TUESDAY, August 24 Saint Bartholomew

Luke 22:24-30. A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Francis of Assisi sought obscurity and found greatness. Many other people who sought no fame are remembered centuries later, while the important and notable people of their day—the people in high position and high regard—are long forgotten.

All of us have our greatness in God. This is what the disciples in their dispute over who was greatest did not realize. In the sight of God they had a greatness which they needed only to accept and in which they could find joy.

The same is true for us. We may burn ourselves out trying to achieve greatness or status. We may be unhappy because others hold positions of great importance and we do not. We may be filled with envy and jealousy or bitterness because we have not achieved our hopes and goals. We can take heart because we have our greatness in God—in that we can rejoice. We are God’s children, and nothing can take that away from us. (1981)

We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds. —Psalm 75:1

PRAY for the Diocese of George (Southern Africa)

Ps 91 or 91:1-4; Deuteronomy 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 4:9-15

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (3) Add Comment

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Greatness

Aug 24, 2010 at 7:15 am

Written by Stephen Miller,

The older I get the more I am convinced that in all one does there must be a central element of service, in business, in friendships and family. Our culture has gotten too far from that. Business is only good when we suck every ounce of profit from consumers or unwitting prey. Friends are only a means to an end, and family and marriage is only desirable when everything is going well. Animals are mere products to be exploited. Powers-that-be play on our fears of others like Muslims and immigrants. We look to Jesus for comfort, but are we comforting? Do we seek to understand others and see how we can be of service?

Editor, Forward Day by Day

Aug 24, 2010 at 8:59 am

Written by Richard H. Schmidt,

That is a thoughtful, insightful comment, Stephen. Starting from the meditation, it leads in several directions. That's what I like to do with a meditation or Bible passage, read it and let it take me wherever it will, which isn't always where I would have expected to go. Thanks for your comment.

...

Aug 24, 2010 at 9:38 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

This is Good News. There is another encouraging aspect of accepting that my only true greatness is in God:

I can do it now.

Write comment

Show/hide comment form

The History of Forward Movement:

Weary and Divided Church | The First Publication | Church Moves Forward | Name Change | The First Editor

Check out Lent Madness -- daily devotions with the saints that are fun and informative.

Download the new Readers' Guide for the February Forward Day by Day! Updated monthly.

Signup for e-news

10ways-to-pray 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.

Start a Subscription Prayer Chapel

Resources

Today's Meditation Podcast Día a Día (Spanish Version) Editor’s Notes Mobile Reading For Today A Morning Resolve How to Use Forward Day by Day Scripture Listings

Latest Meditations

Meditation Archives

February, 2012 January, 2012 December, 2011 November, 2011 October, 2011 September, 2011 August, 2011 July, 2011 June, 2011 May, 2011 April, 2011 March, 2011

Request a Catalog Make a Donation