Author: John Thomas Frazier

Eucharistic Readings for the 3^rd Sunday of Easter: Year C

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11 to 14; John 21:1 to 19:

 ^“A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” “He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (NRSV John 21:16-17)

 Volvió a preguntarle: —Simón, hijo de Juan, ¿me amas? Pedro le contestó:—Sí, Señor, tú sabes que te quiero.  Jesús le dijo: —Cuida de mis ovejas.  Por tercera vez le preguntó: —Simón, hijo de Juan, ¿me quieres? Pedro, triste porque le había preguntado por tercera vez si lo quería, le contestó: —Señor, tú lo sabes todo: tú sabes que te quiero. Jesús le dijo: —Cuida de mis ovejas. (Spanish NT: John 21:16-17)

Σίμων  Ἰωάννου, ἀγαπᾷς με; λέγει αὐτῷ· Ναί, κύριε, σὺ οἶδας ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ· Ποίμαινε τὰ πρόβατά μου.  λέγει αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον· Σίμων Ἰωάννου, φιλεῖς με; ἐλυπήθη ὁ Πέτρος ὅτι εἶπεν αὐτῷ τὸ τρίτον· Φιλεῖς με; καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Κύριε, πάντα σὺ οἶδας, σὺ γινώσκεις ὅτι φιλῶ σε. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Βόσκε τὰ πρόβατά μου. (Greek NT:John 21:16-17)

As can be seen from the above, there is significant difference between the English wording; and the Spanish and Greek wording.  In English the word “love” is used by Jesus and Peter all three times.  But in Spanish Jesus uses the word “amas”(love) the first and second time and Peter uses “quieres”(want).  On the third time Jesus uses the word “quieres.” So likewise in the Greek NT, Jesus asks with the word ἀγαπᾷς (sacrificial love), the first two times while Peter answers with  “φιλεῖς” (like), but Jesus asks the third time, meeting Peter where he is, with the word “φιλεῖς.” Let us also remember that Jesus spoke Aramaic, His words were later translated into Greek.

This shows how much can be lost in English. There are levels of affection that are not always properly expressed in English. (Eros – Philos – Agape: different Greek expressions of love) This is so important given that Jesus is the “Word’ of God in human form.

Like Peter, we too are not able to meet Jesus where Jesus meets us. So Jesus changes the language to make it easier for us. This is why Peter was hurt, not so much because it was the third time, but rather, because of the realization that he is not able to return the level of love that Jesus has for him. Neither are we.  Jesus more than just wants or likes us. Jesus loves us, sacrificially and unconditionally.

Tied in with this language is the instruction to care for the sheep. We have sheep in Ukraine who need caring for. Let us love the Lord, and love the scattered sheep of Ukraine and care for them, trying as hard as we can to meet our Lord Jesus where He is.

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

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

Morning, Psalms 20 and 21; Evening, Psalms 110:1-5(6-7) and Psalms 116 and 117

 Exodus 17:1 to 16; 1^st Peter 4:7 to 19; John 16:16 to 33:

“When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.”  (John 16: 21)

Perhaps labor pain is the one pain that Jesus did not actually experience but it doesn’t take away from the point he is making, and that is that we go through some discomfort that brings about more than just relief, it brings newness of life and great pleasure. 

The book of Ecclesiastes seems to me to have as its running theme that “all is vanity.”  This suggests to me that perhaps our whole life is but the off-and-on-again labor of love until we finally come into new life as a heavenly being.

The stresses of this life can be emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual.  At this writing, we are witnessing the horrors and devastation of Ukraine by the Russian army, which also impacts the other stresses we suffer, even way over here in the U.S.; it impacts our emotional, psychological and our spiritual health.

As a dedicated believer and a person of prayer, my default, or go-to, position is the spiritual.  Armed with the understanding that I will not live forever, it is through my spiritual self that I believe is eternal.  So, as St. Peter says in our readings for today:

“The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”  (1 Peter 4: 7 – 11)

And I believe that this is who we are called to be. We, as Christians, are baptized into servanthood. To not serve using our God-given gifts is like having continuous labor pains without bringing forth the promised new life ever. We serve across the street and across the globe.

 I pray that our emotional, psychological and our spiritual labor pains turn to joy when Ukraine rises from their tomb as did our Lord Jesus on their Easter Day of victory and Independence.

