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Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 26: Year 2

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

Ecclesiasticus 43:1to 22; Revelation 14:14to15:8; Luke 13:1to9

“It is the moon that marks the changing seasons, governing the times, their everlasting sign.  From the moon comes the sign for festal days, a light that wanes when it completes its course. The new moon, as its name suggests, renews itself; how marvelous it is in this change, a beacon to the hosts on high, shining in the vault of the heavens!” (Ecclesiasticus 43: 6 to 8)

As an Education for Ministry (EfM) mentor, I have learned to make use of metaphor to explain many life situations and our call as Christians.  This is a fine opportunity to do it now with the words from the writer of Ecclesiasticus.

The moon waxes and wanes.  It grows, from our earthly perspective, and then shrinks again. When the moon is directly between earth and the sun it is invisible.  We call this the New Moon. It is almost like it is born again.  It starts out small again and then fills in as the days advance.

We too, as we grow in Christ, we reflect the light of the “Son.” We also have a continual need to find a quiet place for solace and contemplation. We have no light of our own. We reflect the Light of our Lord Jesus. As the Church, we signal the changing seasons. Advent is approaching, then comes Christmas. Christmas is followed by the light of Epiphany which leads us into Lent. Then the Great Day and season of Easter! Then we’re back to Pentecost or Ordinary time. The Church, like the moon, has a huge responsibility. We must signal the changing of the seasons, the times, the festal days, the everlasting sign.  And we do this by “renewing” ourselves regularly. It’s important to remember to do self-care.  Those outside of us count on us. This earth needs the moon to keep it in balance in our solar system, just as all souls (our Church or not) needs our Church to provide the Light of the Son by which decency and morality prevails.

Today we remember Richard Hooker, Priest and Theologian (November 3, 1600) and his information may be found at: Richard Hooker.

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: For Joy in God’s Creation (BCP p. 814)

O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 26: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 56, 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65
Ecclesiasticus. 38:24 to 34; Revelation 14:1 to 13; Luke 12:49 to 59

“How different the one who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High!” (Ecclesiasticus 38:34)

I have a friend who really appreciates the life lessons she received from her former pastor. She said he would take his own money to post bail for one of his parishioners when he was arrested; he broke his own Church tradition and served real wine at their Holy Communions, and other such acts that taught her to live a faithful Christian life. He was a barber by trade.

Our Ecclesiasticus reading for today tells us that we cannot be both. The author says that we either devote ourselves to secular work or we devote ourselves totally to the work of spiritual healing and worship. The writer tells us that we can’t effectively do both. I disagree.

For one thing, the secular work we find ourselves in was either handed down to us as the family business or, it was evaluated for us in some kind of career test, or something we thought would be nice to do,  or such a craft pays well.  Real spiritual healing and Church worship are not career choices. Such Godly vocations are Callings.  Jesus Called fishermen to follow him.  He didn’t stop them from being fishermen, he qualified them to do the Lord’s work in addition to being fisherman. We still need both today.  I don’t believe we must forgo one in order to do the other.  We don’t qualify ourselves for the Lord’s work.  God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the Called.

There are many doctors and scientists today who are people of faith and some are also life changing Christian clergy. The point is, that many of us are like Saint Paul who was a tentmaker and who was also called to take the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles. You too may be such a saint who God is calling to do such work, the Lord’s work.

Today we remember All Faithful Departed, All Souls Day, (November 2) and information about this commemoration may be found at: All Faithful Departed (All Souls)

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: For the Right Use of God’s Gifts (BCP p. 827).

Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for All Saint’s Day

Matthew 5: 1 to 12

“Blessed are”

These are the words we have from the Gospel according to Matthew who presents the Beatitudes in Chapter 5.  There are 9 “Blessed Are’s” beginning with verse 3 of chapter 5. 

Today is All Saints Day.  Today we remember those who are lifted up from our midst and honored for their devotion and service to others in Jesus’ Name.  We have those who are famous like St Francis and Joan of Arc. And we have those not so famous on the world stage, like people in our own life where only a few of us knew of their good and honorable deeds.  This latter category of saints is normally recognized on November 2^nd as we commemorate the lives of the faithful departed or, All Souls Day. I am doing a combined service this Sunday to remember all Saints, famous and personal.

