Devotion
Our Obedience Can Be Fleeting
Frances Taylor
We have a very small attention span at times. When we want or need something from God, our prayers are fervent, we promise to change and do a better job of following him. But then things get better, we might or might not remember to say thank you, and things go back to normal. And then what? God gets put on the back burner and we go along our merry way, things get out of hand again and we can't figure out why. And then we start praying again, promising this or that – please help me and I'll never do that again, I'll go to church every Sunday, I'll pay more attention to my family, etc. We read the Bible and wonder why the Israelites just couldn't stay faithful to God. Well, let's look at ourselves! Are we really that much different than the Israelites? I don't think so. I see myself in this, perhaps you do as well. It's Lent. We're almost at the half-way point. Are you still as fervent as you were on Ash Wednesday? Is it time to get back on track? Let us thank God for his patience with us.
Prayer
Gracious God, you are more patient with us than we deserve. We keep running to you when we are in trouble and you are always there. Thank you for your goodness. 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...
