Devotion
Help those in need
David Jacobs
When Christ died on the cross we were saved. Our sins were washed away by the sacrifices of the lamb of God and we were tasked with living clean, moral lives, whilst sharing the gospel with our family around the world. Now what? Do we sit and twiddle our thumbs waiting for the end times? Or do we embody the spirit of the Lord and His sacrifice to help those who need it?
As a follower in Christ, we endure more responsibilities than most. We are bound by our Lord to be humble in all we do, and in doing so we may open our eyes to see that others around us are also in need of help. Once we have heard their call, we cannot turn our backs. Good deeds are our duties. However, if one is too charitable and spends too much time helping others, we may find we have nothing left and are now in need of the good of others. We must remember to do the good that is within our power to do. A farmer that gave away all his animals and land will surely starve in the winter.
Prayer
If we give away that which we do not have, we become indebted and rely on someone else to save us.
But don't let that process turn you into a miser. Whilst 'duty' sounds heavy and difficult, no duty truly is if done for our Lord God, and if we understand that is not only for the good of mankind, but it is for the glory of Heaven.
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...