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

Daily Office Reading for Friday of the 2^nd Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 16 and 17; Evening, Psalms 134 and 135;

Exodus 16:23 to 36; 1^st Peter 3:13 to 4:6; John 16:1 to 15:

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)

I used to wonder why people in the Superman comic book series, especially Lois Lane, didn’t realize that if she never saw Clark Kent and Superman at the same time, they might be the same person! It is amazing what a suit and a pair of glasses will do. 

Jesus says “if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” It sounds like a phone booth transformation to me.   So, they are one and the same perhaps. I just feel like Jesus is God’s way of really knowing what it is like to be one of us.  In Christ Jesus, God experiences our joy, pain, sorrow, abuse, tyranny, foods, relationships, work, play and on and on. There is no existence or experience in human life that God has not experienced personally in the person of Jesus except for maybe giving birth. Therefore, God knows all, and every kind of our delights and our troubles.  As the old hymn goes, “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, Nobody knows but Jesus.”

Our Advocate, sent by our Lord Jesus, can best be summed up in the words of the Preacher to the Hebrews as he writes, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin;” (Hebrews 4:15). I think it is very important to believe in, and hope for, eternal life. Without the expected accountability to come and life everlasting, where is the governance of our conduct now, in this life? We need to learn this message now and improve ourselves daily.

As we have sent U.S. dignitaries to Ukraine who have gone there and returned, so too we should send them advocates with the assurance that we are with them to the end. They need to feel like the world has not abandoned them.  Ukraine has no choice but to stand firm. I think, so do we, along with them, right by their side, advocating for justice and peace.

 “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 is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 2^nd Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 18:1 to 20; Evening, Psalm 18: 21 to 50;

Exodus 16:10-22; 1^st Peter 2:11 to 25; John 15:12 to 27:

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15: 12)

I really like this “John” rendition of the love commandment better than the one in the Synoptic Gospels where it is said, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  The presupposition is that you love yourself. I have met people who do not love themselves. How then can they be expected to love others? 

I am not trying to promote narcissism here but a great many people need to know that they are loved by God and to suggest that God can’t act in them is not saying they are not good enough, but that God, in all God’s unlimited ability, is not able to act in them. Balderdash! God can, and will, use any person to do God’s will.  We are definitely commanded to love ourselves as part of the commandment to love. But just in case we don’t get it, St. John records our Lord Jesus as saying love “one another” (which includes yourself), as I have loved you. Jesus says, “As I have loved you.”  And remember, Jesus loved you all the way to the cross. Every human being is so worthy, and so loved.  Thank you Lord Jesus.

Every human being includes the people of Ukraine.  Here is a people trying to have their own place in the world in order that they might contribute back to the world. They are suffering an unprovoked attack on their sovereignty. Words from Psalm 18 fit the situation of Ukraine,  “I will call upon the Lord, and so shall I be saved from my enemies:” (Psalm 18:3). It is through our witnessing eyes that God helps them. Therefore, let us do the Lord’s work. It is in this way that we show that we have love for one another.

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

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 2^nd Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:1-24; Evening,  Psalms 12, 13 and 14; 

Exodus 15:22 to16:10;  1^st Peter 2:1 to 10;  John 15:1 to11: 

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2: 9)

When Peter says we are a chosen race he is not talking about Jews or Whites or Blacks or Asians or Hispanics or Europeans.  All are included in the faith. But specifically he is talking about God believing humans. He is talking about those of us who have said that we believe and are in fact God’s people no matter how we are packaged.  And we will proclaim God’s mighty acts, of old, and what we witness God doing now.

How has God acted in your life?  What good has happened in your life that is not easily explained outside of God’s mighty acts?  God is all around us and God knows that when we, who believe, see something mysteriously happen, we know God is doing this work and it tickles us.  When it happens we pause and say, “Thank you God,” and we chuckle to ourselves.  It is in such ways that God calls us out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.

The Bible does not really end with the Revelation to John, at least not for the record of humanity’s relationship with God.  We, you and I, are the continuation of the Living Bible. God still lives and will always live. And we are invited to join in the heavenly kingdom beyond the pages of scripture. Scripture will remain here for God’s own chosen race of faith to continue to read and heed.  There comes a time however when we leap from our earthly relationship to that all spiritual relationship into the full identity as a child of God in our Lord Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. My beloved of the Lord, please do all in your power to live fully into a life of faith.

