Devotion
God’s Law is Universal
Frances Taylor
No one likes to be insulted, to be lied to, to have their possessions stolen or defaced. I could go on, but you already get the idea. We know in our hearts what is right and what is wrong. God's law is imprinted there. It was further defined by the Ten Commandments and even more so by Jesus' law of love.
I always tell those unsure about right and wrong to ask themselves first, if they wouldn't like it done to them, and second, if they need to justify their actions, it's probably wrong. We really don't need to ask if original sin is an outdated idea since we all have a tendency to put ourselves first and God and everyone else in a sometimes distant second or third place. St. Teresa of Calcutta used to say that Baptism is a verb, not a noun. It is not something we get, but something we do. What difference does it make in your life that you are a baptized Christian? Does it affect the choices you make? Do you consider some of the commandments mere suggestions?
Moses told the people not to add or subtract from the law. Jesus told the Pharisees and scribes that they were hypocrites because they cared more for human precepts than God's law. James warned in his letter that we are not to be stained by the world. I seldom go to the movies and watch mostly reruns on TV because I am offended by the lack of morality presented. I worry about the example parents give when they use obscene and vulgar language in front of their children. The world seems to operate on the lowest level of morality – if it gives me pleasure, it's good; if it makes me uncomfortable or gives me pain, it's bad. God's law operates on the highest level – making choices based on the universal good. We are called to strive to be Christ-like. Maybe it's time to take a really good look at the choices we make.
Prayer
Lord, we know that your laws are not difficult, but we don't like to be told what to do We act like unruly children and do what we know we shouldn't. Help us to do a better job of being your children. Give us the graces we need to follow your commands. 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...
