onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 6^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;

Leviticus 26:1-20; 1^st Timothy 2:1 to 6; Matthew 13:18 to 23:

“This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1^st Timothy 2:3-4)

I know that I am not perfect. I have many flaws and imperfections. However, I am so thankful that we have a loving and merciful God and Savior in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of everyone being saved, and everyone coming to the knowledge of truth. I think the key word here is “everyone.”

The word needs to get out to “everyone” that God desires all people to be saved. Contrary to our normal fear of scarcity, heaven does not run out of room. Perhaps the biggest problem we might have is sharing total freedom and glory with our neighbors, all neighbors. The only thing hindering us from that glory are the false narratives we follow. However, once we understand ourselves, and God’s love for us, knowledge and truth will assure our place in God’s divine plan.

The Word needs to get out that God desires everyone to come to the knowledge of truth. Like most of us, I was raised with certain prejudices and biases that caused me to not see the inclusive love of God. As a Christian, and with some good Christian education, I have come to, and am still coming to, the understanding that God, as seen in Christ Jesus, came among us to both know about us and experience what it means to be human firsthand.

Being saved, and coming to the knowledge of truth, is the message our Lord Jesus gave to Paul for Timothy, and for us. This message is for all of us who can hear it. But I think more especially for Christians as we have that calling to model, as our Lord Jesus did, love for all people regardless of who they are, or what they think they believe or don’t believe.  There is more than enough room and comfort for all in the next life. Therefore, we should be holding dear to us in prayer everyone, from the president to the homeless; people of other countries (friend or foe); and people we have been taught not to trust.  All are invited by God to be with God.  We Christians are God’s helpers for all humanity, not judges..

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 God of limitless hospitality, who invites all people to come to Your ultimate truth, be present with each of us on our journey to You, that we might do what is pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 6^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;

Leviticus 25:35 to 55; Colossians 1:9 to 14; Matthew 13:1 to 16:

“He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.  The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.”  With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
“You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.”  (Matthew 13: 11 – 14

I think that the part that says, “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive,” is that sometimes we are so hard-hearted and set in our own fixations that we literally block out the truth. If we already think we know what the speaker is saying before he or she finishes what they are saying, our hearts are hardened and we don’t get it.  In such a case, “even what we do have will be taken away.” Listening is an underdeveloped art.

Only when we let go of any and all our preconceived ideas (including the idea of race), can we fully see what our Lord Jesus is doing.  Only when we truly and objectively listen to another person will we discern what is in their heart.  If there has to be a bias, make it of love. I once preached a homily wherein I challenged my listeners to draw a heart with ears.  A few did and the hearts with ears on either side looked pretty good.  I challenge you to do the same.  Regardless of your drawing skills, draw a simple valentine heart and then draw a pair of simple human ears on each side of it.  This represents listening with your heart.

We should listen optimistically as well as lovingly. In this way, even if we don’t understand the message of a parable, we will continue to delve deeper until we get it. If we seek, we will find. To their credit the disciples of Jesus stuck with him and followed him and pressed him until they got the parables unraveled, albeit after the Resurrection.  Maybe their determination for the truth was what they all had in common. Are you determined to be a disciple of Jesus?  If so, listen with the ears of your heart and seek the Truth.

Today we remember Johnn Arndt and Jakob Bohme, Mystics, (1621 and 162) and their information may be found at: Johann Arndt & Jakob Böhme

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 Lord God of endless love, help us we pray to open our ears with love and patience in order that we might truly hear and better understand Your messages of love for all people through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the 6^th Sunday of Easter: Year A

John 14:15-21

“This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” (John 14:17)

Later in the Gospel of John, Pontius Pilot asked Jesus, “What is Truth.” To this, Rowan Williams (Former Arch Bishop of Canterbury), remarked that this was the most profound question in the whole of the New Testament. This former Archbishop of Canterbury, a very learned and respected theologian, lifts this question up from the lips of a Roman governor as the most profound question of the New Testament.  The truth is so powerful and yet our Lord Jesus proclaims that the truth is part of who he is. He says of himself, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

Jesus promised us the Spirit of Truth. But Jesus also says that sometimes we are not able to hear the truth, that the truth is more than we can bear.  This reminds me of Jack Nicholson in the movie, “A Few Good Men” where he protests, “You can’t handle the truth.”  The Church too has had difficulty handling the truth.

Early in the history the Church we supported the idea that the earth was flat. A little later, the church refused to believe that the earth was not the center of the universe, and we also refused to believe that the earth revolved around the sun.  The Church accepted the notion that the sun was the little light that rose in the East and sat in the West as God had appointed it. Early astronomers, who taught differently, were condemned by the Church as heretics. It was hard for the Church to believe the truth that we were not the center of the universe.

What truths are we faced with now that we are not ready for, or, “can’t handle?”  Do you believe in God the Father?; Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?; Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?  These are truths that we Christians hold dear to our hearts. It is good to know that if we don’t believe in these doctrines today, our Church will not persecute us.

Within our Baptismal Covenant are also the words that tell of Jesus being born of Mary. Mary is the woman hand-picked by God to give birth to, and raise, our Lord Jesus. Today is Mother’s Day! All mothers, regardless of faith, are gifted by God to get human life started and then nurtured.  Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there.

We believe in our Lord Jesus because he abides with us.  And we know the truth about him because he is in us. Jesus also says that he has more to tell us but we aren’t ready yet, (We  still can’t handle the truth). This is 2026.  Perhaps we ought to be getting ready for a major shift in human existence. We need to prepare ourselves for, not only a new normal, but also, to receive more truth.

Jesus says it is the Spirit of Truth that we will receive, and that we know him because he abides in us, and we in Him.

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

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

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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

Morning, Psalms 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;

Leviticus 23:23 to 44; 2^nd Thessalonians 3:1 to 18; Matthew 7:13 to 21:

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easythat leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  (Matthew 7:13- 14)

I often remind my congregation that Christianity is not for the faint of heart.  It’s hard work, a narrow gate, if you will.  If you have ever been in line to get through a narrow door, or even in heavy traffic where one lane is closed and drivers must merge or “zipper” into a single lane, you have some idea about the need for patience.  Also, the road is difficult.  Christians must undergo some uncomfortable experiences and often stand with those who are overwhelmed.

Our Congregation as been downsized due to COVID 19.  Many Christians of “Mega” churches have also been downsized.  However, in the beginning of the Jesus Movement, we assembled in the homes of believers (in secret).  We were small groups around a table. Those who brought the Word, themselves worked jobs only to show that they were not trying to profit from the Gospel, rather, they were prophets of the Gospel.

In our 2^nd Thessalonians reading for today, we read, “For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,  and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.  For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.”  (2 Thessalonians 3: 7 – 10)

I am one of those clergy who believes that I should have a regular job as I study and prepare to preach the Gospel.  Not a lot of Clergy agree with me, and that’s fine.  In my way of understanding the clergy role. it should be the bishop whose sole focus should be his or her diocese. The argument will be raised, “Who wants to go to three years of seminary only to work as a part-time priest?”  Our  Gospel reading says, “For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” As I look back now I regret not having worked a secular vocation when I was a rector. Yet, I still live and learn. I am still a work in progress. Thank You Jesus.

Today we remember Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop and Theologian (May 9, 389) and his information may be found at: Gregory of Nazianzus.

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, You guide us through rough times and narrow gates but You never abandon us. Fortify us with Your Spirit in order that we are better enabled to overcome human created norms, and do what is sometimes difficult, but pleasing in Your sight, Amen.

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.