I continue to call on all believers to help, aid and assist our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. I also don’t want us to forget our Russian brothers and sisters who do not agree with what their government is doing in Ukraine. Our race of faith is one of genuine God loving faith. It makes us different from non-believers, not different based on ethnicity or nationality, but because we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,in order that we may proclaim the mighty acts of him (Jesus), who called us out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.

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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 5 and 6; Evening, Psalm 10 and 11; 

Exodus 15:1 to 21;  1^st Pet. 1:13 to 25;  John 14:18 to 31;

“Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.” (1^st Peter 1: 21)

I think Peter in his first letter here is correct about what our Lord Jesus was, and is, doing.  It is through our Lord Jesus that we Christians have come to trust in God.  Often we Christians only focus on Jesus and not on where He is still pointing us to, that is, to the Creator of all creation. It is in the early hours that I ponder these things. “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.” (Psalm 5:3)

God is Creator, Sustainer and Sanctifier.  God is everywhere all the time.  Peter tells us that through God raising Jesus from the dead, and then placed in our midst, our faith and hope should be set on God, the All Mighty, invincible, God only wise.  We all should be looking to God for answers to all our problems.  God cares for us and wants us to come to God for spiritual survival.

This God of spiritual survival is very present in Ukraine. Oh for sure, some Ukrainians have died. But even those who have died are with God now in paradise.

I truly admire President Zelenskyy and his upbeat encouragement.  He is working for all Ukrainians, regardless of where they live in Ukraine. He is struggling to help those who are on the Russian border as well as those who have been slaughtered around the capital and in the western part of Ukraine. He is asking for help and we should give it to him. And we should continue to keep him and his people in our daily, and particularly, our morning prayers.

Regardless of how we build and use a path to God, there is only One Source of love and life. Some individuals, institutions and even countries don’t get it. Love and life come from the same Source, and it is to this Source that Jesus was directing us so that our faith and hope are set on this Source of love and life. The Spirit of the Source was surely speaking through Saint Peter. Thank you Saint Peter.

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

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

Morning, Psalms 1, 2, 3; Evening, Psalms 4 and 7;   

Exodus 14:21-31; 1 Pet. 1:1-12; John 14:1-17:

“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 “create” a space for us. The good news is that there is a space, a dwelling 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 Jesus.

In what I call my “man-cave” upstairs are 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 me with the good works I have done, and hopefully, will do as I await his call to my eternal home. How about you my friend?  What personal souvenirs or memorabilia is our Lord Jesus preparing your space with? The good news is, if you are reading this 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.”

Our continued support of Ukraine is but a piece of the décor that our Lord will use to ornate our dwelling place with. The good we do now goes with us as a keepsake in the next life. While there may not be a lot we can do, praying for Ukraine is the first step. We just need to ask God to help them and then be prepared for what the Spirit might say to us as a copartner in the help process.

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

Eucharistic Readings for the Second Sunday of Easter: Year C

Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31; Psalm 118:14-29 or Psalm 150:

 “But Thomas (who was called the Twin – also Didymus) one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” (John 20:24-25a)

We know that of the twelve, Judas has died.  All the rest, the eleven, now stayed together. Most of their time, after the resurrection, it is revealed that they huddled together in a room behind a locked door. The writers make that point to let us know that the door was locked but the Resurrected Jesus appeared within the room anyway.

So why was Thomas not with them?  I recall Thomas as one who suggested that they all go to Jerusalem and die with Jesus; (John 11:16). So he was no coward.  Also Thomas was not afraid to speak up when Jesus made statements about his followers knowing where he was going. Thomas spoke up and said that in fact they did not know where he was going, and he wondered how could they know the way; (John 14:5).  This shows something of the character of Thomas.  He was a person of dedication, integrity, courage, and honesty about what he knows and does not know.  Perhaps he was tired of the weakness of the other ten.  He was tired enough to be away from them as they stayed locked up in their room.

Now these men who came out of their self imprisonment to approach Thomas with news of the Resurrection. Thomas doubts the people who also doubted the person who first brought the news to them, Mary Magdalene.  Yet they come to Thomas with the same words, “We have seen the Lord.”

