Devotion
Strengthen the mind, enlighten the heart
David Jacobs
For any readers that are in a committed relationship, what is it that has kept that relationship going? Is it commitment? Passion? Understanding? Or is it a combination of these things? Many of us can remember the early stages of a loving relationship and the fiery passion and excitement that often comes with it. This flame is hard to keep constant, and the same is true of our most important relationship: our relationship with God.
God is worried about us. He worries that we may waste His time. He worries that one moment we may be passionate, and the next not. Paul realized this, and his letter to the Ephesians implores the believers there not to focus solely on one aspect of the relationship with God. Many avenues must be traveled. Many methods must be cultivated in order to grow a lasting and fruitful relationship with the Lord.
Paul asks the Ephesians to strive for spiritual perfection. By cultivating our relationship with God and teaching about it to others, we find unity with Christ. In our quest for spiritual perfection, we will discover a renewed passion that will help us work hard to strengthen our minds to learn more about the word of God, and in doing so we will enlighten our hearts, building a stronger and more passionate relationship that can last forever.
Prayer
My Lord and Savior, share with me your of love for all of mankind. Help me to realize that in pursuing a perfect relationship with you I will instill a newfound hope, discover untold riches, and witness the glory of your ways. Grant me the strength to do your work, and in doing so, gain greater unity with you. Amen.
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...
