Devotion
Starting over
David Jacobs
There are many times we wish we could start over. Sometimes we make careless mistakes or regret our decisions; however, we must live with them. This can be hard to accept, but it is in Revelation 21:1-7 where we find God's creation of the new Jerusalem. " And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4). God can provide us with a new start when we find ourselves trapped in the old.
Prayer
One of the greatest gifts God can provide us is the opportunity to start fresh. If we are not satisfied with the way our current life is going, it is our faith in Him that provides us the courage and strength to start over. Much like the creation of the new Jerusalem, opportunities are provided to us by God. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7). This passage should provide us with the guidance we need whenever we are scared to abandon our former situation to search for a better one. We should be reminded that our faith in Christ will allow us to overcome any difficulties we face.
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...
