Devotion
Lions and lambs
David Jacobs
There is a popular video online of a lion named Christian. Christian was raised by two men when he was a cub after they found him when he was injured as a baby. They took care of the cub as they would with any pet or child, until the lion was too big for them to care for. It was time for Christian to be released into the wild.
A few years later, Christian had been living in the wild and was a fully grown adult lion. Perhaps foolishly, the two men that raised him went to see how he was doing. In the shocking video, Christian the lion runs at his two parents and starts to play with them and lick them, like he was a cub again. It is a heartwarming scene, one that I am reminded of when reading these verses.
Isaiah speaks about God's judgment of humanity. He says that humanity will not be judged based on the sight of humanity, but on righteousness. The poor and meek who did not try to take too much will inherit the earth. They will inherit God's kingdom. This message provided hope to all the people that would have heard it, and is almost mimicked by Christ when he lives amongst us.
Prayer
Holy Lord, God of power and might, you shall judge the quick of the dead. We are so fortunate, O Lord, that you judge not based on our worldly achievements but on the quality of our spirit. Strengthen my spirit, O Lord, so that I may, in turn, strengthen those around me, as did Isaiah. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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...
