Morning Prayer
Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Inspiration
There will be trouble in this world. There is darkness that is prevalent. Have you sensed it? Have you noticed the culture changing to appease society rather than God? While it may seem like nations are turning their backs on the Lord, he will not be forgotten. The Lord will make himself known. While we do not know his ways, we have faith that he will show his greatness and holiness. For those who believe, we can cling to this promise. In the end, every knee will bow and every nation will worship the Lord.
Prayer
Dear God, you rule over all the nations. When it seems like nations are turning away from you, we know that you will show your holiness. Your holiness will not be hidden. We can trust your promises that every nation will worship you and every knee will bow when your glory is revealed. I bow down to you, O Lord. May my life glorify your name and draw others to you. Use me to turn those in my community back to you, God. 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...