Yes, Thomas does say that unless certain criteria are met he would not believe.  But maybe this was more about his relationship with the ten than a real doubt about the Risen Jesus.  While Jesus invites Thomas to touch him we don’t have it in writing that he actually does.  Just seeing Jesus was enough to see that the others were in fact telling the truth and Thomas proclaims Jesus as his Lord and his God. (John 20:28)

What does it mean for us today to hear “We have seen the Lord”?  I think whenever we are blessed enough to see something good happen, when it was against all odds, we have seen Jesus raised.  When we see life given back to someone who was dying, or a life saving operation, or an accident that could have been much worse, we have seen the Lord.  Jesus is made manifest in the many miracles that happen all around us.  And they are still happening all the time.

Sometimes, like Thomas, we are not so sure of the sources that report the miracles.  But we must remember, it’s really not about them, it’s about Jesus and his invitation to just believe even if we have not seen but have been told.  And because we have been told, and yet not personally seen, we believe, and so, are blessed.

I now look for our Lord Jesus in Ukraine as they stay huddled up, locked in, in national captivity.  I pray and believe, though unseen, that the Lord is with them.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

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

Readings for Saturday of Easter Week: Year C

Acts 4:13-21; Mark 16:9-15,20; Psalm 118:14-18 or Psalm 118:19-2:

 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.  When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.  So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another.  They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it.  But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” (Acts 4: 13 – 17)

Because the earth turns out to be round and not flat as believed by early Bible writers, and thus does not have four corners, does not mean that God does not exist. And because the sun does not orbit around the earth as believed by early writers of the Bible, but in fact the earth moves around the sun, does not mean that God does not exist.

I have a strong faith.  However, I pray that God assists my intellect when I’m faced with some new-to-me fact of God’s love that I did not know. So when something new is shown to me I find a way to evolve, to “re-ponder,” my faith in a way that will help me adapt to it for the sake of my soul and my love of others. 

In the passage above we have men who acknowledge that good has been done.  But rather than accept it and adjust, they wish to be quiet about it and keep it from the people.  There comes a time when we must acknowledge the evidence presented to us.  This does not mean the giving up of one’s faith, but rather, to ponder anew what the Almighty can do, and is doing.

These men in the Acts passage above are all about maintaining their religious power. They want to keep from spreading among the people something good that they themselves can’t deny.  Rather than finding ways to be a part of this Good News, they want to suppress it. Do they not have loved ones who could benefit from this healing power made manifest by Peter in Jesus’ Name?

There are many religious sects today that operate from this kind of controlling fear and forbid their members from visiting or participating in any other faith traditions. The fear is that if they see something they think is better, they are lost.  I am reminded of an old saying, “If you love something, let it go, if it comes back to you, it’s yours, if it does not, it never was.”

I belong to the Christian Tradition that operates our Washington National Cathedral. Many diverse faiths have been, and continue to be, invited to speak from our pulpit. Jesus is about love and inclusiveness, not fear and controlling.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today things look gloomy in Ukraine. But we should never give up on them and what God is doing on their behalf. I heard a priest from Eastern Ukraine say that all he’s got is prayer. Prayer is enough, it will bring the help needed.  I pray with him and for the whole of Ukraine. God help us.

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

Eucharistic Readings for Friday in Easter Week: Year C

Acts 4:1-12;  John 21:1-14;  Psalm 116:1-8 or Psalm 118:19-24:

 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is `the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”  (Acts 4:8 -12)

I have learned from buying furniture that comes unassembled in a box with various loose pieces, to not throw anything away – at least until the new item is completely assembled.  The very piece you think has no use is the very piece that holds everything together.  So it is with people too.

There was a small parish that needed to raise funds to do various carpentry projects around the building.  Much attention was given to the high dollar folk in the congregation.  And almost disregard was given to the poor or out of work parishioners.  One of the out-of-work persons, it turns out, was a carpenter, who, at the time, had both the talent and the time to make a huge difference in how much money they would need or that could be saved. We can’t dismiss anybody.

Each and every one of us contains a treasure that God has put in us.  The Creating Word has placed in each of us something the rest of us needs.  There are no trash people. We may trash ourselves, but that’s not God’s doing. I fear that some people turn to do bad things because they don’t know that God has blessed them with a much needed gift.  It’s in you and it’s in me. We need each other. God made us that way.

Jesus is the only One who has the one thing that all people need, salvation. Since it is through Jesus that we all came into being, it is also through Jesus that we all have eternal life.  And he was the piece that was thrown away!   Thank God that “forever” death was overturned.

How many gifts are contained in the people of Ukraine?  They are our gifts. We need to save them.

“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 is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John