TUESDAY, September 10 Philippians 1:12-30. Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Saint Francis of Assisi is often said to have coined the proverb, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” This is a mistaken attribution, but the sentiment still bears merit. Words are absolutely necessary for preaching the gospel, but so are actions. A former teacher of mine used to say that he could sum up his Christian testimony in two words: “Watch me.” Experiential modes of learning are important and powerful. We can spread the gospel of Christ with our words from sunup to sundown, but if our actions and our ways of being in the world are sharing a different message, our words are undone. In the Epistle to the Philippians, Paul writes words of encouragement from prison, moving Christians to act out their faith confidently, even in a world where these beliefs could earn persecution and ridicule. When I hear Paul’s words today, I think, How am I living authentically now? Do my actions and ways of being point back to a loving God in Christ, or to something else? I strive for this worthiness every day, and though I so often fall short, there is good even in the effort. PRAY for the Diocese of Seychelles (Indian Ocean) Today the Church remembers Alexander Crummell, 1898. Ps 45 * 47, 48; 1 Kings 16:23-34; Mark 16:1-8(9-20)
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:31:27 +0000