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.
WEDNESDAY, April 27 Wednesday in Easter Week
Acts 3:1-10. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”
Having spent a life begging by the temple gate, it was no surprise that the beggar was ill-suited to step right in and assume a normal life, complete with vocational and fiscal responsibilities. Sure, it was miraculous that he could now walk. But what then?
It would not be a stretch to imagine him returning to begging, maybe even “developing” symptoms of lameness again and truly believing he had gone lame. He would suspect it was his lack of faith that caused his relapse. After all, the guys who were healing in the name of Jesus left no room for other opinions. Turn on any TV evangelist and you’ll hear that if it doesn’t work, it’s your lack of faith.
Perhaps the more powerful story would be that Peter found him affordable housing and got him enrolled in vocational training and counseling. After all, a life on the streets is traumatic at best, and we’re still learning how deeply trauma affects us. And several years later, we’d like to hear, he was helping homeless people get on their feet!
PRAY for the Diocese of Nebraska (Province VI, USA)
Ps 105:1-8 or 118:19-24; Luke 24:13-35
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com or Oremus Bible browser.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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