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.
THURSDAY, August 27 (Thomas Gallaudet with Henry Winter Syle)
Mark 14:12-26. They began to be sorrowful, and to say to him one after another, "Is it I?" (RSV)
Who would willingly betray Jesus? "Not me!" say the disciples. God forbid! But if they knew deep in their hearts that they would not be the one, why did they question, "Is it I?" Is it perhaps that each of them, like each of us, knew that he had already betrayed Jesus in myriad ways?
We betray Jesus when we leave him in church on Sunday and refuse to take him with us into the rest of the week. We betray him when we are indifferent to the suffering of those around us. We betray him when we refuse to work for reconciliation in our relationships and our communities. We betray him when we allow others to mock or deride him without rejoinder. We betray him when we choose the way of ease, comfort, and excuses over the way of the cross. We betray him when we--you fill in the blank.
"Lord, is it I? Lord, have mercy." Thanks be to God, Jesus does. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
‘Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee:
I crucified thee.
-Johann Heermann (The Hymnal 1982, #158)
PRAY for the Diocese of Shyira (Rwanda)
Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; 1 Kings 3:16-28; Acts 27:27-44
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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was about by the time we arrive home from church. I don't write daily but I do appreciate your take on matters so important.