Author: John Thomas Frazier

(Edited and republished from December 3, 2019)

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Week 1 of Advent: Year 2

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

 Amos 3:1 to 11; 2nd Peter1:12 to 21; Matthew 21:12 to 22:

“First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”  (2 Peter 1: 20 – 21)

This is one of the readings that I have read at our Education for Ministry (EfM) graduations.  We have a Holy Eucharist with our graduation.  We want the Holy Spirit to be present with us.  After four years of study, graduating participants stand before the gathered community, some of whom are also graduates of EfM, and express what EfM has meant for them.  It is always a moving experience.

A big component of EfM are the Theological Reflections.  This is a time of deep pondering of what the Holy Spirit is really saying to us.  The message of the Holy Spirit can be in accordance with the words of scripture or the words of scripture can be a catalyst for where the Spirit wants us to be. It is prophetic.  And “no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 

The Bible should be read within prayer.  One’s reading of the Bible should be in the context of believing that God has made all things good (including us), and loves us more than we can imagine.  In this way we will see, even words of war and wrath, in a merciful way.  The prayer we pray will help us to see where God is in the readings.  We should not pry into the Bible but rather pray into the Bible. If a person doesn’t pray into the Bible, he or she shouldn’t even bother reading the Bible.  The prophetic message comes through the words in the Bible riding on the faith of the reader.

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 1 Advent (revised and republished from December 2 of 2019)

Morning, Psalm 1, 2, and 3; Evening,  Psalm 4 and 7;                         Amos 2:6 to 16; 2^nd Peter 1:1 to 11; Matthew 21:1 to 11:

“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”  (2^nd Peter1: 3)

St. Peter proclaims that God has given us all that we need for both life and godliness.  The life part we share with all living creatures.  We all breathe and consume and grow.  What makes humanity different is that we also have all that we need to live our God-given lives in a godly way.

Perhaps the first thing that we should recognize about God is that God is the Creator.  Notice the big “C.”  We humans then, created in the Image of God and being godly are created creators.  Notice the little “c.”

God is Creator in all ways.  Most of us are creators in specific ways.  Some of us are creators in just a few ways or maybe only one way, but it is the godly part of us and we should not deny it.

Also part of the godly part is the implanted love of God that is in us but too often denied.  This love part was modeled for us by God in the person of our Lord Jesus. And we have it “through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

When I read these words attributed to Peter I realize that God, acting in our Lord Jesus Christ, was still at work in Peter who denied Him three times.  When we deny our gifts we too deny God who created us and gifted us.  Our life’s search should be to discover our hidden talents.  All of us have a godly part within us. If we have life (check your pulse) then we have love and a godly gift.

Let me say that it is through love that your godly gift is discovered.  Don’t resist the urge to just let go and let God.  Experiment through love of the many and manifold ways that you might express happiness.  The rest of us are waiting to see what God has given you.  We are waiting in this Advent time of expectation to see something new born in you.

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

Happy Church New Year and welcome to Year C of our Eucharistic Lectionary and to Year 2 of our Daily Office.

Eucharistic Readings for the First Sunday in Advent: Year C

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-9; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)

Our Lord Jesus informs us that this fragile earth, our island home, will pass away.  This earth is our spaceship of life as we know it now.  But we have an invitation to board the Love ship of God.

Just like everything that we design and make, eventually breaks down, so too God has engineered an Escaton Day (End of Days) wherein creation as we know it, ends.  The only thing that continues to have life is the Word of Christ.

We can live in His Eternal Word. But it requires some effort on our part. First and foremost, we must simply believe the words of our Lord Jesus. All three of the Synoptic Gospel accounts has an “End of Days” revelation. The John account has its own Revelation that closes our Bible.

With our belief, we must put forth action.  We must live lives of service to others modeling our love for our neighbor, regardless of their beliefs or unbelief.  We are to love them, not judge them. This is a tough calling.  Christianity is not for the faint of heart.  We know that we will individually pass away. Now we are informed that this earth, this planet we live on and that provides for us, will also pass away.  Now is our opportunity to adjust to the love-life of Christ Jesus and his words for us, which are eternal and will never, never, never pass away. Advent is a time of expectation. Let us look for Christ to come.

