Devotion
All are equal in the eyes of God
David Jacobs
Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's[a] table like one of the king's sons.
A good friend of mine has Tourette syndrome, a psychological disorder that causes him to have some motor and verbal tics. I often introduced or talked about him as my friend with Tourette's. Although he had gotten used to it, he pulled me aside one day and asked if having Tourette's was the only attribute of his character that I considered. "Why not introduce me as your generous friend or helpful friend?" I remember his asking. I couldn't help but wonder why I judged my friend on this sole attribute.
Jonathan, the oldest son of Saul, was one of David's closest friends when he was alive. David wants to honor his friendship with Jonathan by honoring any surviving relative of his. Luckily, he is introduced to Mephibosheth, one of Jonathan's sons. Before David meets him, he is told that Mephibosheth is lame in both feet, unable to walk. You can imagine how difficult survival would be for a person with a physical disability during that time. Similar to how I introduced my friend, David is immediately told of Mephibosheth's disability. Mephibosheth is surprised that he is summoned at all, maybe even afraid. David comforts him, explaining that he wants to honor the friendship that he has with Jonathan. Mephibosheth has such low self-worth that he wonders what David, the king of Israel, could want with a "dead dog" like him. David treats him as he would treat any surviving family member of Jonathan, allowing Mephibosheth to sit at the king's table and eat for all of this life.
Nothing strikes me more in these verses than Mephibosheth's opinion of himself: he views himself as a dead dog. People have thought of only one thing about him for his entire life: he is unable to walk. It made me think about how I have treated other people that have disabilities. God does not view them for only their disabilities, just like he does not view me only on my best or worst day. Follow God's lead, as David did and treat all people, regardless of their physical or mental capabilities, as equals.
Prayer
Try to notice what is similar about other people and who they really are rather than what makes them different.
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...
