Devotion
Smiling Is Easy for Those Who Are Saved
David Jacobs
The term 'Poker Face' has become universally recognized as a blank expression used to hide one's own thoughts, feelings and motivations. It's essentially a behavior used to deceived folk in order to bluff, con, trick and cheat your way to victory. Gambling aside, a poker face is a classic example of the behavior of a wicked person. The wicked or the weak will put up a front to cover their crimes or transgressions. Beware! God knows the truth even if people may be fooled.
Prayer
When you are saved by The Lord, when you have repented, when you receive communion, you are able to wear your own face. You have nothing to hide, no one to trick and no need for gambling. Your smile is genuine because it is without compromise. You are a free member of God's glorious creation and you have a lot to smile about. If you are upright, God will direct your way. Blessed are you!
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...
