Devotion
Love Defends
Chipo Biti
Jonathan and David had a friendship that was bonded in love. They didn't just see each other as friends, they treated each other as if they were brothers. They were so close with each other the Bible records that they "knit with the soul" which means that they were in one accord. They loved each other like brothers. This friendship continued until Jonathan's tragic death. David was so moved by Jonathan's death, he pledged to take care of anyone who was part of Jonathan's family. When David discovered that Jonathan had a son who was born with a disability, he took him in and treated him like royalty. He remained loyal to the promise that he made.
But Jonathan was just as loyal to David as David was loyal to him. When Saul had grown to resent David, he announced that he was going to kill David. Jonathan did not take this in silence or complacency. He went straight to David and told him what his father was planning to do. Jonathan cared about David so much, he chose to protect him instead of enable his father's murderous schemes.
Jonathan also fought for David. He went to his father and convinced him not to kill David. He pleaded for David's sake and made sure that his father saw the error of his ways. Jonathan brought up the fact that David was the one who saved Israel; it would be wrong for his father to murder him. Saul listened to Jonathan and chose not to kill David.
Friends should be willing to go beyond their personal interests to look out for one another. Jonathan took a great risk by opposing his father's orders and defending David. But he counted the risk to be worth it because of his friendship with David.
Prayer
Follow the example of Jonathan and David and love each other as if you are family. Look out for your friends and fight for them when they need to be defended. Go beyond your selfish interests and choose to be there for them. Let this be done out of love and selflessness.
Devotion
Culpability
Frances Taylor
This is an interesting passage because, among other things, it talks about sin and who is considered guilty of sin. Paul is talking about how he has been forgiven, how God has been merciful to him because his actions were committed in unbelief. In order for sin to be committed, one needs to know he is committing it. No one can commit sin in retrospect. Sin is always a deliberate act. This can be hard for some to understand. Actions can be considered sinful, even though the person committing them may not be culpable. For example, lying is a sin. However, is the two year old hiding behind the curtains sinning when he or she claims not to have broken the vase? No, because the child has no understanding of the difference between truth and lie. Those who do not have a relationship with God, who do not know the commandments, who have never heard of Jesus, may commit sinful actions, but are not guilty of sin. This is what Paul claims is his situation. Paul ...
Morning Prayer
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ) full of grace and truth.
Inspiration
When the Lord sent his only Son, he sent also his word. For his body was this very word made flesh. Importantly this was not simply a manifestation of God's word, but also rather an 'animation' of it (meant here in the original Latin as 'animare' –'to instill with life or spirit'), an instance of God's love and divine grace in action, among us.
Prayer
Lord, I am grateful for your mercy in showing us your word made flesh so that we may be redeemed. Further, I am grateful to you for showing us your love and grace through your only begotten son. Let his body not have been torn and broken for no avail, but feed us now in the Eucharist. Let not his blood have...
