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.
TUESDAY, August 11 (Clare of Assisi)
Mark 10:1-16. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.
The distribution of communion had ended and the clergy had returned to the altar to begin clearing the used vessels and reserved sacrament. The acolytes had swung open the large communion rail gates, and the congregation was singing the last verse of the post-communion hymn. Just then a small girl, maybe three or four, came running down the long center aisle, chased by a somewhat exasperated parent. "Wait!" the child cried, "I want Jesus!"
She climbed the steps and headed straight through the open gate into the sanctuary and plopped down at one of the prayer desks, extending her hands. The breathless mother arrived immediately thereafter with a chagrined look of "I'm-so-sorry-now-what-do-I-do?" The priest winked at the mother, smiled at the girl, and took a chalice and wafer down to her. The hymn being over, the whole congregation waited and watched as she received the body and blood of our Lord. As she returned to her pew with a look of holy satisfaction on her face, some began to applaud.
Truly I tell you....
PRAY for the Diocese of Sabongidda-Ora (Bendel, Nigeria)
Ps 97, 99, [100] * 94, [95]; 2 Samuel 14:1-20; Acts 21:1-14
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
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Just a thought, but I wonder why Mark put this reference to the children with Jesus immediately after Jesus talking about divorce? Was it just coincidence? Maybe...