Devotion
Who Do We Believe
Frances Taylor
The people of Jesus' time were looking for a Messiah, but a Messiah of their own design. We forget sometimes, that the Jewish people of every generation were waiting for the promised Messiah. Jesus even mentions in this passage that he is aware of the attention paid to the Scriptures to try and figure out who the Messiah might be. Jesus also tells them that a reading of the Scriptures leads to him. Unfortunately, they wanted someone who would be a military leader and Jesus wasn't it. What are we looking for when we think about Jesus? You and I both know that people show up every once in a while proclaiming that they are the Messiah. They will lead us to God if only we listen to them and follow them without question. Often these people have caused damage to the lives of their followers, and some of their followers have lost their lives. There is only one Messiah, Jesus. If we believe that he is sent by the Father in order that we might be saved and also to teach us the way to the Father, then we need to pay attention to his word and not to the words of others claiming to know a better way.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you sent us Jesus as our Savior. You gave us the Scriptures to lead us to understand his message. Help us to keep our eyes on him and learn from him so that we might spend eternity with 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...
