Morning Prayer
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Inspiration
Sin is dirty and foul – it is the opposite of all things holy. We cannot be joined with Christ when we are covered in the stench of unrighteousness. Without a savior, we would always be covered in our sins. However, the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins if we confess and seek forgiveness. This holy cleansing only comes from His mercy – it cannot come from anything we do. No matter how good we try to be, we receive this gift of cleansing simply because he is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess our sins.
Prayer
Dear God, you have welcomed sinners to your table and given us a place beside you only through your mercy and grace. You forgive us when we cannot forgive ourselves. We know it is only through the sacrifice your Son made that we are made clean of all our unrighteousness. Thank you for your faithfulness and love. Give us opportunities to share the truth of your faithfulness and forgiveness with those who need to hear it. In Jesus' name, 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...
