onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74;

Leviticus 19: 26 to 37;  2^nd Thessalonians 1:1 to 12; Matthew 6:25 to 34:

“And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)

I am a champion worrier.  And I realize that the worrying itself (in most cases), does more harm to my wellbeing than the issue I am worrying about. I think worrying is somehow related to fear. They must be cousins if not parent and child, fear then, giving birth to worry, or the other way roud.  I heard in a movie once that basically fear is a deep concern about some event that has not happened yet, and may not happen at all. And yet here we are, ready to give up, or worse yet, do something regrettable because of it.

Our Lord Jesus makes the point that worrying really can’t help us, only hurt us.  Our Lord Jesus tells us regarding things we worry about that, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 32 – 33)

I also ponder about the next verse and how God’s time might apply here.  Our Lord Jesus says, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today, (Matthew 6:34).  So, I fear that I worry too much still. But I’m still a work in progress.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Almighty God, You know what we need before we do, and well before we began to worry about what badness could happen to us. Create and sustain a path in us to Your calmness whereby we might settle ourselves down and be more at peace when we get anxious. Please God, in Your most holy Name. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73 to 96;

Leviticus 19:1 to18; 1^st Thessalonians 5:12 to 28; Matthew 6:19 to 24:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6:21)

I think of this verse, in reverse. I think that I first consider what my heart desires and then realize that my heart’s desire is my treasure. Treasure is often thought of as money. We can’t eat money. Money is our community currency that has a long shelf life – longer than wheat, or live stock, or anything we could use to trade with. Money, therefore, is a tool for trade and commerce, nothing more.

Knowing myself the way I do, I think my heart’s desire is peace. I always cringe at the onset of any kind of hostility. I loathe domestic violence, bullying, and all hate initiated behavior.  Therefore peace is my treasure.

I think for me, strongly connected with peace is eternal life, which I believe is ultimate peace. I hope, pray and trust that joining Christ in paradise will be the eternal place of peace where there will be no more crying, forever. This then is my ultimate treasure. And it is my heart’s desire.

Today we remember George of Lydda, Soldier and Martyr (c. 304)) and his information may be found at: St. George.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:                                                                       

Dear Lord God, Creator of love and harmony, create in each of us loving desires as our treasures that in seeking such treasures, we will think, say, and do those things pleasing in your sight. Make each of us instruments of your peace, now and forever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening,  Psalm 68:

 Leviticus 16:20-34; 1^st Thessalonians 5:1 to 11; Matthew 6:7 to 15:

“For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1st Thessalonians 5:7 – 9)

I like thinking of myself mostly as a day creature.  I rise before the sun comes up and go to bed shortly after it sets.  However, as I take a distant look of our solar system through space cameras or art, I realize that during the day the earth is facing inward toward the sun. But at night, our view is toward the universe, that vast expanse of interstellar space.  Hey, I’m “pondering” here, ok?  Our nighttime view is one of taking in the stars and planets, the universe that God created. I have become familiar with the “Big Dipper” and “Orion’s Belt,” the occasional visitation of Venus and Mars and other planets and constellations as they make their journeys in their God-given paths

So, for me, night is more than just a time for sleep, it is also a time of wonder. As a Christian, I agree with Bishop Kallistos Ware who says, “It is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.”

We do not see evil in the night sky, only the good rotations and movements throughout the year as they make their way on their God-given paths. God has destined them for such. And God has also destined us for the same goodness through our Lord Jesus.  “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1st Thessalonians 5:9). Therefore, in pondering reflection, I think we are both day and night creatures.  We are on our own God-given path to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us come together then and stop evil from happening. We need to stop the evil some people do and stop world violence and just be good as God has made us to be.

Today we remember the Martyrs of the Reformation Era, and this information may be found at Martyrs of the Reformation Era. This was a horrible time in Christianity. How could we do violence in Jesus’ Name?

