Devotion
Salvation for All
Frances Taylor
For all those who might think that Jesus only listens to Christians, this should give them pause. Of course the people listening to this exchange were Jews, who thought that the Messiah was only for them. They and we are both wrong. This passage is only one example in Scripture where the healing power of Jesus acts in the life of a non-Jew. If we have any questions about it, these should answer them.
Jesus came for all. He answers the prayers of all. No one has an advantage, we are all God's children, we are all brothers and sisters of Jesus. One difference might be that we know God better and know what is expected of us more clearly than others who do not believe. For that reason, more might be expected of us in return. For those of us who claim a special relationship with Christ, it is not an option whether or not we follow the rules and examples that have been given to us.
We understand the importance of love and forgiveness, mercy and working for justice. The first letter of John tells us that God is love and anyone who loves is of God. Love is the key word. The woman who came to Jesus for healing for her daughter knew love and she trusted in the mercy of Jesus. And he didn't disappoint. When we reach out in prayer, he won't disappoint us either.
Prayer
Lord, you teach us by example that love has no boundaries, and that we, too must have no boundaries in our love of others. 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...
