onewhoponders

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 20:Year A

Matthew 20:1-16

“Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?” (Matthew 20: 14 and 15)

What puzzles me is, who were the early workers angry with, the landowner, or the late workers?  The landowner was correct in that it was his prerogative with what he would do with what is his. He kept his word with regard to the “daily wage.”  The daily wage was needed to pay the bills.

This is an old story about paying the last laborers the same as the first.  Perhaps the owner of the vineyard, (a stand-in for God in this metaphor by Jesus), is looking past the working men themselves.  Maybe the landowner is looking at the mothers and children whom the workingmen represent.  These mothers and children require the same rents and food as the families of the men who were hired early on.  Should mothers and children do without food and a roof over their heads only because the breadwinner couldn’t find work?  The Landowner found a way to care for poor families, and at the same time, give dignity to the men responsible for them. They still had to do something.

When we look at those who didn’t do as much as we did, nor for as long as we did, we tend to feel like they didn’t “earn” their reward. As if to think, we did. God wants more from some of us than God expects from others. God knows what we are capable of. Fairness has nothing to do with it. Some don’t have it to give, be it time or talents.

This was probably written to explain the Christian Church assuming the responsibility of teaching and preaching the Good News Gospel after some self-serving Hebrew leadership hit a dead end. Personally, I don’t believe all Hebrews hit a dead end. But God needed to keep the promise alive. God needs to keep the promise to Abram alive. God needs our Church to carry on.

Should the mothers and children of the men who weren’t hired early, suffer?  “Because no one has hired us;” (Matthew 20:7).  Again, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  (James 1: 27)

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: Proper 20 The Sunday closest to September 21 (BCP p. 234)

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to
love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among
things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall
endure; 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 Proper 19; Year 2

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

Esther 2:5 to 8 and 15-23 or Judith 5:1 to 21; Acts 17:16 to 34; and  John 12:44 to 50

“The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.”  (Acts 17:24 and 25)

Paul explains to the people who believe in human created gods that there is only one real God, and the real God is unknown and not in need of human support or shelter. This means that if we humans did not exist, God is still God. God gives to us, not we to God.  Paul goes on to say “For In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).

Paul is speaking to an educated people. These are learned philosophers and people who strive to seek more knowledge. Paul also speaks about human ignorance. He says, “While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”  (Acts 17:30 and 31)

It is because of this Acts writing, and the understanding that the English word “believe” really has more to do with “trust,” that I crafted my own theological creed which is, “I Trust in the Creating Word through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word, in whom we live and move and love and have our being, and to whom we must give an account.” 

We have a wonderful Nicene Creed in our Book of Common Prayer.  And I believe in it.  However, I needed something short that I could both easily recall as a guide for myself, and share quickly with someone while on an elevator if asked what I believe.  I ask you to do the same.  Use my own if you want.  But if you believe in a Supreme Being, write down a simple sentence that articulates your belief. We have the gift of words. Use this gift to help guide your relationship with our unknown, but very loving God, and with our neighbors.

Today we remember Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury (September 19, 690) and his information may be found at: Theodore of Tarsus

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 19: Year 2

 Morning, Psalm 69;  Evening, Psalm 73:

Esther 1:1 to 4 and 10 to19; or Judith 4:1to 15; Acts 17:1 to15; and John 12:36b to 43:

“And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women,” (Acts 17:4)

The language of the Acts of the Apostles is very interesting.  Christians were first identified as Christians in Antioch as explained in chapter 11, verses 25 and 26.  But I notice that as we move through this chapter the followers are referred to as, “believers.”  I like it.  I like it because I think first of all, as observers of all that takes place in the world; each person must see that there is a Creating and Ordering hand at work in life and in the universe.  Once we acknowledge and “believe,” we can wrestle with what we want to believe about our Lord Jesus and his relationship to the Creator.  Believing is not limited to one sex.

As the people listened to Paul and Silas with an open mind the Spirit of God began to make sense to them, all of them, men and women.  Some of the women were people with power and it helped Paul and Silas to continue with the work of spreading the word.

