Devotion
In the Tomb
Frances Taylor
If only we knew what this really meant for us, we wouldn't worry so much about dying. I must admit that the older I get, and the more loved ones I have lost, the less concerned I am with being dead. But wouldn't we all like to know what it means to be resurrected? This Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is kind of a strange day for me. Not really Lent, but not really Easter yet. What was going on for Jesus? We really don't know. So many questions, so few answers! We just have a lot to think about. How we feel about Lent coming to an end probably has a lot to do with how well we kept our Lenten promises. Are we happy we can have that ice cream, candy, beer, cigarette again? Or have we decided to keep up with the good habits we have practiced over these last 40 days? Perhaps the prayer habits we developed have left us with a new spirit, a new feeling of having drawn closer to Jesus, more aware of his sacrifice and how important it is to live as witnesses to our Christian faith. Tomorrow is Easter, let us rejoice and be glad!
Prayer
Father, how can we thank you for your gifts, especially the gift of your Son and his sacrifice. May we turn our hearts and minds to you and be made worthy to receive your blessings. 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...
