Devotion
What message is written on your heart?
David Jacobs
Can you think of a law that has changed drastically during your lifetime? I am sure we can all think of some laws that changed from one generation to the next. People's attitudes and education can lead to large shifts in the law: what one generation may deem inappropriate, illegal, and abhorrent, the next generation may deem legal and justified. Some laws today may be technically legal may have sinful consequences. It is, for this reason, we must be noble in the eyes of God, not just in society.
Paul writes to the Corinthians about 'the letter' of the law (as originally inscribed in Judaism), in contrast to God's divine moral order. Laws may serve a purpose in regulating society, but as devotees of the word of God, they are not sufficient. There is a law written on us as well, on the "fleshy tables of the heart." We must share our word, through our words and deeds, so that all can bear witness to a higher "letter." We may be law-abiding citizens in society, which is indeed a noble act, but being noble in the eyes of God will prove perpetually valuable on judgment day.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, far above the trivial laws and letters created by mankind, we are so blessed to have received your word. I ask that you write upon my heart, dearest God, walking in your holy path. I pray that you help me to realize that it is your word, O Lord, that I must follow. Allow us to animate your moral order, and show us mercy. All of this I pray in your name. 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...