The fact that women were included is mentioned again.  Luke writes in Acts that, “Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men,” (Acts 17:12).  These new believers were men and women with equal standing in this new form of Judaism, or the Way.  I say Judaism only because Paul and Silas were Jews who branched off from their traditionally male dominated theology, to be open to where the Spirit of our Lord Jesus was leading them, and the new believers, all the believers who followed them.

This leadership is still at work today.  When we take the time to ponder about the love of God and how God came among us as our Lord Jesus. We too, men and women, are still empowered by that same Holy Spirit to continue the work of spreading the word.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Edward Bouverie Pusey (September 18, 1882) and his information may be found at: Edward Bouverie Pusey

“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 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 Thursday of Proper 19: Year 2

 Morning, Psalm 71,  Evening, Psalm  74;      

Job 28:1 to 28; Acts 16:25 to 40; and John 12:27 to 36a

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25) 

Imagine, singing uplifting church hymns while being bound after just being whipped.  I have heard that this copping mechanism worked for prisoners of war also. It got them through the most difficult time in their lives, although some were murdered.

Then there was a divine earthquake that released the prisoners.  “When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  Then he brought them outside and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’  They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.  At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay.  He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.”  (Acts 16: 27 to 34.)

The jailer was well acquainted with the merciless system in which he lived and worked.  There would be no excuse for prisoners escaping. He moves from beating Paul and Silas with rods to using his own sword on himself.  Death would be better than the wrath he would face, not to mention the demise of his family and home. But Paul, freed from fetters, still feeling the sting of the rod while singing hymns, calls out to save the jailer from himself.  How powerful is this kind of love?  Who today would prevent our tormentor from harming himself given the chance?  Folks, this is Christian love, this is Agape love.  There is nothing else like it in all creation, and it’s ours for the asking.

Today we remember Hildegard of Bingen, visionary (September 17, 1179) and her information may be found at: Hildegard of Bingen.

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: BCP p. 824 (In times of conflict)

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 19: Year 2

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

Job 42:1to17; Acts 16:16 to 24; John 12:20 to 26:

“One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling.”  (Acts 16: 16)

There is so much in this Acts reading. First of all, did the slave girl recognize Paul and his partners as fellow slaves, even though she says they were slaves of the Lord almighty? (Perfect Freedom)

Second, I’m guessing Luke is the silent partner as he records the Acts and says, “While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, ‘These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation;” (Acts 16: 17).  She gave insight to those who did not know salvation, that is, a Way to eternal life, and a path to achieve it. This is “next life” stuff.

Third, “She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour;” (Acts 16: 18).  So, we are to understand that Paul, through the Name of Jesus, took away the slave girl’s “gift.”  She was devalued in the eyes of her master.  But she was freed in terms of her own autonomy.

Fourth, “But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market-place before the authorities (Acts 16: 19). Thus, it turns out that it was all about the money.  Perhaps not much has changed, even for us today.

It is awful the way we use money to misuse others.  It is equally awful the way we retaliate against those who hold us accountable for the dignity of others. “When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, ‘These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe.’ The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods;” (Acts 16: 20 to 22).  This was clearly an anti-Semitic attack on this group of Jewish believers in Jesus, and was only brought about because of the loss of money. 

The lesson for me in all of this is to remember to be decent to others always. We must not look for ways to bring hurt on those who hold us accountable.  We should not have needed it, but if we do, better to be held accountable in this life rather than the “next life.”  Paul removes the spirit that was at work in the girl but does not attempt to use his divine gift to resist or retaliate against his oppressors.  Decency towards others and discernment of the spirit are key here.  We all can do this.

Today we remember Ninian of Galloway, Bishop, Missionary to Scotland (September 16, 1510) and his information may be found at: Ninian of Galloway.

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 Collect for Peace (BCP p.99)

 O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 19: Year 2

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

Job 40:1 and41:1to 11; Acts 16:6 to 15; John 12:9 to 19:

 “They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.  When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.” (Acts 16: 6 and 7)

I often ask my blog followers to be attentive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  The idea is that the Spirit is moving us to go here or there, or to do this or that.  I ponder, from this passage in Acts, that sometimes the Spirit is telling us not to go here or there, or, not to do this or that.

