onewhoponders

Eucharist Gospel Reading for the Forth Sunday of Lent: Year A

John 9:1 to 41:

“But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” (John 9:10 – 11)

Each line above in our Gospel reading can be the basis of a homily. The man called Jesus, (through whom all things were made) made mud, put it on my eyes (used God’s earth to cure those made of God’s earth) and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash (which is like Go, and be baptized), he was given a responsibility to co-create with God. He said further, “I washed and received my sight,” sight he never had before, ever!  And because of our Lord Jesus, we too now see as we have never seen before.

Often those who refuse to see and understand what they witness right before them, are hard-hearted in their stubbornness.  You and I can’t fix hard-hearted stubbornness. Many people of our modern world will not let themselves have real sight today.  They want you to hear their story over and over again and do not want to open their eyes to see yours, remaining blind to your reality. We can’t fix them. We can only acknowledge what God in Christ Jesus is doing.

The man said, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.”

In a way, I was born blind. I was taught from my childhood to see the world in a certain way, through race, upper and lower class people, and all without regular church attendance, (that in my neighborhood might not have changed anything). I was blind as far as what God was showing me, save my time at Catholic School. And believe it or not, Marine Corps Basic Training where we were told there was no black or white, we were all green.

Continuing with the Gospel, “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”  This man who was given his sight (for the first time) told them off.  But they rebutted with insecurity: “They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out;” (John 9:33 and 34). Frankly, I would rather be driven out than to stay among self-serving unbelievers.

The Incarnate Word through whom all things were made, made medicine, applied it to his eyes, ordered the man to go and rinse with water as in baptism, requiring his participation in healing. Our Lord Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Yes, there are many little homilies in this passage. All are very important lessons.  We too must believe, ask, accept, obey with our own participation, and receive joy.  Thank You 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: Fourth Sunday in Lent (BCP p.219)

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136;

Genesis 47:27 to 48:7; 1^st Corinthians 10:1 to 13; Mark 7:1 to 23:

So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, ‘Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?’ He said to them, ‘Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Mark 7: 5 and 6)

Many Christians talk a good talk but live a sad example of what it means to be a Christian. We are baptized into the service of others. Jesus himself said that he came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28)

It has been said that Saint Francis of Assisi is perhaps the most revered of all the saints but the least copied. He was about service to others. What it really means to be a Christian is right before us but our personal desires for our own wants feeds our hypocrisy and too many of us are reinterpreting what it means to be a Christian and what a Christian Church is all about.

Our Church should be places of organized service and teaching. And in the case of our Episcopal Church, our Church is our Diocese, led by our Bishop. Our Diocese is made up of many parishes which too many of us refer to as Churches (often me included). These parishes are houses of worship and learning for the greater good of the communities where they are. We are taught in our parishes to honor God both with our lips, and to keep our hearts close to God.

Our Church tradition must ensure that we follow what Jesus wants of us, and not just for the sake of the tradition that has always been. Our Church made a great transition when we moved to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and Holy Communion became an every Sunday tradition rather than a once or twice monthly tradition which was handed down to us. We are still a work in progress. We are striving to honor God both with our lips, and to keep our hearts close to 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 the Diocese(BCP p. 817)

O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishop Rob and our Bishop Elect Sarah and other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 42 and 43; Evening,  Psalms 85 and 86;

Genesis 46:1 to 7 and 28 to 34; 1^st Corinthians 9:1 to 15; Mark 6:30 to 46:

“You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37)

The crowd has been following our Lord Jesus until late in the day.  They were tired, and now hungry.  The disciples warned Jesus to send them home so that they could feed themselves.  Jesus said no, “You give them something to eat.”

True Christians take responsibility for what needs to be done. Our Lord Jesus has them to take stock of what they have, five loaves and two fish. Admittedly not enough without God getting involved, but Jesus takes it, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it. This is the same four-fold table action at Holy Communion. The Priest or Bishop takes the presented sacraments, blesses them, breaks the bread and pours the wine, and then distributes the Lord’s body and blood to the waiting people.

The lesson here is not to be concerned about what we don’t have, but to take stock of what we do have; and then to bless it to God, divide it up, and distribute it as we are able. With God, all things are possible. This action should be repeated at family meals as well.  Breakfast or supper should be first prepared, prayed over in thanksgiving to God, portioned out, and given to family members, all according to their needs from the eldest to the youngest with love.

Perhaps the most important lesson our Lord Jesus is teaching us, is that we should not push our problems aside. Hungry and tired people needing sustenance is probably as serious as it gets. We have hungry people all around us today. And even if someone gives them a meal, it is rarely “blessed by the giver.”  So, when we provide the hungry with a meal, bless it for them.  I believe blessed food makes the body healthier. The hungry are not the problem of somebody else, Our Lord Jesus says to us; “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37)

Today we remember Gregory the Great, Bishop and Doctor (March 12, 604)),  and his information may be found at:  Gregory 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:

Dear Lord God, Almighty, as you have blessed us, so like Abraham, let us also be a blessing. Remind us dear God, to not only bless what we are about to share, but to also bless those who are unaware of the power of blessing. Help us daily dear God to be mindful of what we have no matter how little it might be, and that all things come from you, and to you we give back through giving to others. In Christ Name we pray: Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:97 to 120; Evening,  Psalms 81and 82;  

