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.
Matthew 11:7-15. Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
John the Baptist set the table so that Jesus could celebrate the feast. No table-setting, no feast; it is as simple as that. As for us, we are all table-setters and we are all diners at the feast. Those who came before us set the table for us and we set the table for those who come after us. It is a never-ending process.
Important as John the Baptist was in preparing for Jesus’ coming, those who have had the benefit of Jesus’ teaching are even more blessed. Still, as we celebrate the coming of the kingdom, we must keep setting the table so that others may join in the celebration.
Because more has been given to us than was given to John the Baptist, more is required of us. We feast at the table and then keep resetting it by living out our faith as fully as possible.
As the hand is made for holding and the eye for seeing, you have fashioned me for joy, O God. Lead me to find that joy everywhere: in teh violet's beauty, in the lark's melody, in the child's face, in a mother's love, in the purity of Jesus.
--Ancient Gaelic prayer
PRAY for the Diocese of Tanga (Tanzania)
Ps 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; 2 Kings 25:8-12, 22-26; 1 Corinthians 15:12-29
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