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, May 2 Easter 5
Acts 11:1-18. What God has made clean, you must not call profane.
There is something in us which believes that when something is so once, it is always so. An applicant for a job as rector wrote that he had spent some time in prison, had been asked to leave towns on several occasions, and had often been in court. Of course his application was turned down. The amazed vestry was then told that the application could easily have been from
The prejudicial outlook "Once a jailbird, always a jailbird" would deny to the church the benefits of a Paul and his gifts for evangelism.
The early church was in a dilemma. They wanted to remain true to their Judaic past but they also had to acknowledge that God was calling those into his fold who were not of Jewish background. What to do? At first Peter and Paul took opposite positions, Peter seeking to limit church membership to Jews and Paul wanting to welcome everyone. Paul's vision of a church with arms wide open prevailed. We are called to be loyal to old traditions even as we act in new ways. That calls for us to accept a lot of inconsistency. We need God's grace in order to do so. (1990)
PRAY for The Anglican Church of
Ps 148; Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
New! Forward Day by Day is available on your Kindle or Nook!
Learn more about how you can support the Unapologetically Episcopalian Campaign to transform the church! Forward Movement stands ready -- and you can help. Don't forget to "like" Unapolgetically Episcopalian on Facebook.
Send Us Your Cat or Dog Photos!
Forward Movement is accepting photo submissions for EpiscoCats and EpiscoPups – our 15-month, wall-hanging calendars. If your pet is chosen, you’ll receive a photo credit and 5 complimentary copies of the calendar. Click here for submission guidelines!
Claim Your Free Gift Now! Simply subscribe to our e-news by using the form below. You will then be able to download our "Ten Ways to Pray" ebook!
Be sure to confirm your preferences and check your email after subscribing. The link to your free gift is found in your "Welcome" email.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
