Author: John Thomas Frazier

This is the Sixth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for December 30^th: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 20 and 21:1to 7; Evening, Psalm 23 and  27;

1^st Kings 17:17 to 24; 3^rd Letter of John 1 to 15; John 4:46 to 54:

Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” (John 4:50)

Going to our Lord Jesus is the most powerful act we can perform for someone. It is more important than money. The Scripture in today’s Gospel reading says that the man believed and started back home. However, he did inquire about the time the boy was healed, and scripture says he believed (again).   Regardless of when he really believed, he obeyed Jesus and started for home.  Jesus is everywhere. He didn’t have to be standing above the child to heal him. He healed him across space and time. Our Lord Jesus is still doing this today for those who ask, across time and space.

Prayer, with forgiveness, is the greatest of gifts we can ever give to anyone, for Christmas, or anytime. Jesus is everywhere.  Merry Christmas: Day 6

As followers of the Christ of Christmas, we should do whatever he tells us.  Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

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

This is the 5th Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for December 29: Year 2:

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

2^nd Samuel 23: 13 to 17; 2^nd John 1 to 13; John 2:1 to 11:

“His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

I agree with the Late Verna Dozier in her book, “The Dream of God,” that we, as Christians should be more concerned with following (obeying), our Lord Jesus than worshiping him. I also hold these words of the Mother of Jesus as one of two most powerful (although shortest), sermons in the Christian Testament; “Do whatever he tells you.” She is talking to the servants. Jesus gives them instructions about what to do, and they do it. Jesus also gives us, his servants, instructions about what we are to do. Will we do them?

As followers of the Christ of Christmas, we should do whatever he tells us.  Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

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

This is the Fourth Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Innocence

Jeremiah 31:15 to 17;  Psalm 124;  Revelation 21:1 to 7;  Matthew 2:13 to 18:

“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”  (Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18)

(Edited and republished from December28, 2019)

I know a Rachel who has no children and yet she is a perfect mother. She is kind and gentle, very smart and nurturing.  Children, when we are blessed with them, are a gift from God. And because they are precious in God’s sight, they should be precious in our sight as well.  After all, we are made in the Image of God. We should all be Rachel; we should all be Saint Nicolas (Santa Claus). The first Herod who ruled Judah around the birth of our Lord Jesus was not great; he was an evil monster and baby killer as recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew. He felt threatened by a New Born King.  This is sad.

We are never to hurt or harm children, only love them, teach them, save and help them. Children are what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

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

This is the Third Day of Christmas

Eucharist Readings for St John the Evangelist

Exodus 33:18 to 23; Psalm 92; 1^st John 1:1  to  9: John 21: 19 to  24:

“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.”  (John 21:24)

(Edited and republished from December 27, 2019)

John is one of at least five Apostles that the Gospel shows evidence of being handpicked by Jesus.  Oh the Gospel says he had 12 but some were just joiners I guess.  John and James, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and later Matthew (Levi; Matthew 9:9), were actually invited with the words, “follow me,” and they accepted.  There was also the rich young man but he declined the invitation of our Lord. (Matthew 19:21)  His name could have been among the 12 (or five), He was invited but his many possessions had control of him. There is a lesson in this for you and me.

John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1: 1 to 3). We have a beginning from One who has no beginning.

We must recognize the testimony of John as a divine revelation and message. All of his words, from the Gospel according to John, his pastoral letters, and the Divine Revelation from our Lord Jesus, are God’s doing and it is for our benefit. Thank You Lord Jesus.

