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.
SATURDAY, August 8 (Dominic)
Mark 9:30-41. Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.
Lately there has been a lot of attention and debate concerning those who work in what is politely called the "service industry." These are the people who change the sheets and clean the rooms of our homes and our hotels. They are the people who maintain the landscapes of our communities. They harvest our food and care for our children. They provide services that many would refuse to do. Often they do all this for meager wages and no benefits. In many cases they are exploited because they have no recourse and no power.
When Jesus speaks of greatness in the form of servanthood, he is not referring to some romantic idea of an occasional role reversal but to a life lived in service, especially to the least and most vulnerable among us. He is calling his disciples to stand on the lowest rung of society and care for those around them. It is a high and challenging calling. It is nothing less than the life Jesus lived for us.
Surely God will first require, and help me to form, a character worthy to serve him, and then appoint me my task. No; in point of fact it is only through service that such a character could be formed.
-William Temple
PRAY for the Diocese of Ruvuma (Tanzania)
Ps 87, 90 * 136; 2 Samuel 12:15-31; Acts 20:1-16
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
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