Morning Prayer
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Inspiration
Without faith it is impossible to please God, but through faith we obtain all the promises of God that we have hoped for. Faith believes without seeing, and is itself (if true saving faith) an evidence of God's working in us. This opening line of the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11 gives us a taste of the mystery and the power of the faith of the saints of God.
Prayer
O giver of faith, to you do we turn when we are in need of more faith. Grow that mustard-seed-sized faith into a full-grown, fruit-bearing, mature tree of faith. Let us exercise faith as did these examples of great faith in Hebrews 11. May we live by faith, walk by faith, and win the victory over sin, the Devil, the world, all trials, all temptations, and all roadblocks to our spiritual growth, by faith. 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...
