Devotion
Say a little prayer for ... who?
David Jacobs
Recently I went to visit some relatives and was there on the weekend. I am not the most social animal when it comes to meeting new people, so I was a little bit anxious about visiting a new church with my distant relatives. I am so used to my church that when I find myself given the opportunity to worship elsewhere, it can seem uncomfortable at first. Now that I have even written these words, I realize what a fool I am! Are we all not worshiping the same God? Upon our arrival at the church, I was immediately welcomed as if I had been going there my entire life. My family seemed to enjoy introducing me to their friends and other relatives at the church, and although I would normally feel a bit socially anxious, in this instance, I felt as I had known these people for a long time. The church and devotees of Christ are all one!
Praying and worshipping alone is quite easy. The majority of my prayers are about one person: me! How often do we pray for other people? Going a step further, how often do we pray for people far outside of our friend or family circle or even for our enemies? This passage in Colossians is a great example of a prayer made for other people; People that Paul had never met or probably would never meet. In fact, Paul the Apostle wrote Colossians while in prison! Surely, if he can be so selfless and caring about people that are nowhere near him, I can accept and appreciate the people in the church of my relatives! It can be hard to do, however, and this is where our challenge lies. How we behave in these challenges is what truly defines our character. How will you behave?
Prayer
Take some time to pray normally. Now write down a list of people that you would like to pray for and help, people that are close to you that you wish nothing but the best for. Now do the same thing but for people that have recently hurt you or that you may have negative feelings towards. Pray for them as well. I have found that this prayer exercise helps me feel much better about myself and more importantly, the next time I see these people I am more caring and patient than before.
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...
