Devotion
There is only one Messiah, Jesus
Frances Taylor
Jesus was walking around Jerusalem openly. The people knew that the Pharisees and the chief priests wanted to kill Jesus, but they couldn't understand why they were letting him walk around still teaching. Might the rulers have changed their minds and come to believe that Jesus was the Christ? I'm sure it was a confusing time for those who had heard and seen Jesus. Do you ever wonder if you would have been a believer? I do. You know, we have centuries of fathers in faith before us. Christianity has been handed down from one generation to another since the time of the apostles. But if you're anything like me, there have been times when you have had doubts. In fact, if you have never had doubts, then how do you know you have faith? As children, we learn about Jesus from our parents or grandparents, or others close to us, and because we trust them, we believe. As we grow older, we learn more about Jesus from many sources. Perhaps we read the Bible, or listened to or watched the evangelists on television or the radio. Maybe we went to church and listened to the preaching, but at some point, we have to make a decision. We either test out our doubts and come to a faith that is our own, or we can go along following others without an adult faith. Of course the last choice is to walk away. Just as the people of Jesus' time had to figure it out, so do we.
Prayer
Lord, you have planted the seed of faith within us and led us to this time of decision making. As adults, may we freely choose to follow 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...
