Devotion
Hey buddy, you have some dust in your eye!
David Jacobs
It is not easy to be criticized, even if it is constructive. My lovely wife, who I love more than anyone except my children (don't tell them), gave me a healthy piece of advice that maybe some of you have heard as well: "Honey, why don't we join a gym?" She wanted me to be healthier and live longer, but her question made me defensive: why should I join a gym if she doesn't go to the gym? It made me sad that this was my initial reaction because I realized eventually that she was not trying to tell me that she thought I was unattractive. She was telling me that she wanted someone to go to the gym with her! I was quite embarrassed that I felt the way I did...luckily I kept my mouth shut.
We don't always receive constructive criticism; sometimes it is destructive. Have you heard the phrase, "the pot calling the kettle black"? It means when someone tells you that you act a certain way, generally with a negative connotation, that they also exhibit. It reminds me of these verses from the gospel of Matthew. If King David said to his sons, "I can't believe you committed adultery. That is so bad," I can only imagine how they would roll their eyes considering the actions of their father (2 Samuel 11). We should focus on our own problems rather than criticizing the problems of others. All this criticism does is fall on deaf ears and get flung back in our face because it is like a black pot calling a black kettle...black.
Nobody is perfect, yet we all have a chance to be redeemed. We should focus on our own salvation and in doing so, led by example.
Prayer
Do not put others down and try to tell them how to live their lives; live your own life as we know we should: according to the word of God, following the path lain out by his son, Jesus Christ. 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...
