A Journey With Matthew

For a while now, I've been intrigued by a ministry called The Bible Challenge, a ministry started by an Episcopal priest named Marek Zabriskie. Recently, though, I came across a 50-day challenge entitled A Journey With Matthew that is a part of the same ministry. I've decided to jump in and see how it goes and I want to invite others to join me.

The book is published by Forward Movement, a ministry of The Episcopal Church. All of Matthew's Gospel (NRSV) is in this little book published by them, divided up into fifty days worth of reading. So day one, is, for example, Matthew 1:1-25. And then there is a reflection that follows, written by a terrific group of people that includes Fred Borsch, Barbara Crafton, Michael Curry, Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, Mark Portaro and others. One page. And then a question and a prayer.

I am going to do this, but I want to invite friends to join me - whether or not you happen to be an Episcopalian or even a Christian. Many years ago I taught an Elderhostel class on the Four Gospels that included both Jews and Christians, an almost equal mix of each. It was a rich experience for all of us. Matthew in particular, the most "Jewish" of the four gospels, would make for an ideal interfaith experience.

I can't promised I'll blog every day, but I'll blog more often, even if just a brief comment or reflection. I am going to start on Sunday, June 1 and read for fifty consecutive days.

Here is one nice thing for Episcopalians and others who are part of congregations that use the Revised Common Lectionary: we are currently in Year A, which is the year dedicated to Matthew's Gospel. So we have been and will continue through the summer until we get to the first Sunday of Advent on November 30, be reading from Matthew's Gospel on Sunday mornings. So the experience of taking this fifty-day challenge will enrich our experience of common prayer as well.

Who's in?

You can read the post for Day 1 by clicking here.