Devotion
Leprosy was and is a terrible condition. In ancient times a person with any open sore was suspected of having leprosy and had to remain outside the camp – trying to survive as best he or she could, avoiding other people. In order to be able to rejoin the community, a person whose sores had healed needed to show him/herself to the priest as proof of the healing. After Jesus heals the leper he tells him to go show himself to the priest so that he may be able to rejoin the community. He also tells him not to tell others how he was healed – an impossible task for the man who can't wait to spread the news St. Paul tells us that everything he does is for the spread of the gospel and for the glory of God – not himself. Here is where he is imitating Jesus, by giving credit to the Father. It can be easy for someone who has been gifted by God with beauty, intelligence, success, educational opportunities, wealth, athletic ability, etc. to take credit for his or her achievements. However, these are gifts given by God and we are given gifts so that we may use them to build up the kingdom, not to build up ourselves. As imitators of Christ, we are called to use the gifts we have been given wisely and with gratitude. As St. Paul says, do everything for the glory of God, and not for our own benefit, but so that others will be led to Christ by our example and thereby know the joy of salvation.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we have received so much from you, so many gifts and blessings. Let us use these gifts to proclaim the Good News in joy to all we meet. Amen.
Devotion
My Refuge, My Fortress
Frances Taylor
When we are in trouble, where do we turn? Is God our first thought? Do we really believe that God is our fortress, and our refuge? From the beginning Scripture tells us to trust in God. From Adam and Eve, we find human beings want to trust in themselves first. When we fail, then we turn to God. Ever wonder what it might be like to turn to God first? If we turn to God and place our trust in him, it would save us a lot of unnecessary anxiety. The key is trust. We need to trust that God knows best, that he is with us through whatever is going on, that our prayers are being heard. The difficulty is that we think we know what's best and we can get upset when God has other plans. We pray and don't like the answer, or don't want to wait for the answer.
I remember a story once told me about how we can miss God's answer because it wasn't the answer we wanted. A woman had to work to pay her bills and her mother got sick and needed full time care. She ...
Morning Prayer
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; )
Inspiration
I must admit that in times of trouble I have demanded that God show me a sign, talk to me, anything to reinforce my faith in him. What an ego I have! We are blessed to be given the gift of life on earth and life everlasting. It is through his mercy that we have the opportunity to be saved at all. Seek this opportunity and ye shall find it.
Prayer
Father! My heart cries out to you for mercy! We are the clay, and you our potter and all of us are the work of Your hand. Our ancestors have praised you, and now it is our blessing to do the same. I pray that you will use me as a tool for good, and deliver me from sin. I wish to do all things in your holy name, as your son, Jesus Christ, did for us. In his name I pray, Amen.
