Devotion
I Send Forth the Promises of My Father
Frances Taylor
Jesus asked the apostles to wait for the coming of the Spirit so that they would be clothed with the powers that they needed to complete their mission. Jesus knew what they would need just as he knows what we need. We are called to be disciples also, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit with our baptism. The powers that we need are right there for us. But like anything, we need to use them, the more we ask God to help us, the easier it gets. No one becomes a great athlete with putting in a lot of practice. I know I have heard the phrase "practice your faith" more than once. Do we think it's just a phrase or is it something we take seriously? The Holy Spirit, I think, is the forgotten person of the Trinity. We think about God as Father, as Creator, and we know the Son, Jesus, but how often do we think about the Holy Spirit? These next few days are the perfect time to reflect on the Spirit as we celebrate Pentecost. We know the gifts outlined in Scripture but do we take them seriously? Which gift do you need in your life right now? I think I am always looking for wisdom and understanding, but sometimes courage is first, especially when I don't want to do what I know I should do! Perhaps counsel is the most important thing if you have big decisions to make. I see little reverence in today's world, and we all could use a little fear of the Lord. And we can all use more knowledge. Let's take the time for a spiritual check-up and ask for we are lacking.
Prayer
Gracious God, help us to remember that you are always there ready to give us all that we need to come to you and spread your message to others. Thank you for all the gifts you have given us, and help us know what we need today. 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...
