Morning Prayer
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Inspiration
Do you honestly confess to your sins? On the surface of it, it is easier to confess and own up to the largest errors when one has clearly been caught, for these sins are the most blatant and glaring. However for the true follower of Christ, who knows there is no realm which may hide or obscure itself from God's light, real courage comes in facing the darkest desires of one's heart, even if they have not yet been committed, or have instead been covered up. In asking for forgiveness not because one is caught, or for fear of retribution, but rather in clearing one's conscience, in obedience to a moral order of purging one's heart before one's maker, this is a mark of the truly faithful, the truly courageous. Evil often stems from weakness, of not being able to look it in the eye fully, or giving it a disguise. With God's divination, we may trust and find this power to purge it from our souls.
Prayer
Lord Almighty, in your infinite wisdom and glory, you know and see me better than I do mine own self, therefore grant me the courage to face my sins and wicked desires. Let me not give them shelter in secret and in shadow, to harbor their temptations and will, where they may grow stronger; but help me purge them in your light, and cast them out of your Eden in Heaven. 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...
