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, September 16 (Ninian of Galloway) Ember Wednesday
Matthew 4:18-25. Follow me.
Several years ago I visited the Holy Land. It is not easy to travel around Jerusalem, Galilee, and Judea. The terrain is uneven and paths are steep and rocky. When I crossed the Sea of Galilee, a sudden windstorm arose and I could identify with the disciples who were afraid. What made those fishermen leave everything and follow this itinerant preacher who offered them nothing but hardship?
This question might also be asked of us today. When we are baptized and confirmed we choose to follow Jesus. Our life would be less complicated without that promise. Following Jesus means putting others ahead of self, striving to meet standards higher than those of the world, and even sacrificing ourselves.
So why do we do it? Because Jesus is pure love, and love is hard to resist. The rational thing for the disciples (and for us) would be to run the other way. But often we do irrational things in the name of love. Sometimes that gets us in trouble. But thank God that I can follow Jesus and be irrational. It is the irrational love of God, seen in Jesus, that I aspire to.
PRAY for the Diocese of Southern Nyanza (Kenya)
Ps 72 * 119:73-96; 1 Kings 22:1-28; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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