Devotion
My Light and My Salvation
Frances Taylor
This psalm is such a favorite of mine that I have requested it for my funeral. My life has seen a lot of loss, grandparents, parents, siblings, a child, grandchildren and my marriage. Especially following the death of my son, people would ask how I could go on. For me, the answer was obvious; I knew that God was with me all the way. His presence in my life was a constant from my youngest days, and I am eternally grateful for that. Now this doesn't mean that I didn't tell God that I wasn't happy with some of the things I had to deal with! We had many conversations when I was alone in my car and no one could hear me complaining! I always figured that God has big shoulders so he could handle it. After all, even Jesus questioned him in the garden that night. My faith in him is strong enough that I believe that he will answer my deep-seated desire to spend eternity with my loved ones in the presence of my loving God.
Prayer
Loving God, you are with me always. I believe that you will answer my prayers and continue to be by my side as unwanted pain comes into my life as time goes by. For this I give you thanks. 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...
