Devotional for Friday May 13, 2022
The main function of the Church is to evidence the work of God in its community life: its main task is to declare the excellence of God in its life and relationships. Its crucial identity lies in being something, not just doing something. The Church, as the people of God, is called to manifest a quality of life that reflects the glory of the one who created it by living as brothers and sisters in unity, embodying the life of Jesus in communion among members and their neighbors. As a temple of the Holy Spirit, it is a people called to seek the works of holiness and obedience in every sacred place where the name of God is known and glorified. As ambassadors of Christ, the church is called to represent the authority and kingdom of God in the world, as well as the just judgments of the kingdom through its work of freedom, integrity and justice; and as the army of God, it has the responsibility to fight as a soldier of God in the war of the Lamb, by proclaiming the truth of God in Christ, by working with the Word to destroy the work of the devil, by defeating evil with good.
Written by Suny Pérez,
Translated by Maria Elena Cardona
Morning 1 Peter 2:9-11
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Noon Psalm 30
1 I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
7 LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
8 I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Evening Acts 2:42-46
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Evening Prayer Guide: [Panamá-El Porvenir] and [E.U. Diócesis Norte-Warsaw]
This month's challenge is: Identify each character virtue of Christ and incorporate it into your own character. Spend more time with the people you love. Evaluate daily if your behavior resembles that of Jesus. Constantly ask yourself before making a decision or doing anything, what would Christ have done in my place? Study more deeply the life of Christ and ask God to help you be a better Christian.
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