Devotion
Lord, Teach Us To Pray
Frances Taylor
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. We know the prayer, but was that the only thing Jesus was trying to teach them? Jesus is also teaching them how to pray, praise for God came first, the desire to God's will is next, then we can ask for what we need as well as asking forgiveness for the times we have not lived as God wants us to do. After asking for forgiveness, we ask God to help us avoid the sins we just confessed. The only thing missing in the prayer is that of thanksgiving, which Jesus has told us is important. Knowing prayers is important especially when we pray together as a community, but it is also important to know that Jesus didn't suggest that only formal prayers is enough. In fact he tells us not to babble on as the pagans do! When we listen to Jesus' prayer at the grave of Lazarus or in the garden, or when he offers a prayer of blessing, he is not using a formalized prayer but is speaking to God as his Father. He is inviting us to do the same by beginning what we call "The Lord's Prayer" by saying, "Our Father." May we follow the example of Jesus.
Prayer
Dear God, Father of us all, may we always come to you to praise and thank you, to ask for your forgiveness as well as for our needs and the needs of others knowing that you will listen to us, your children. 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...