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:                                                                                      

Most Holy Lord God, the Grand Designer of all creation, we pray You guide us as you guide the stars above. Help us to remove or avoid any, and all thoughts of evil towards our brothers and sisters. Help us also to see You clearly in each other now in our present days, and to ponder about You in our nights. We ask this of You, the Source of all goodness: Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the 5^th Week of Easter: Year A

John 14:1-14:

“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”  (John 14:2 – 3)

There are few things that can compare with a well thought-out plan. One of the lessons I am still learning is to have a place for things before I get them. It is really upsetting to order and have delivered a new gym apparatus and no where to put it in an already crowded garage.   I’ve gotten to the point that when I am asked to move something for someone, I ask where do you want me to move it to?  If there is something already occupying that space, then the question becomes, where does that item then go? and on and on.

For our eternal home, this work has already been done by our Lord Jesus. Jesus says he has gone to prepare a place for us. This “preparing” that Jesus speaks of, may even be to “create” a space for us. The good news is that there is a space, a dwelling place for us. You have heard that there should be a place for everything, and everything in its place, right?  We are co-creating a space in our eternal home right now as we go about believing in, and following our Lord Jesus.

In what I used to call my mancave were many photos, plaques, and memorabilia I have collected over the years. It’s not much, it’s just me. Jesus is decorating a room for you with the good works you have done, and hopefully, will do, as you await his call to your eternal home. So how about you my friends?  What personal souvenirs or memorabilia is our Lord Jesus preparing your space with? The good news is, if you are hearing these words now, you still have time to forward some good works or fruits of the spirit forward to our Lord Jesus as he prepares your space. For as he says, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” Let me be clear, this is not “works righteousness,” but rather, “living the dream.”

Jesus tells us to believe in God and to believe also in Him. As Christians we share the same good God who is the same God of other faith traditions. To this understanding we also recognize God walking with us in the person of Jesus, our Savior. All other traditions will admit that God can, and is able to do such a thing, we Christians however, proclaim that God has already done so.  We believe in God, we also believe in our Lord Jesus.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: Fifth Sunday of Easter (BCP p.225)

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 4^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning,  Psalm 40 and 54; Evening, Psalm 51;

Exodus 34:18 to 35;  1^st  Thessalonians 3:1 to 13; Matthew 5:27 to 37:

“Great things are they that you have done, O Lord my God! how great your wonders and your plans for us! there is none who can be compared with you.” (Psalm 40:5)

Psalm 40 is wonderful. While it does have some verses that try to move God to deal with problem people, most of it is giving thanks to God for God’s wonderful care of us.

I have been in tight spots where I didn’t see a good outcome. I don’t know if I consciously prayed during such times, but deep within me I was aware of the presence of God. While actively praying or not, God is aware of our situations, and the situations of our communities. “Great are God’s wonders and God’s plans for us.” We must always trust in the Lord and remember to be so thankful when God has acted. God is good, all the time.

Today we remember Philip and James, Apostles (May 1: NT), and their information may be found at Philip and James, Apostles

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Oh, All mighty God, giver of all good gifts and graces, You know our needs before we ask and provide them for us when we need them. Your plans for us exceed anything we could ask or imagine. Dear Lord God, help each of us to be better participants in Your plan for humanity and this planet our island home. Teach us to be coworkers with You in Your divine plan as it pleases You. In Your most gracious Name we pray: Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 4^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 50;  Evening, Psalm  60;

Exodus 34:1 to 17; 1^st Thessalonians 2:13 to 20; Matthew 5:21to 26:

“We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.”  (1 Thessalonians 2:3)

We are the vessels of the Word of God! God speaks of love.  This means we, as we carry out the Word of God, we present love in word and deed to all whom we encounter.  We are the cup of Christ.  This is the Baptism that brought us into the Christian faith. 

Please remember and fully accept that, “In the beginning was the Word,” (John 1:1). The Word came to us for hearing and believing. Many times I have said that we are people of stories. God is in your story no matter who you are.  You are God’s own.  Therefore, God’s Self is in you. I give thanks for you knowing and believing that you are continuing the Word of God by telling your own truths about how God has acted, and is acting, in your life.  Thank You Jesus.

