EDITOR'S NOTE: 2010 marks the 75th anniversary of Forward Day by Day. To commemorate this milestone, the meditations from February 1, 2010 through January 31, 2011 feature reprints of the most outstanding meditations from our past 75 years. The year each meditation was originally written is included at the end of the meditation. To learn more about our anniversary and the selection process for these meditations, click here. We encourage you also to share your comments about these classic meditations below. Our editor, Richard Schmidt, will be responding to comments for these meditations.

A realtor once said that the best way to sell a house is to bake bread, because the aroma will evoke a powerful sense of "home" in potential buyers.

This association of home and bread runs deep in our psyches. Recall, for example, the Israelites' years of desert wandering in search of their promised homeland. They were nourished by bread from heaven.

In John's account, Jesus echoes this nurturing image: "I am the bread of life...I am the bread that came down from heaven." He reminds us that as Christians we, too, live by bread from heaven, nurtured and nourished by God. No longer is it manna that feeds us, but Christ himself who is present in the eucharist.

So the next time you stretch out your hands to receive communion, remember that God's hand is already stretched out to you, welcoming you home. And the next time you smell baking bread, think of it as aromatic incense, a humble reminder of God's tender, constant presence among us. (2003)

PRAY for the Diocese of Armagh (Ireland)

Ps 56, 57, [58] * 64, 65; Genesis 19:1-17(18-23)24-29; Hebrews 11:1-12

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

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Comments (6)

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Final note from January's author

Feb 01, 2010 at 10:31 am

Written by Brad Turner - Webmaster,

Our author for January's meditations has sent us a final note about her meditations which you can read at http://forwardmovement.org/jan...pdate.html

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Today's meditation

Feb 01, 2010 at 12:02 pm

Written by Olivia Brantley,

What a wonderful idea to re-print previous meditations! Much like returning to a favorite bible passage, it evoked a deep sense of comfort & curiosity for me. I have been reading FM for well over 14 years & yet I did't recall this passage. hhhmmmmm. God bless you all for your publication!

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The Rev'd Canon, Priest retired

Feb 01, 2010 at 12:30 pm

Written by TIMOTHY M NAKAYAMA,

As one born in Canada of parents who came from Japan, I was raised eating white rice. It is curious that nowadays we can find in some churches white unleavened wafers made from rice used for sacramental bread, particularly for those who are allergic to wheat!

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Congratulations

Feb 01, 2010 at 1:11 pm

Written by VH,

Congratulations on reaching this milestone. It is indeed an amazing thing to reprint these mediatations. I was introduced to Forward Day by Day about 8 years ago and have been using them since. I too have my a lot of my old issues marked with some that I found interesting and some that spoke directly to me at that particularly time. I love the quotes and prayers some of the authors use.
I like this interactive column and the pictures on the covers always have a soothing effect on me.
God bless you.

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Thank you

Feb 01, 2010 at 1:44 pm

Written by Jacquie,

Forward Day by Day has been a very special part of my daily prayer life for over 30 years,my bible is filled with meditations that have touched my soul during certain times in my life. I take them out time and time again to read their comforting words and to remind myself of God's unfailing love.
God Bless,

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les lectures en français

Feb 01, 2010 at 8:08 pm

Written by Robert Delvin,

Bonjour,

Je lis toujours les lectures bibliques en français. J'espère que les méditations étaient aussi disponible en cette langue.

La paix soient avec vous

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