Something to notice from the famous saints are the challenges they were required to endure on their unintended climb to sainthood. The Beatitudes mentioned in Matthew speak to this.  Each and every “Blessed Are,” shows a challenge or some level of suffering before eternal joy comes.  The Saints also underwent challenges. Certainly St Francis and Joan of Arc did, as did all those we hold in high esteem.

As we look at those whom we want to recognize as saints we must ask ourselves if they too faced challenges and faced them with steadfast Christian courage.  In our later years we have Mother Teresa and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others.  I don’t think we have to depend on any one Church to determine for us who is a saint and who is not.  St Paul typically referred to all worshiping communities as saints of that city.  It is an inclusive term of endearment meant for those recognized as determined people of faith, no matter what. And so, let us recall the words (by Lesbia Scott) of the hymn “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” as found in our 1982 Hymnal where the words of the last verse are:

“They lived not only in ages past, there are hundreds of thousands still, the world is bright with the joyous saints who loved to do Jesus’ will.  You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea, for the saints of God are just folk like me and I mean to be one too.”

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: All Saints’ Day November 1 (BCP p. 245)

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalms 138 and 139:
Ecclesiasticus. 35:1to17; Revelation 13:11to18; Luke 12:32to48

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Luke 12: 34)

I really had to look at this passage closely. I have heard that if you really want to know what a person’s priorities are just look at their checkbook, or perhaps today, their receipts, as fewer people are writing actual checks today. The point is the same, what we really care about is revealed by where we put our money.

This means our money follows our heart’s desire rather than our hearts following our money. Money, all by itself, has no desire at all. Some of us may not have the money that will allow us to follow our heart’s desire.  That doesn’t mean we don’t have desires.  Of course we do.

I think the most important lesson here is that we can learn to love and desire what God wants us to desire, and that is, to do God’s will. Over the years I have outgrown some selfish desires in life.  I don’t care about fancy cars, or clothes anymore. Unfortunately, I had to experience some of these things to realize they aren’t that important. Blessed is the person who has never had these material things and never wanted them.

Real happiness for me now is seeing to it that others have the simple things in life, food, health care, housing, education, and a way to get around as they need to. My happiness in part, is based on the happiness of my neighbor. I believe this is the desire that God wants me to have.  So where is my treasure?

I give to my church and to charitable organizations. I join clubs and organizations who also share my desire to care for the poor and disenfranchised. I know my little treasure won’t bring an end to their plight but it makes me feel better and brings some joy to my heart, knowing that I helped with some relief for them.

Money is not meant to be worshiped but it will reveal the nature of our worship. We are to love God and love our neighbor. As far as I know, God does not need any money.  Some of our neighbors do. These are the neighbors we are asked by God to love. Loving our neighbor should be our heart’s desire.

Today we remember Paul Sinji and Philip Lendel Tsen Bishop of Tokyo, 1946 and Bishop of Honan, China1954: October 31 and their information may be found at: Paul Shinji Sasaki & Philip Lendel Tsen.

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: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 40 and 54; Evening, Psalm 51;
Ecclesiasticus 34:1to 8 and 18to22; Revelation 13:1to10; Luke 12:13-31:

“Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”  (Luke 12: 18 and 19)

This Gospel of Luke is not necessarily written against the rich.  Often the rich in this Gospel contribute to the poor.  But Luke’s Gospel does get to the heart and soul of where those with wealth may do their worst works.

In this reading for today the rich landowner never considers those less fortunate than himself; that he might follow the biblical mandate to not glean your field completely, thus leaving something for the needy.  He just figures out a way to keep more for himself.  He even talks to his soul, his direct connection to God.  Our souls just want us to gravitate towards the kingdom of God.

Jesus tells him (and us), “Do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.  For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well, (Luke 12: 29 to 31).  This reminds me of the hymn, “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.” It is a beautiful hymn from our “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Hymnal.

