Morning Prayer
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Inspiration
Humans are fearful beings. Survival is our primary goal, and the fear of death is one that many people struggle with for their entire lives. God has given us the chance to live without that primary fear. God has allowed all Christians to not fear judgment day and enjoy everlasting life. God's love for us is without fear, but can we say the same? This should be our ultimate goal, one that we must strive for. The reward: a life in heaven, next to our savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Eternal and forgiving God, you have shown me light of truthful and pure love. With all my being I wish to reciprocate it to you. Forgive me, my Lord, for my times of weakness and fear. My faith has wavered, my knees have buckled, my eyes have shed tears, but I pray that you know that I know that you were always with me. I long to stand next to you in heaven, and with each breath I take, I get closer to that day. Merciful God, I pray all of this to your 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...
