Devotion
You Are The Light of the World
Frances Taylor
How can we be salt and light in today's world? Jesus tells us in the last part of this passage; let people see your good works. Of course this presumes that we are doing good works and that we are not doing them to look good, but to glorify God. Everyone can recognize a hypocrite. We can tell when someone is showing off. We also can recognize people who do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Not only are we supposed to be the light of the world but to point out to others the lights in our world. So often the people we hear about are those doing the wrong thing. How often do we hear about the true heroes in the news, the people who go about their business quietly volunteering in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, after-school programs, and in so many small ways that make a big difference in people's lives. These are the ones who are lighting up our communities, salting our world, making a difference. This is supposed to be us. It is our job to go into our neighborhoods, our communities and make a difference by bringing our Christian values into the workplace, our families and in whatever situations we find ourselves in. These values determine the way we do our jobs, the way we raise our children and love our spouses, the way we vote and every other aspect of our lives. We are called to make a difference.
Prayer
Lord, you have given us a challenge. Help us to be the salt and light you expect us to be. 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...