Today we remember Sarah Josepha Buel Hale, Editor and Prophetic Witness, 1879, and her information may be found at Sara Hale.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:                                                           

Almighty God, Who gifts us with faith that we might believe in our Creator; help us, we pray, to joyfully receive Your Word inside our hearts and souls, and then help us further to live out our lives, fortified by Your Word, in order that we will think, say, and  do those things which are pleasing in Your sight. This we ask in the Name of the Incarnate Word, our Lord Jesus; Amen

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 4^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:49-72; Evening, Psalm 49;

Exodus 33:1 to 23 ; 1^st Thessalonians  2:1 to 12;  Matthew 5:17 to 20:

“For the Lord had said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, and I will decide what to do to you.” (Exodus 33:5)

I guess “stiff-necked” is a good way to describe our arrogance toward people who differ from us or our ungratefulness towards God, forgetting all that God has done, and is doing, for us..  Moreover, God lets them (and us) know that the pureness, goodness and immediate presence of God would be detrimental to our physical, and spiritual, well-being if we are not on a path to God’s purity.

This reminds me of a Russian priest (I forget his name), who said that when we die, our soul gravitates towards God. And as our souls get close to the Divine, whatever it has about us that is not good and loving begins to disintegrate. This could happen to the point that there is nothing of us left. This journey of our soul could be our destruction, in whole or in part, depending on what we can rid ourselves of now while we still have time. This may even explain the innocence of babies and young ones who make it to God. They haven’t had time to be corrupted yet.

So, my beloved in the Lord, we, like the Israelites in the wilderness, are on a journey.  Whatever it is that makes our necks stiff, let’s rid ourselves of it now so that when our souls are on their journey home, only a little of us (if any) will be lost on the Way. And we didn’t need that part of us anyway.

Today we remember Catherine of Siena, and her information may be found at Catherine of Siena.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Dear Holy God, as you are pure love, for us to be near you could shake us back to nothing and destroy us. Purify us Lord as You are pure. Continue making us a holy people as You are holy. Please help us in our daily lives to cleanse ourselves of all that is unsightly to You, You who loved us into being. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 4^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;

Exodus 32:21 to 34;  Thessalonians 1:1 to 10;  Matthew 5:11 to16:

“They said to me, “Make us gods, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”  (Exodus 32:23)

There are so many problems going on in the theology of this reading that we should be made aware of.  First, Aaron is weak.  He is intimidated by a vicious mob. Second, Aaron tries to convince Moses of the “sensibility” of his weakness.  Third, we can’t “make” gods.  The very nature of a god is that such a one is well beyond our existence.  Of course, it is possible to make representative images of what we believe such gods to look like. But our God has a strict Commandment against that. Here’s a hint; if we can make it, it cannot really be a god, especially not our God.  We ourselves were created by God our Parent. Lastly, if we do not know what happened to someone, we should always assume they are still alive until otherwise shown. They should never have given up on Moses.

Now for me, there is sadness in this reading because it tells of mass murder from Moses and the Levites.  I leave it to you to think what you will about that. The point here is that there is only one God, and God is not made with our hands or anything of us.  God always was and always will be.  And this is true before we existed and will be true long after we exist no more. God does not need us to be God.

While we are ordered not to make anything to resemble God, we can, and should, use the earth provided materials of art to help, and aid us in the worship of God. In fact in Chapter 35 of Exodus God begins to give Moses specific instructions about how to craft a worship space and worship items. Today, using our God-given skills, we have continued in making items that assist us in our worship of God.  Today we have stained glass windows, paintings and icons, music, candles and incense, our Book of Common Prayer and the Bible itself, which are not items to worship, but rather, to assist us in our worship of God.

Without doubt, prayer is the most powerful source for worship. Prayer is something that all humans can produce even if a person has no hands or discerned gifts of art.  To just sit quietly and opening one’s self to God is the greatest worship practice anyone can do. Aaron could have used this advice to strengthen him against the insistence of the people to make a calf.  We too must be diligent in prayer.  There are always anxieties around from some kind of fear that tries to move our loyalty from God to something human made.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Oh Holy and Creating Spirit of God, who gifts us with faith and reverence for Your loving creation, be with each of us in our prayers in order that we will find the strength to remain steadfastly loyal to You, Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.