Jesus informs us that our Heavenly Father knows we need food and provisions in order to live healthy lives.  While we need these things they should not become idols that replace God in our lives.  As citizens of heaven, temporarily visiting earth, we should never forget whose we are.

Today we remember John Wyclif, Translator and Controversialist, October 30, 1384. and his information may be found at: John Wyclif.

“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: For the Right Use of God’s Gifts (BCP p. 827)

Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalm 33;
Ecclesiasticus 31:12to18 and 25to32:2; Revelation 12:7to17; Luke 11:53 to 12:12:

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.  But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4 to 7).

I ponder several points from this Gospel passage.  First, our bodies will yield its soul back to the Lord, sooner or later.  No one knows how much time on this earth they have.  But “on this earth” is not the end.  At our death, “life is changed, not ended.” (BCP 382).

I used to misinterpret this passage.  I used to think the writer was talking about a human taking the life of another human.  But I have come to understand this as fearing God, who after calling us back to the Creator then decides where we go from that point. God is the One to be feared, or at least respected in great reverence. We humans are a part of creation like the sparrows.  I do believe God prizes us as the flagship of creation and holds us up as special given that God came to dwell with us, as one of us.

Lastly, the language of God counting the hairs of our head is the best explanation that could be given to let the people of that day know that there is nothing about us that the Creator doesn’t know.  Today we would say God made every molecule of us and put together what we now call our DNA.  This language would not have made sense two thousand years ago.  It is God whom we must go to concerning our health. It is God who is the ultimate doctor as expressed through the healings of Jesus. But more importantly, it is God whom we must go to for our spiritual health.  It is in the spiritual domain that we will have eternal life. God is the ultimate Spiritualist as revealed in the Gospel of John 4: 24.

Today we remember James Hannington and his companions and his information may be found at: James Hannington & His Companions.

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:

All Mighty God, Creator and Sustainer and Lover of all souls, it is to You whom we must return. Please keep each of us ever-mindful of our inevitable presence with You where we will be subject to Your judgment, with mercy and love; help us therefore to live loving lives today; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:49-72; Evening, Psalm 49;
Ecclesiasticus 28:14to26; Revelation 12:1-6; Luke 11:37to52

“As you fence in your property with thorns, so make a door and a bolt for your mouth.  As you lock up your silver and gold, so make balances and scales for your words. Take care not to err with your tongue, and fall victim to one lying in wait.”  (Ecclesiasticus 28:24to 26)

This reading from Ecclesiasticus for today begins with the destruction that slander can cause.  Slander is a weapon of the tongue.  And as we can see, this passage ends back with the warning of the tongue, that is, the mouth and the hurtful words our mouths can produce.

There are other places in the Bible that caution us about the harm that the tongue can cause.  Most notable for Christians is the letter of James where he writes,  “For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.”  (James 3:7 to 9)                                                                 

How often we might say something we really don’t mean, or, say something in a heated moment from which we have moved on, and feel differently later. Sometimes it doesn’t have to be heated, it is just what we thought or believed at the time. I tell my listeners all the time that what they think or feel today, if we are open to evolve, we could move closer to the Truth as we spiritually mature. Therefore, we must respect where others are on their journeys and also realize we too could change as we learn. We should guard against what we might say, always. I use a personal mantra to help me remember not to speak too freely. I call it dust, and it stands for, “Don’t Unnecessarily Share Thoughts.” If I remember to use this word management tool it prevents me from saying something I may regret later. Feel free to use DUST for yourself.

Today we remember Simon and Jude, Apostles, New Testament (October 28) and their information may be found at: St. Simon and St. Jude.

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: A Prayer attributed to St. Francis: (BCP p. 833)
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48
Ecclesiasticus 24:1to12; Revelation 11:14to19; Luke 11:27to36

“While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” (Luke 11: 27 and 28)

This verse above sounds like content for praying the Rosary. “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.”  Also, in her words she advocates for the mother’s role in God’s salvation plan. However, as far as blessings go, Jesus points to those of us who hear, and more importantly, obey, the will of God.

