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.
SUNDAY, July 11 7 Pentecost
Luke 10:25-37. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan there is one character who is usually overlooked: the animal, probably a donkey. Yet that beast was a life-saver. God made him an instrument of one person helping another. He could not be the hero of the story, for he could not voluntarily choose to help the wounded stranger at his own risk and expense. The ability to choose to do God's will is the high dignity of humankind alone. Animals serve God's purposes unknowingly.
We have not only the dignity of free choice, but also the responsibility to use and care for God's creatures rightly and humanely. Animals are to be used for God's glory, in the work of love. That is why God gave us dominion over the beasts of the field and the fruits of the earth.
We can also learn some things from the animals if we have the humility to do so. The patience of the ox, the fidelity of the dog, the courage of the mother wren protecting her offspring, the industry of the bee and the ant: surely God wants us to mark well and to learn. (1960)
PRAY for The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea and the Diocese of Aipo Rongo
Ps 82 and Amos 7:7-17 –OR – Ps 25:1-9 and Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Colossians 1:1-14
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