Devotion
Salvation for All
Frances Taylor
We tend to think of Paul always on the move, but here we see that Paul is staying in Rome for two years teaching and preaching to all who come to him. At this time, the Jews were still unconvinced that salvation was for any group other than themselves. Even those who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah weren't sure about the Gentiles. It was Paul's task in Rome to convince then that God wanted all to be saved. We can be just as hard to convince that salvation is for everyone. In some cities, men and women go out to bars or to the streets to bring the message of the kingdom to the people there. Some people are offended by this type of outreach. But where do they think Jesus went when he was on earth? Of course, he preached in the synagogues and taught in the temple, but he also connected with the outcasts, the sinners, the tax collectors. The leaders of the time, the Pharisees, were always complaining about the people Jesus associated himself with. We, too, can become self-righteous and attempt to limit those who would go into today's highways and byways. One of the most powerful ministries is that to prisoners, especially those who are in for life. Perhaps our objection is the fact that they just might accept Jesus and desire to learn more about him and his promises. Maybe, we don't want them to be forgiven.
Prayer
Lord, we ask you to free us from judging your children. We forget that you don't want to lose any of your children and we are not to get in your way. 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...