Maybe such guidance is more important than the doing, or saying, or going, or anything that requires action or moving ahead. Maybe there is something to be said for being quiet and being still.  This message is about hearing the Holy Spirit say “stop.”  Do not move another step.  Do not say another word. 

Even sin comes packaged in commission and omission.  We ask for forgiveness for things done, and left undone.  So too, we must hear the Spirit say “this is what you should do, and, this is what you should not do.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit forbids us from certain courses of action. And, sometimes the Spirit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will not allow us to do certain things. My brothers and sisters in Christ, even the Ten Commandments are constructed with do’s and not do’s.  Some of them say what we shall do, the rest of them say what we shall not do. The point in all of this is that there are real occasions when we are guided by the Holy Spirit to not do a certain thing; to not go to a certain place, and to not say certain words. This is often expressed as a “gut” feeling, or a bad feeling. We must always heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Today we remember Catherine of Genoa, Mystic and Nurse (September 15, 1510) and her information may be found at: Catherine of Genoa.

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 Jesus, You did not leave us abandoned but sent your Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. Be in our prayers Lord Christ so that we really feel your presence in our doings and in our not doings. Give us today a real sense of your presence in our travels, and in our staying home, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper19: Year 2

 Morning, Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;

Job 40:1 to 24; Acts15:36 to 16:5; John 11:55 to 12:8:

“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)”  (John 12: 3 to 6)

This is what happens when we look at each other around Jesus instead of “through” Jesus.  Judas, who the evangelist informs us, is less than honorable and gazes upon Mary with contempt. This looking around Jesus is also reported in the Gospel of Luke. I think it was at the same time, with the same people, in the same room, but seeing from a different point of view.  “Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.  But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things.”  (Luke 10: 38 to 41)

My point in both of these passages is that Judas, in the first reading, and Martha in the second, move their eyes off of our Lord Jesus to look directly at Mary.  When we look around Jesus, instead of through Jesus, we see others through our human lens rather than through how God sees them.  If we take the time to see family, or the stranger through the eyes of our Lord, we would see them with love. If we look around Jesus instead of through him, we tend to see people with contempt, disdain, disrespect, and sometimes, if they are different than us, with hate. Let’s not see people in this way. Try to always look upon another through the eyes of our loving Lord.

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:

O Lord our God, you taught us through Jesus what it means to love unconditionally, and we struggle. Stay with us Most Holy Spirit and enable us to see one another through your divine and loving lens in order that we might see each other as the infants we were when we were born, and the people we were born to be, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 18: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalms 138 and 139:1to 17;

Job 38:1to17; Acts 15:22 to 35; and John 11:45 to 54

“We have decided unanimously to choose representatives and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.” (Acts 15: 25 to 27)

So, four disciples (Barnabas, Paul, Silas and Judas (also called Barsabbas) went to Antioch to give “word of mouth” testimony about how the believers should behave.  I am as concerned about  the method of delivery as I am about the content of the message.

There is something very meaningful about hearing the word directly from human lips that we can see as well as hear.  While I know that many hearing-challenged people rely on reading lips, I think we all do a little of the same as a way of affirming what we think we hear.  It is word of mouth. It is the ancient way of spreading the Gospel.  Remember that, in the beginning was the Word, not the book or the print.

Many times in the Bible we are directed to “Hear O Israel.”  Most notably these words appear in Deuteronomy 6:4. This directive entails the receiving and retelling of our dedication to God and it is done by word of mouth.  This instruction to hear is found throughout the Bible and is meant to be read aloud in the hearing of the people.  Letters, read out loud was the way our forbearers received the Gospel and the letters of Peter, Paul, John, James and the preacher to the Hebrews.  We are a word-of-mouth people.  This word of mouth is spoken through us, the saints of God. So, when the opportunity presents itself, and it will,  be a speaker of the Good News of the Gospel, that “We are all loved by God and there is always hope, no matter what.” First, listen to yourself say these words, and then deliver them to someone else by word of mouth.

Today we remember Florence Nightingale, Nurse, Re-newer of Society (August 12, 1910) and her information may be found at Florence Nightingale

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.