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

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

This is the Second Day of Christmas 2021

Eucharistic Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Day

Isaiah 61:10 to 62:3;   Psalm 147;  Galatians 3:23 to 25 and 4:4 to 7; John 1:1 to18:

“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12)

(Edited and republished from Sunday, December 29, 2019)

That’s what I want to be, “Child of God.”  I believe I am a child of God already.  I just don’t think I fully understand the power of believing. I believe, not just in God, but also in God’s heavenly realm where saints dwell in light everlasting. Such a place includes Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.  Therefore, I believe in Santa Claus and that Santa Claus still lives. Such a place also includes Saints John (both the Baptist and the Evangelist), Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saints Mary, (mother of Jesus), and Mary Magdalene, (servant of our Lord), and many other saints who have gone before.  I too am a servant of our Lord.  The power of faith or belief is a Christmas gift from God. Thank You Lord Jesus.

It is an extraordinary gift we have, to believe in God. All Christians should live into what we believe about the love of God.   Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does with his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through the saints of God and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John

Eucharistic Readings for Christmas Day

Isaiah 9:2 to 7;  Psalm 96;  Titus 2:11 to 14; Luke 2:1-20:

“While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6 – 7)

(Edited and republished from Christmas Day of 2019)  

No room at the inn, BALDERDASH!  I would like to think that you or I would have given up our room for a pregnant woman, any pregnant woman or at least shared it, if we only knew about her.  We are not unique in this regard.  There have always been compassionate people like us in the world.  But we have to know about the need of the pregnant woman.  No, I think this lack of compassion rests clearly on the managers of the inn.  They didn’t want to upset the paying guests, This lack of compassion is more accurately termed “inconsiderate.”

There would have been room in the inn for Herod; there would have been room for Caesar, today there would be room for the Governor, there would be room for the President.  But there was a lack of compassion for this pregnant girl on the part of management. 

Jesus is born in Bethlehem at the corner of Ignorance and Inconsiderate. In Dickens “A Christmas Carol” the ghost of Christmas Present shows two children whose names are “Ignorance” and “Want.”  The ghost additionally says; “beware of them both but more especially of Ignorance.”  I’m thinking ignorance can be fixed with some good teaching and preaching.  That is what Jesus came to do, to inform the ignorant among us. This has always benefited and changed me.

Do you think that when ignorance is informed, such a one will become more considerate?  There are some examples in the life of Jesus.  In chapter 3 of the Gospel of John Jesus meets Nicodemus in darkness (pun intended), and explains how one must be born again from above to be saved. Later, in chapter 19 of the same Gospel, after Jesus has died and was taken down from the cross, Nicodemus brings fragrances to anoint the body.  He changed from being inconsiderate to being very compassionate through being informed and taught, and was brought out of his darkness.

This baby Jesus born this day teaches us and brings us out of our darkness also. Jesus informs us so that we too may be open to those who need our help, or shared use of our room in the inn. In this way we too are saved.  Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas

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

Today is Christmas Eve!  So I have decided (as is my custom) to break from the normal readings in order to again share my poem written in 2006.  Enjoy:

The First Night Before Christmas

It was me and my buddies out watching our sheep,

The night was quiet, not one of them bleeped.

It was so quiet in fact, we were about to sleep,

When we noticed someone out by the sheep.

Then all at once it became very clear,

No ordinary person was visiting us here.

We were all afraid, but he said “Fear Not.”

And then there were more, and their numbers wouldn’t stop.

He said go to Bethlehem and see the Baby,

He is the Word of God, there is no maybe.

He said the baby’s in Bethlehem, lying in a manger,

He can save you all, from permanent danger.

Then they all left, praising God for this birth,

Just like they came, they were all gone from the earth.

Then I and my friends said, let’s go if we’re able,

To Bethlehem there, and straight to the stable.

And there we were on a cold winter’s night,

We saw Mary, Joseph and Baby, what a sight!

We told them everything right from the start,

But Mary just smiled, kept our words in her heart.

So we left there then in the thick of the night,

Asking you to thank God with all of your might.

Luke 2: 8 – 20

The Reverend John Thomas Frazier

2006

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 4^th Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening,  Psalm 146 and 147;
2^nd Samuel 7:18 to 29; Galatians 3:1 to 14; Luke 1:57 to 66:

“He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed.” (Luke 1:63)

I think it is important to look at Zachariah’s response carefully.  He did not say his name will be John. He said his name is John. The author of Christening is Christened “John” before he was born!

