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, October 14 (Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky)
Luke 9:18-27. If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
What does it mean to deny one’s self?
Picture yourself entering a gathering of people. Family, friends, or strangers—it doesn’t matter. You can enter filled with self or empty of self.
If you’re filled with self, you think every eye is on you as you enter. You seek like-minded people. You turn conversations to your own interests. You try to impress. You’re “on.” You’re selling. You avoid disclosing any “negative” emotions like fear or anger. Is it working? You can tell by how you feel. Sound familiar?
If you’re empty of self, you see the needs of other people. You’re available to whoever comes near. You draw out other people. They feel larger in your presence. You affirm. You share. Is it working? You look for clues in the other person’s eyes.
The self-emptying scenario sounds better, doesn’t it? Why, then, don’t we live this way? It’s risky. It’s often painful. But more than that, it requires intentionality. That’s what strikes me about Jesus’ own self-emptying. He planned it out in advance. He worked at it. We, too, need to be intentional about our lives, our faith and our self-denial. (1989)
PRAY for the Diocese of Ikwo (Province of Niger, Nigeria)
Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Jonah 3:1—4:11; Acts 27:27-44
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
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