Devotion
For Whom Do I Live
Frances Taylor
Yesterday we reflected on the commandments. Today we look at St. Paul's response to the law. He talks about dying to the law so that he might live for God. The question remains for us, do we live for ourselves or do we live for Christ?
If I am aware that Christ lives in me by my baptism, and I am also aware that it is through him that I am saved, how can I not follow him and obey the law of God? The Old Testament tells us that the Ten Commandments can be summed up in the two great commandments – Love God and love your neighbor. When Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment, he quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. He didn't come to do away with the law, but pointed out how one should live it. It is also in Leviticus that we find the "Golden Rule," to do to others what we would have them do to us. How do we show our love for God?
Jesus tells us that we live our love of God by loving our neighbor. Paul showed his love of neighbor by spreading the Good News of salvation throughout the known world. Not all of us are expected to travel the world as missionaries, but we are expected to live in such a way that others are led to Christ. Throughout time men and women have used their gifts to spread the message of Christ.
Musicians still sing of God's glory, artists continue to paint offering us examples of the glory of creation and we are uplifted when we see images from the life of Christ in museums all over the world. We are not all gifted as musicians or artists, but we all have been gifted and are expected to use those gifts to God's glory.
Prayer
Lord, show me the path you have chosen for me so that I may 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...
