onewhoponders

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

Morning, Psalm 69: ; Evening, Psalm 73;

Genesis 24:1 to 27; Hebrews 12:3 to 11; John 7:1 to 13:

“For no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.”  (John 7:4)

I think they misunderstood our Lord Jesus.  This reading says that his brothers did not believe him yet.  Jesus stayed on the fringes of towns.  He was never looking for praise or popularity, but rather, he looked for what was the good work that needed to be done. He healed the sick, and taught morality.  So, he was doing things that made communal life better. He didn’t want to be widely known but rather his teachings widely received. Too often we look at the good works of some gifted people of God from the paradigm of our own (secret) self-serving ways.  We cynically ask, “what’s in it for them?” We don’t ask, “What good gifts has God given them that enhances our lives?”

Knowing that his friends were all about the fame and popularity of people, he told them, “Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.’ After saying this, he remained in Galilee.” (John 7: 8 – 9) However, after a little while our Lord Jesus had a change of mind and went to Jerusalem and to the Festival of Booths, but he went in secret.  (John 7:10)

Even today we never know when our Lord Jesus is near us, but in secret.  The good news is that when he is near, he is near to cause good to happen.  And while it is good to give our Lord Jesus praise and honor, the additional rejoicing should be about how much better our situation is about to be.  Thank you Lord Jesus and please stay near us, even if in secret, we need You to be close to us.

“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

Today we remember The Martyrs of Japan (February 5, 1597) and their information may be found at:  Martyrs of Japan

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. 827)

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74;

Genesis 23:1 to 20; Hebrews 11:32 to 12:2; John 6:60 to 71:

“It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)

We have the Spirit of God in us. And our Lord Jesus says it is this God-given spirit that gives us life.  We are more than blood-pumping hearts and lungs that exchange air.  As the saying goes, we are so much more than the sum of our parts. I know and have had experience with medical doctors who place their faith well ahead of their educated practice.

The Spirit speaks to us. The spirit in us serves as a communicator that connects us with the will of God. To realize what God is saying all we have to do is be still and be quiet.  Sure, our minds will wonder.  But as we regularly practice contemplative exercises by keeping times of sitting quietly, we will get better at receiving God’s guidance. As we learn from the lost son in Chapter 15 verse 7 of Luke’s account of the Gospel, we will get better at “coming to our senses,” or “to ourselves,” (depending on which translation you read). Times of meditation will reorient us into being who God intends for us to be.

From Blaise Pascal we learn that “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”  Down time, specifically quiet time, is the medicine of the soul.  It is during such quiet times that God visits us.  This lesson runs throughout the Bible: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, Hagar, Elijah, Mary, Joseph and our Lord Jesus, who was setting the example for us to follow, all had visits from God almighty because all went to their quiet places as oft as needed. We all should too. Thank You Lord Jesus.

 Today we remember Agatha of Sicily, Martyr (251ad) and her information may be found at:  Agatha of Sicily

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: Of the Holy Spirit (BCP p. 251)

Almighty and most merciful God, grant that by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit we may be enlightened and strengthened for your service; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73-96:
Genesis 22:1 to 18; Hebrews 11:23 to 31; John 6:52  to 59:

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day;” (John 6:54)

I joined the Episcopal Church along with the introduction of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Holy Communion became the liturgy for every Sunday as the weekly Feast Day of our Lord. I have heard that before the 1979 Prayer Book, Holy Communion was celebrated once or perhaps twice a month on specific Sundays. It was decided by General Convention (using the same scriptures we had always used), that every Sunday was the Feast Day of our Lord. For me, Holy Communion (Liturgy of the Table) is the most important part of the Sunday service.

While the verse from John 6:54 above, sounds cannibalistic on the surface, its true meaning makes much more spiritual sense. In the Anglican view of Consubstantiation, the bread and wine are not “changed” into the body and blood of Christ, but rather, embedded with the body and blood of Christ. The material itself never changes, but the spiritual presence of our Lord is added to it.  The celebrant and people ask God to be in the bread and wine so that life, true life, eternal life, will also dwell in us as we dwell in Him.

Maybe God knew that one day we would have “streaming” Church services and fixed this issue more than 2000 years ago with our Lord Jesus saying “Take and eat, do this in remembrance of me.”  We can’t stream a piece of bread or a sip of wine to “E” parishioners, nor should we want to.

Our regular attendance in Church and the receiving of Holy Communion, the taking inside of us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus is life changing for all who partake of it in faith.

Today we remember Manche Masemola, Martyr, 1928) and her information may be found at:  Manche Masimola.

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. 834)

O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of thy passion: Grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 21:1 to 21; Hebrews 11:13 to 22; John 6:41 to 51:

 “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day.” (John 6: 44)

Maybe not everybody is called to follow our Lord Jesus Christ or even to be a Christian.  Jesus says that “No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me.”  God sends certain people to our Lord Jesus. This was evident with the star that led the (non Christian) wise men to the child Jesus in Mathew’s Gospel; it was true for Simeon who was called to the Temple when Jesus was taken there at his Presentation; it was true when people like Andrew and  Philip and others brought their relatives or friends to Jesus.  In my own life, a Marine friend brought me to Jesus at St Anne’s Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee more than forty years ago.

