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, July 4 Independence Day (U. S.)
Matthew 5:43-48. Love your enemies...so that you may be the children of your Father in heaven.
Almost 235 years ago, an ancestor of mine rendered material aid and signed an oath. And all these years since, generations of my family have felt blessed to call ourselves Americans.
On this day, my house is decorated throughout with red, white, and blue. Flags, streamers, and an abundance of food mark the day. Later if enough recent rain has fallen to protect the land, we and the heavens will witness a panoramic sprinkling of fiery color in mid-air.
In this hubbub of national pride, I acknowledge my daughter-in-law who is not American but British, a subject of that former enemy "across the pond." She and my son have gifted me with two adorable granddaughters. Love abounds.
Yet I imagine the scratching of my distant grandfather's quill as he took his stance. Perhaps he did so with prayer rather than hate for his enemy, for his enemy became a friend in time. And that friendship is now evident in my family.
Perhaps if I take my stance by praying for our nation's enemy, today's enemy will also become tomorrow's friend.
PRAY for the Diocese of Virginia (Province III, U.S.)
Ps 145 or 145:1-9; Deuteronomy 10:17-21; Hebrews 11:8-16
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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