Devotion
Put On the Armor of God
Frances Taylor
St. Paul warns us that there will be evils to fight in the day to day of our lives, and so tells us to put on the armor of God. We're in a battle even if we don't know it. Satan has been doing battle for the souls of men and women from the beginning, starting in Eden and won't end until the end of time. We aren't much better at recognizing him now than Adam and Eve. How do we protect and defend ourselves? Paul, gives us the answer but we don't always listen to him. We get up in the morning and prepare for our day: washing, eating, dressing, etc. but what about praying. Do we ask God each day to bless us in our comings and goings, to bless our work and our play, to be with us each moment of the day? This is putting on the armor of Christ. Asking Jesus to walk with us! I fail in this many times as well. Usually I remember to say thanks for another day, and I ask God to protect my loved ones, but I don't always remember to ask God to be with me. This is the final week before Holy Week, and Satan will be working overtime to lead us away from our Redeemer. Let us be ever vigilant.
Prayer
Lord, it is so easy to go on our way, forgetting that Satan is active in our lives as well as in our world. Make us ever more aware of your presence during these days. 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...
