Devotion
You can do it!
David Jacobs
The American inventor Henry Ford once said 'Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right'. This sentiment is reflected in a quote from Yoda in the movie Star Wars; "Do or do not. There is no try." But what can we learn from Jesus Christ about this attitude?
We are asked to use our own will, our mind to set hopes on grace being brought to us when Jesus returns. At first glance, it may seem like a threat 'you better pray he's nice to you'. But that's a superficial understanding. What we're being asked to do is to focus our minds and intentions towards receiving the Lord's grace when he returns. Only when we set our alert and sober thoughts towards earning Jesus' blessings can we prepare ourselves to live a life of good action that enables us to open up and receive them. When we think we can, we are right. We don't try, we just do.
How quickly do we expect things these days? With so much information quickly at our fingertips, it is easy to forget that eternity awaits us.
Prayer
We must not waste our time on Earth. Study, stay sharp and stay focused on what is important: living a life in the name of Jesus.
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...
