Devotion
Go, Tell the Good News
Frances Taylor
It would be easy to read this gospel passage and get depressed! However, this is only if you read it with a narrow focus. Jesus was speaking to the "Chosen People" of Israel, those who were first, and yet didn't seem to get the message. We are actually the "last" because we are descendants of those who were brought to Jesus through the work of the disciples. But what is the "narrow gate?" It's really not enough to say that we know "about" Jesus; that we went to church a few times. The question is really, but what did we DO? The answer to the question about what it means to do the will of God is really, "Go out to all the world and tell the Good News." This is from the gospel of Mark, then how do we do this? If you have ever been in love, you know that it is almost impossible not to let people know about it. And, if you do try to keep it a secret, all someone has to do is look at your face and they can tell there's something different about you. You light up when you see those you love be it friends, children or your spouse! Do you light up when you are in the presence of God? Does your face glow when you talk about your faith? How do people know that you love God? Are you the kind one in your neighborhood, at work, at school – at home? Is your life – and I ask the same questions of myself – a witness to what you profess to believe? St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying that we should preach the gospel always and, if necessary, use words. As we go forward with our efforts of the new evangelization in our planning, the answers to these questions become even more important. Our role as disciples is to go and tell the good news. May those who know us and come to know us see in our words and our works that we truly believe that the "Good News" is Jesus.
Prayer
Gracious God, help me to show my love for you in my actions as well as my words. Help me lead others to you. 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...
