Devotion
Feeling or everlasting:
which would you prefer?
David Jacobs
Ah, that clever serpent! If only he hadn't convinced Adam and Eve to sin. How wonderful life would be...but wait, without sin and pain, how would we understand love and beauty? Without evil, would good exist?
In Genesis 1, God creates everything, including light and darkness (Genesis 1:2-5). Light is good, darkness is bad. Darkness existed, but temptation as we understand it in these verses, is not yet introduced. Adam and Eve were already created in the likeness of God, but they wanted more. They wanted to be even more like Him. It didn't take much convincing from a creature that they did not even know, but the lure of temptation was too strong. Giving into their temptation, sinning, is rewarded with alienation, pain, and death.
The temptation of drugs, lust, and sloth is strong. It has afflicted much of society today. In fact, it has afflicted so much of society that these temptations and sins have been glorified. Where do these temptations lead? Alienation, pain, and death. There is no glory, no peace, and no reward for giving in. Although it may seem exciting and appealing at first, these temptations are fleeting; these worldly delights will not last, but we have been shown the path to a life everlasting. The choice is ours.
Prayer
Are you struggling with a recurring temptation or addiction? Do you know of someone else that is struggling with one? Go to God and seek His love. Addiction and temptation is usually a result of loneliness. Seek out other devotees of Christ, for there is strength in numbers. Surround yourself with other faithful Christians and your faith will be reinforced.
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...
