Devotion
When Trouble is in the Air
David Jacobs
If you have never been in a blizzard, you might not know just how powerful its swirling snow can be. Your vision becomes obstructed, and not just at long distances. The familiar becomes unrecognizable to the point that you might not even notice you are walking two feet from a barn that could provide you with shelter.
The writer of Psalms 25 was in a sort of blizzard of the mind, facing so many difficulties that it was impossible to see things clearly. Not knowing where to find shelter from this storm, the writer looks to God for freedom from the difficulties that afflict his mind. He knew that God has committed Himself to instructing his children. Since He sees all things, He is able to give us insight into our situation when we wait on Him.
When the Lord delivers his insight (sometimes right away, sometimes after waiting for a long time), we are often surprised by it. We may come to God expecting vengeance against the ones that hurt us, but instead received a reminder from the Spirit that vengeance is God's. Whatever our trouble is, God provides us guidance and watches over us like a parent watches over their children. Knowing this makes the blizzard a lot less scary.
Prayer
God has not only given us His truth, but has promised to teach us how to apply that truth. For example, someone might ask us to borrow money in an amount that seems unreasonable. After meditating on the request, God might reveal that persons need to us and call us to act.
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...