Now having said all that, I don’t believe only Christians are saved.  I think God uses us Christians to assist in the saving action of God.  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Ruth, and David and Elijah and Elisha and others were saved and none of them were Christians. This saving includes some non-Christian, New Testament folk as well, because the term Christian was not put into use until the teachings about our Lord Jesus was taught in Antioch. We read, “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.” (Acts 11:25 – 26)

We Christians are like volunteer flight attendants making passengers comfortable and safe during the flight. While real flight attendants assist passengers in their travel, they do not recruit passengers to come and work for the airlines. And neither should we Christians try to force people into being Christians.  Another thing I have noticed about flight crews is that while passengers prepare to board the plane, flight attendents get a pass to go right on board.  So too, we have a pass to be raised up on the last day. God loves all people and we Christians are here to help even nonbelievers on their journey. God’s kingdom is not about us or them; it is about all of us together.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

I accidently sent Anskar’s day yesterday but it is today, sorry. Today, we remember Anskar, Bishop and Missionary to Denmark and Sweden (February 3, 865) and his information may be found at:   Anskar.

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 Human Family (BCP p. 815)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 19:1 to 29; Hebrews 11:1 to 12; John 6:27 to 40:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”  (Hebrews 11:6)

I don’t care much for the idea of reward seeking, but rather, just participating with God.

When we believe that there is a God, a loving God who has created, and is still creating, all life, we then have choices to make.  We can just sit back and enjoy the good works that God is doing, or through some antisocial twist of mind, work against the works of God.  Or, we can be a part of what God is doing by participating in the beauty and health and love of God’s works.

God wants to co-create and maintain creation with us.  And God will meet us if we take steps toward God. From our Hebrew reading we learn that there is a “response,” (rather than reward), to us as we seek God.  That response is more than we can ever ask or imagine.  Because we believe that God exists and that God is good, the sweat-equity we apply in our belief simultaneously invigorates us.  I think we should just do good for goodness sake. This then is not looking forward to some specific award, or rewards, that once accomplished, tends to encourage us to stop and bask in our accomplishments.  No, I believe that as we approach the will of God, we are pleased more and more by each step that we take. 

I saw a cartoon in the paper once where the child in the Charlie Brown Peanuts series who plays the piano, was asked by the little girl, who I believe has a crush on him that,  “What if he practiced for twenty years and never became rich or famous?”  To which he replied “The joy is in the playing.” And she responded, somewhat upset, “Really?”  This really captures how I feel about our approach to God.  The joy is in the approach. The joy is in the journey, really.

Today we remember Anskar, Bishop and Missionary to Denmark and Sweden (February 3, 865) and his information may be found at  Anskar.

Today we also remember The Dorchester Chaplains;  Lieutenant George Fox, Lieutenant Alexander D. Goode, Lieutenant Clark V. Poling, Lieutenant John P. Washington, 1943: and their information may be found at: The Dorchester Chaplains

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 Saturday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 18:1 to 16; Hebrews 10:26 to 39; John 6:16 to 27:

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it. Where can I go then from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”  (Psalm 139)

While I don’t agree with all of Psalm 139, at least not the “hate” parts, the all-knowing acceptance about who God is, I totally do agree with.   From my previous ponderings I have come to understand that God is “being”, is “existence”, is “thinking”, and therefore, is living “pondering,” This is the AM of the “I AM” of God.  It is not God was, or God will be.  No. this is God Is.  So, there are two points to note here.  First, God is fulfilled in God is Love.  All creation, including you and me, are made manifest in love, God’s love.

Second, from the Psalmist, God is everywhere. Wow!  There is no place we can go that God is not there and this includes to the rest room (location), or in a coma (your state of being). And, no matter where you go or what your state of being is, God has always been there and will always be there.  God is in our history, in our present, and in our future.  God’s will is an option in our decisions and our emotions.  God does not always like our decisions or the outcomes of what we decide to do, but God, the God of love, is still very present.

We cannot attain to the level of God’s intellect.  We can try, and I think, we should try, even though we cannot.  Being made aware of this does not mean we shouldn’t try.  I am a life-long learner and life-long lover. So, I have modified the Sci-Fi  Vulcan greeting of “Live long and prosper.”  My version is: “Live long, learn and love.” You Star Trek fans out there will understand this. So, for all of us, let’s live long, learn, and love always to the last of our mortal days that living and learning might continue on into our immortal days as well. There is no escaping God. We can’t hide from God nor can we deny the good of God that is made manifest in our lives. And for that, Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Marcella of Rome, Monastic and Scholar, 410  and his information may be found at: Marcella of Rome.

