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, May 4 (Monnica)
Leviticus 16:20-34. It is a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall deny yourselves.
And what shall we deny ourselves? In the Sunday paper an article described a rural farmer who lives on a total annual income of about $2,000. He grows most of his own food, makes and repairs his own clothing and tools, and has neither electricity nor plumbing in his farmhouse. The comments of amazement I've heard are not so much about how this man lives on such a small amount of money, but about how delighted he is with his life.
Through self-denial the farmer is living a Sabbath life--not a life of deprivation and hardship, but a life of zest, of enthusiastic appreciation for the beauty around him. He works hard, and he rests, and he enjoys the view! He knows the meaning of complete rest. Do you?
What is your understanding of Sabbath? What would you change in order to allow yourself to rest completely? What would you deny yourself?
The rabbis know that God has gifts for us that we can only receive within the Sabbath. Only then is there room in our hearts to receive. There is quiet there, so God can speak and be heard. (2000)
PRAY for the Diocese of Chichester (Canterbury, England)
Ps 61, 62 * 68:1-20(21-23)24-36; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Matthew 6:7-15
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How has the human dream become institutionalized?
Are we, the people, here just to be citizens?
Is the garden attainable? Are we really cast out? Or, do we cast ourselves out?
How long would I last in this environment if I took rest when I needed it; if, I stopped for prayer. The world would move on without me. My family would suffer or die.
I feel bullied and terrorized. I'm weary. Is there a pill for this? A drink? A ritual?