Devotion
The Great High Priest
Frances Taylor
Have you ever wondered about facing judgment at the time of your death? It can be difficult to even think about death, let alone being judged. Is there any one of us who wants to think about an alternative to being welcomed into heaven? If so, this passage from the letter to the Hebrews can give us hope. Jesus came to win salvation for us but gave us so much more. First, he gave us an example of what it is to live a fully human life, a life of love, forgiveness and compassion, a life of obedience and fidelity. He also gave us the gift of freedom from fear of God and a new image of a God who wants to be thought of as "Daddy." Jesus, our great high priest, will be the one who can understand what it means to be human with all the struggles, the fears, the challenges and the weaknesses present in our lives. Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is like a two-edged sword that divides us, opening us up and exposing our goodness as well as those less savory aspects of our lives. We are so grateful that Jesus understands us. Going back to the first question in this reflection, I like to think that I am doing God's will, that my good deeds will outweigh the not so good. But I know I can't be sure. And I feel blessed that Jesus knows me so well and can testify on my behalf when the time comes.
Prayer
Compassionate and forgiving God, I ask you to keep me on the right path and when I fail, to forgive my weakness and lead me home. 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...
