! Forward Day by Day is available on your Kindle or Nook!

185662_201033913247091_122364231114060_862947_1284717_n Learn more about how you can support the Unapologetically Episcopalian Campaign to transform the church! Forward Movement stands ready -- and you can help. Don't forget to "like" Unapolgetically Episcopalian on Facebook.

Send Us Your Cat or Dog Photos!

Forward Movement is accepting photo submissions for EpiscoCats and EpiscoPups – our 15-month, wall-hanging calendars. If your pet is chosen, you’ll receive a photo credit and 5 complimentary copies of the calendar. Click here for submission guidelines!

Signup for e-news

10ways-to-pray Claim Your Free Gift Now! Simply subscribe to our e-news by using the form below. You will then be able to download our "Ten Ways to Pray" ebook!

Be sure to confirm your preferences and check your email after subscribing. The link to your free gift is found in your "Welcome" email.

Start a Subscription Prayer Chapel

Resources

Today's Meditation Podcast Día a Día (Spanish Version) Editor’s Notes Mobile Reading For Today A Morning Resolve How to Use Forward Day by Day Scripture Listings

Latest Meditations

Meditation Archives

May, 2012 April, 2012 March, 2012 February, 2012 January, 2012 December, 2011 November, 2011 October, 2011 September, 2011 August, 2011 July, 2011 June, 2011

Request a Catalog Make a Donation