Zachariah had to write his response as he was still under the penalty of the angel Gabriel and therefore not able to speak.  As soon as he wrote the truth as had been told to him from the beginning, he got his voice back. I believe Gabriel was present with them but did not allow them to see him; just as I believe angels are present with us now, but do not allow us to see them. Zachariah got his voice back and so he spoke praising God:

“Then, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:
 ‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
   for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
 He has raised up a mighty savior for us
   in the house of his servant David,
 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
  that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
   and has remembered his holy covenant,
 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
   to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
   before him all our days.
 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
   by the forgiveness of their sins.
 By the tender mercy of our God,
   the dawn from on high will break upon us,                                                   to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1: 67 to 79)

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 4^th Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 111and 113;
2^nd  Samuel 7:1 to 17; Titus 2:11 to 3:8a; Luke 1:39to 56:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.” (Luke 1:46 to 48).

It is from prior words of this reading of Luke that we get the words for praying the Rosary. The words come from Elizabeth, the relative of Mary who said of Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  It is with these words the Rosary is prayed.

I like Mary’s response, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.”  Her soul magnifies the Lord and so we call her words the “Magnificat.” This Mary who answered to the angel Gabriel, “let it be with me as you have said,” has opened herself to God for the benefit of all people for all time; those who like her and the many who neither know her nor love her. But, she agrees to the service of the Lord for the benefit of all people.

Mary listens to her soul as it is in communication with God. She understands that her soul is in conversation with God, about her.  So too, our souls are in conversation with God about us.

If we empty ourselves of human busyness, God will fill it with divine purpose, God will look upon the lowliness of us who have forsaken human preoccupation with money, power and greed. God always seeks those who proclaim, “let it be with me as you have said,” or, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

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 4^th Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 66 and 67; Evening,  Psalm 116 and 117;
1^st  Samuel 2:1b to 10; Titus 2:1 to 10; Luke 1:26 to 38:

“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)

The angel Gabriel approaches Mary and shares with God’s plan for humanity. Mary is of the lower middle class of her day and place. There are people around her who look down on her. The whole land of her home is occupied and dominated by a foreign army, Rome. What God is proposing is for her to be a co-creator with God to create a space in human history for God to be made manifest with us, Emmanuel. This service is for the benefit of those who love her and those who don’t.

Here is yet another example of the true believer emptying themselves in order to be useful for God. Mary, the Mother of God Incarnate literally gives her body in the service of the will of God. “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Today we reflect on Thomas the apostle.  But before we get into Thomas as the so-called “Doubting Thomas,” let’s ask why Thomas was not with the other disciples.  The now eleven apostles (Judas has killed himself) are continually locked in a room.  Only Mary Magdalene and some other women are running back and forth getting provisions and giving updates on Jesus sightings to the apostles, save Thomas. Why?

This makes me ponder.  Perhaps the decisions of the group are going in a direction that Thomas didn’t agree with.   These men are human just like me.  The feelings I have today are some of the same feelings they, and in particular Thomas, might have had then. When Thomas says, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe,” (John 20:25), maybe this statement was about his disbelief of the ten, not something he thought Jesus couldn’t do.

Thomas has courage in the Gospel of John.  When Jesus is warned about going back to Jerusalem that he might be killed there, “Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” (John 11: 16). This surely shows both his character and his courage.  Also, Thomas speaks up when he doesn’t understand something that Jesus said.  When Jesus announces his death and tells them that they know the way he is going, the confused Thomas speaks up,  “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  (John 14:5).  To doubt, if in fact we do, is to reflect on the uncertainty of our faith. There have been a number of times I have had some doubt but followed my faith anyway. So too I believe Thomas was a faithful apostle even before he was invited to touch the wounds of 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