Morning Prayer
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Inspiration
Those living in sin are living in darkness. Even more, they are living under the power of darkness. We have a true enemy and it exists in this power of darkness pulling us further away from the light and from truth. It is in darkness where we try to hide our sins. However, we do not have to live in darkness! God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to save us! When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, he is quick to forgive us and we become a part of his kingdom. There is no darkness in his kingdom. Praise God!
Prayer
Dear God, we know that spiritual warfare is real. The powers of darkness exist and they try to pull us away from the light and apart from you. Give me wisdom and strength to battle this darkness in your name. Thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, so that I no longer have to live in darkness but may rejoice as a member of your holy kingdom. We know you will conquer evil and darkness. Help me to live my life as a light shining in the darkness to help draw others to you. In Jesus' name, 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...
