Devotion
One of You Will Betray Me
Frances Taylor
Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied him and the rest ran away. I don't know what I would have done in their situation but I'm glad I will never find out in such a dramatic fashion. However, when I have sinned, I have betrayed him. When I have not stood up for my faith, I have denied him, and when I walk away from situations and allow others to suffer because I did not act, I have run away. Holy Week gives us an opportunity once again to reread the Passion of Christ and reflect on what happened then, and what is happening now. Would I have been part of the crowd crying out for crucifixion? Would I have had the courage to stand at the foot of the cross? I think back over the times I have failed to do what I know is right, when I have acted in an unkind and sinful manner. At these times, I am in that raucous crowd, I am asking for crucifixion. I ask forgiveness for my sins of the past that Jesus bore on that cross for me. Once again, I pray that I will make better decisions in the year to come.
Prayer
Father forgive me for the burden I placed on your Son, Jesus,' shoulders. Give me the graces I need to do a more loving job in the year to come. 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...