Jesus was teaching and preaching to the crowds. And, “When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation,” (Luke 11: 29 and 30).  Could Jesus be using this old Hebrew story as an analogy about his salvation purpose for our life today?  Could our Lord Jesus be saying that just being able to quote a Bible chapter and verse is nothing if we don’t learn from it and live our lives according to its lesson?  I think so.

Jesus will go on to tell them (and us) that, “The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because while they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here for us today!” (Luke 11: 32)

Jesus walked among us as an example of how to live a loving life in harmony with one another. As I have noticed our Lord Jesus in his travels, other than teaching and preaching, he was healing and feeding.  God, in Christ Jesus, in his human form, was a nurturer. Nurturing is not just a role for mothers. It is not only pleasing to God for mothers and non-mothers to be considerate and compassionate, it is who God in Christ Jesus made us all to be, men and women, just like the example he himself set for us. In this way, we bless one another as we are blessed by God.

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: For Guidance (BCP p. 832)

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 41and 52; Evening, Psalm 44:
Ecclesiasticus 19:4to17; Revelation 11:1to14; Luke 11:14to26

“But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” (Luke 11:15)

Jesus was casting out demons and putting people back in their right minds.  And instead of being thankful, some in the crowds wanted to be critical of the source of Jesus’ ability. It can be disheartening when we struggle to do something good and then are accused of doing the good work for self-serving or self-glorification purposes. 

In our faith history, the scriptures, in particular Ezra, is recorded good works done by two kings of Persia who were not Hebrews but by the power of God, Cyrus and Darius, assisted the Hebrew people in the re-establishment of Jerusalem (Ezra, chapters 1 through 6). These kings gained nothing from these godly acts.  But both believed that God Almighty wanted them to do this good work. They did it not for themselves, but because it pleased God.

Our Lord Jesus also informs His critics to understand that God works in mysterious ways. He said to them about his casting out the demon, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 11:20).

God is all about good and holy works. God does good works through our faith. Let us not be confused about the real source of the good works that we do.  The finger of God is still at work in this world because the kingdom of God has come to us.

Today we remember Alfred The Great, King of the West Saxons (October 26, 899), and his information may be found at; Alfred the Great.

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: For All Sorts and Conditions of Men: (BCP p. 814).

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 25: Year A

Matthew 22:34-46

“He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  (Matthew 22: 37 to 40)

I will address this Gospel reading from the end to the first part.

Jesus invites the Pharisees to answer the question of Who the Messiah is. Specifically, whose son is he? Knowing that He is the Son of God, the Messiah, he pushes the Pharisees to see that the Messiah cannot be the son of a mortal. The Messiah is the Son of God, and God only.

We are children of God by adoption through the Messiah and the only way we can truly love one another is to first love our adopted Parent, God. Once we learn to love God, we are equipped to love one another. Such love is demonstrated by the way we relate to one another.

There was a traveler who asked an old Rabbi, “Sir, could you explain the whole of the Torah while standing on one foot?”  To which the Rabbi answered, “What you don’t like done to you, do not do to anyone else.”  Our Christian Golden Rule is the flip side of the same coin. “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you, for this sums up all of the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

In the Hebrew Testament there are six hundred and thirteen laws; many of which are outdated and not relevant in today’s societies.  And we Christians have adopted the Ten Commandments as part of our own code of conduct.  However, in today’s Eucharistic Gospel, we see where our Lord Jesus makes it easier for us with only two Commandments. 

It is indeed easier to remember only two Commandments.  Love God with all that you are and love your neighbor as yourself.  Loving God must come first.  Love God, and then we are better enabled to love others through the love we have for God. 

It is also very important that we love ourselves also. It does us no good to love others as we love ourselves if in fact, we don’t love ourselves. God loves us. Therefore, we too must love ourselves. God finds us worthy of God’s love. So, we cannot, not love ourselves. After this, we stretch out to our neighbors, and all souls on earth are our neighbors. While it sounds impossible, nothing is impossible through God.

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. Amen.

Let us pray: Proper 25; The Sunday closest to October 26.

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.