Devotion
Live in brotherly love, not fearing man
David Jacobs
I was born in Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. Philadelphia is a great city, filled with passionate and hard-working people, was an important center in early American history, and is known for its tough and straightforward citizens. I love the city and always will, but there is a bit of irony in calling it the city of brotherly love. There are few places in America with a populace of sharper-tongued and strong individuals. Let's examine these verses and see how we can learn to be more in touch with our emotions by becoming more in touch with God.
Firstly, we must love one another, even strangers. Everyone is going through their own trials and tribulations. Next, marriage is the backbone of a healthy society, and is perhaps evidenced by the crumbling state of our moral codes today. We should not covet because it corrodes not only our relationships with others but also the things we already have. When we envy others, it makes us devalue what we already have and not give thanks for what the Lord has provided. Lastly, if we do all of these things, we will never be afraid of bullies, never be afraid of the sharp-tongued Philadelphians, never be afraid of our fellow men. We would live in peace, our energy would be spent giving thanks to God, living in a world of brotherly love.
Prayer
What are the characteristics of the place where you grew up? How has religion affected your home?
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...