Genesis 45:16 to 28; 1^st  Corinthians 8:1 to 13; Mark 6:13 to 29: 

“But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak.” (1^st Corinthians 8:9)

Paul here is talking about not eating food dedicated to idols. But we can all look deeper into our own lives as thinking Christians. Reason is one of the three legs of the three-legged stool that 17^th century priest Richard Hooker used as a metaphor for us to think about in terms of our Church; Scripture, Tradition and Reason being the three legs.  They all carry almost the same and equal guidance in our Church tradition as taught in our Anglican/Episcopal faith. We have the Holy Scriptures, our Church liturgy and leadership, and we each have our God-given sense of morality and right behavior given to us by God in Christ Jesus.

Personally, I like to have a beer every now and then.  But I will not stop at a store and purchase beer while wearing clericals (clergy shirt with tab or collar).  North Carolina, being part of the Southern “Bible belt” where beliefs are pretty fundamental, right or wrong, I don’t want people to think ill of me, or of my Church.  If the people in my community saw me purchasing beer, dressed as clergy they might think me to be a hypocrite.

Are there any practices or enjoyments that you have that could become a stumbling-block to the weak? The field of misleading activities are wide ranging; the movies we enjoy, the books we read, the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the company we keep, and on and on. I think we will be okay in our individual ways if we use moderation and discretion, but we must use caution with regard to what we reveal about ourselves, in person, and especially on social media platforms. “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak.” (1^st Corinthians 8:9)

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, who set us an example of how to conduct ourselves in Jesus Christ, help us to live in community with moderation and discipline. Keep us ever mindful that we are always teaching in our everyday activities even when we think no one is watching. Lead us and guide us O Lord to do those things that are pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent: Year 2

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

Genesis 45:1 to 15; 1^st Corinthians 7:32 to 40; Mark 6:1 to 13:

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him.” (Mark 6:3)

Just because we know someone and their family, and our opinion of them is not very favorable to us, does not mean that God is not making good use of them for a better life in the community in which that person lives. But in this case, we’re talking about God Incarnate. His community thought they knew everything about Jesus solely because they knew his earth family and had already decided that he was not Godly.  They were so wrong.  Besides that, God is able to use anybody to do God’s work, which includes you.

When we judge someone as unusable by God, we are not judging them, we are judging and limiting the power of God.  God can use any human, (and in some cases our pets or even animals in nature, or a burning bush) to affect our path or direction in life.  Every one of us must be open, and remain open to God’s desire to use us for the good of the community in which we live, or quite possibly, for a distant community we have yet to be a member of.

Today we remember Harriet Ross Tubman, Social Reformer (1913),  and her information may be found at:  Harriet Ross Tubman

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 of all Goodness and love, assist us in our desire to be instruments of your plan to bring peace and harmony among all people, those we know, and especially those who have yet to know you. Help us to show those who think they know us how you have improved our lives for the better, and that that same improvement is here for them as well. We ask this in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who told us to ask in His Name. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the Third Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;

Genesis 44:18 to 34; 1^st Corinthians 7:25 to 31; Mark 5:21 to 43:

“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years.” (Mark 5: 25)

Jesus was on his way to heal a child when this hemorrhaging woman acted from her faith and touched the clothing of Jesus and was healed. So, our Lord Jesus, while on his way to do a good work, did an additional good work.  In the Cursillo movement this kind of action is often referred to as an “unexpected opportunity.”

Opportunities to do unexpected good works abound.  Our Lord Jesus models for us that there will be people in need all around us.  We may not know them, but they need us. They come to us from their faith, trusting in God to work through us for what they need. These are unexpected opportunities. Had not our Lord Jesus been going to do a good work already, the woman in need may not have ever crossed his path.  The same is true for us today.  As we go about our busy days to do good, God will put people in our path who need us. From that point on, God is watching us, to see how we might respond. Remember, it is their faith in God working through you that works in, and for, them.

Today we remember Gregory of Nyssa, (March 9, 395) and his information may be found at:  Gregory of Nyssa

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 Saturday of the 2^nd Week in Lent: Year 2

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

Genesis 43:16 to 34; 1^st Corinthians 7:10 to 24; Mark 5:1 to 20:

“O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the Lord.”

Waiting for the Lord is not easy. When we realize that God is never concerned about time because God is outside of time. We, on the other hand, have a beginning and an end. And we are nervous about how we are going to do this or that, before it’s too late.

I think Moses at the edge of the Red Sea with the freed Israelites (Exodus 14), is the story I think about most often. In that Exodus situation, God comes to Moses and works with him to both get the Israelites across the sea as well as destroying Pharoh’s army. God wins all the time, but when?

I try to maintain my connection with God through prayer and meditation. I need to be more like Moses and remind those with me who are also waiting, to “Wait patiently for the Lord.”  God, who created time, can stop time, or speed up our movement to meet what ever we need. God’s Will, will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

Today we remember Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs at Carthage (March 202) and their information may be found at:  Perpetua & Her 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: 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.