Devotion
The Spirit of Truth
Frances Taylor
Jesus knew the apostles wouldn't be able to understand everything he had told them immediately. It would take time and would need the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. It is no easier to distinguish truth today than for the apostles. We are also still coming to a better understanding of the Scriptures as they are a living Word of God, meant for the times in which they were written as well as today. We are still in need of the guidance of the Spirit to understand what God wants us to learn from him today and how the Scriptures apply to our decisions. We are always in the process of learning more and more about Jesus and his teachings. Just as with the apostles, we cannot grasp it all at once. We need to take advantage of all opportunities to grow in our faith. Each time we reread the gospels we learn something new, we see things different ways depending on what is going on in our lives. Sometimes we need consolation, sometimes motivation to act more generously, or to ask forgiveness for unchristian behavior. I'm always surprised when I read a passage that I have probably read or heard many times before, and really see it for the first time. Each time, the Spirit draws me to new insights. May the Spirit of truth continue to guide us.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for sending your Spirit to the apostles and to us. May we continue to pray for the wisdom and knowledge the Spirit brings to us. 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...