Today we also remember Samuel Shoemaker, Priest and evangelist, 1963. More may be found about him at;  Samuel Shoemaker

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, as you have searched us out and known us; and as you know our sitting down and our rising up; and as you discern our thoughts from afar, be close to us we pray, that our wills will be Your wills for us, and that all may learn to live in harmony as Jesus of Nazareth has taught us to do. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 40 and 54; Evening, Psalm 51;
Genesis 17:15 to 27; Hebrews 10:11 to 25; John 6:1 to 15:

“When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.” (John: 6:14)

I find John’s language to be a little puzzling. The part about “Who is to come into the world,” is clearly a prophetical prophecy about an event that is yet to happen. Jesus, however being present with them, has just “taken” the food, “blessed” it, in giving thanks to God for it, and “divided” it up and “handed” it out, among the people whom he had seated.  This is the four-fold mark of take, bless, brake, and give, that is replicated in our Holy Eucharist liturgy. It is God’s Way of being with us and leading us. And, it has already happened, not “to come.” Wake up folks, He’s here!

While Philip, in our John reading for today, argues that they do not have enough to feed all the people even a little taste, Jesus commands him, (and us), to just be patient, and have them to sit down.  I have noticed that in some Church communion services, the sacrament is indeed brought to “seated” parishioners who then partake of the food and drink. Maybe there is a lesson here for us who are stuck in our way of having people come to the rail. Maybe this is our form of “Altar Call.”

I don’t know the answer to all this, but I do know that our Lord Jesus is still making His mark on us as He is the One who is still coming into our world. We would do well to be still, sit down and be patient, and remember, whatever we have, however little we might think it is, it will be enough, and maybe with some left over. We just need to develop the desire to be the servants of Christ. Wake up folks, He’s here! Thank You Lord Jesus.

“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: (BCP p. 834)

Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalms 8 and 84;

Genesis 16:15 to 17:14; Hebrews 10:1 to 10; John 5:30 to 47:

“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be Abram,but your name shall be Abraham;for I have made you the ancestor of a multitude of nations.” (Genesis 17: 4 to 5)

This is our spiritual heritage.  We, yes even we Christians, are spiritual descendents of Abraham. The importance of who we are is not what our biology or ethnicity is.  None of that transcends this earthly life.  Only our spiritual selves ascend to the glory of eternity.

Given this information how does that impact how we should live while still in our physical selves?  For me it means a life of trying to establish and maintain a connection with the spiritual world while still in this one. It means often thinking about relatives and loved ones who have gone on but are perhaps, in some way, still aware of us as they are in their heavenly new world. It is the spirit and faith of Abraham that God treasures. And we are descendants of that same spirit – we are truly kindred spirits to Abraham.  We have a prayer in our Book of Common Prayer in the Easter Vigil that really speaks to this. I will close this page with that prayer.

We Christians are among the spiritual offspring of Abraham, and the inheritance of Israel, through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Lili Uokalani of Hawaii, queen and Hymnographer (November 11, 1917)  and her information may be found at: Lili’uokalani of Hawaii.

Today we also remember Andrei Rublev, Monk and Iconographer, 1430 and more may be found about him at;  Andrei Rublev.

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 289)

O God, whose wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, you once delivered by the power of your mighty arm your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation of all nations by the water of Baptism: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be numbered among the offspring of Abraham, and rejoice in the inheritance of Israel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 16:1 to 14; Hebrews 9:15 to 28; John 5:19 to 29:

“Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomsoever he wishes. The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life.” (John 5: 21 – 24)

This lesson from our Lord Jesus says that God has “delegated” all next life invitations to our Lord Jesus.  One way to receive such an invitation is to believe this and live accordingly.

As a priest I often officiate at funerals.  The biggest message that people want to hear is the one about our being raised from the dead.  Sometimes it’s hard to connect the life of the deceased to his or her life of faith.  We preachers preach faith, that doesn’t mean we know the faith of others.  Only God knows the faith of a person regardless of the faith path they live.

And God has left all decisions about eternal life to God Incarnate, our Lord Jesus. After closely studying the words from our John passage this morning I get the sense that believers already have eternal life.  Believers may not live what some of us consider the so called perfect “Christian” life but still believe that Jesus is Lord. Having faith is not necessarily about being in church all the time.  It is about one’s prayer life.  Prayer is not necessarily about audible words. It is about where your heart is.  It is sometimes about how much you cry.  Crying is praying. God’s ears hears tears.

For those among us who have not accepted our Lord Jesus, such people come under judgment.  I believe the language clearly says all people must pass again through our Lord Jesus (from Whom all creation came into being, John 1:3), to eternal life. Such non-believers come under judgment. The faithful believer does not. I don’t believe a loving God lays waste a life lived in love for fellow human beings, but instead, leaves that judgment up to our Lord Jesus, who is also our loving God; our  God, who loves all people. Judgment does not necessarily mean condemnation.  Some do not believe this all-inclusive love of God because of bad teaching and preaching.  Some don’t believe because they have never heard about our Lord Jesus and His loving and inclusive Way.  God in Christ Jesus will not let the lack of being informed separate us from eternal life.  This includes infants who never had a chance, to the so-called atheists who are trying to figure things out for themselves. God is love. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Thomas Aquinas, priest, Friar, and Theologian (January 28, 1274) and his information may be found at: Thomas Aquinas.

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 Human Family (BCP p. 815)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.