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 Proper 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 137:1- to 6, and Psalm 144; Evening,  Psalm 104:
Micah 7:11 to 20; 1^st Peter 4:7 to 19; Matthew 20:29 to 34:

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1^st Peter 4: 8)

Saint Peter makes me very happy with these words.  I am a sinner. But, I am also a lover of people.  It is good to know that love covers a multitude of sins.

I believe our hearts are what lead us to do most of the things we do in life, whether it’s a passion for one of the art forms, or for particular people we want in our lives. I know that there are people who only act on logic and what makes sense as they see it. Perhaps they are the hardest to defend when sin occurs. 

I do also believe that most just laws seek to understand where the lawbreaker’s heart was when a tragic event happens. I know someone who hit a person with her car. The person ran out in front of traffic at night before the driver had time to stop. The hit person died.  While it was sad, it was not intentional. The driver had to have therapy before she was able to drive again.

If this event had been intentional, it would be sin, because the heart was not acting out of love. The courts also would hold the perpetrator accountable.  Acting outside the realm of love for reason of revenge or whatever caused the crime or sin does not hold with “covers a multitude of sins.” It takes doing everything we do to be from love that will see us through.

 Inevitably we will sin. We are not perfect. But when we reflect back over our sinful event, we don’t want to have to look too hard to see where our heart was. Love must be our foundational catalyst. It covers a multitude of sins.

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 Friday of Proper 29: Year 1

 Morning, Psalms 140 and 142; Evening,  Psalms 141 and 143:1 to 11;
 Isaiah,  24:14 to 23; 1^st Peter 3:13 to 4:6; Matthew 20:17 to 28:

“It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave:” (Matthew 20: 26 and 27).

I believe what our Lord Jesus is driving at is being comfortable with being the one who keeps everything going without being noticed. More to the point is to not seek greatness at all.

A long time ago I worked on an assembly line with a machine that made thermoses. Whenever the machine broke down we called a tech to get it going again.  These techs were not seen until something went wrong.  Most were men and women who worked with the machine as I was then doing. They did not create the machine or design it.  They gained an understanding of how it worked and with a little mechanical training they were able to wait in a quiet place until a machine failed. They didn’t want to be president of the company; they just wanted to keep things moving, making thermoses. They stood by with their tool boxes and oil cans ready when needed.

I believe the point that Jesus is really making is for us not to want to be Jesus. But rather, just keep good works happening.  We serve those who are doing the hard work of loving and helping neighbors without boasting about it.  We must learn to live lives of not being great but being ready when called upon.  And when called, we come with our Christian experience which is our tool box of Christian Education, and our oil can of compassion, with which we help bring others back on line. It is in this way that we are co-sustainers with the Great Creator.

“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.  

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

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

Readings for Thanksgiving Day: Year B

Joel 2:21 to 27; Psalm 126; 1^st  Timothy 2:1 to 7; Matthew 6:25 to 33:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 31 to 33 NRSV)

While some other translations use the word “anxious” to describe the emotion around not having, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible uses the word worry. I think it fits with regard to the level of concern we devote to what we don’t have. We forget about what we do have and also we forget to give thanks for what we have.

I believe everyday should be a day of Thanksgiving. For everyday is a gift. Maybe the only thing worth worrying about is a shortage of days. But right living will keep us prepared for the Day that our Lord receives us into that eternal kingdom, that place of forever peace.  There will be no worries there.

Our Lord Jesus says that worrying is what the Gentiles do.  Gentiles mean Nations, or people other than Israelites.  For us who are on the Christian path of the God movement, the Gentiles mean the rest of the world and their self-serving pursuits.  It could be food, clothing, cars, houses, phones, electronics, fame, or just plain wealth.  All of these are temporal.  I once told someone that the only value gold has is that others lust after it.  If nobody wanted it, it would have no value.

Our eternal souls are valued by God.  God wants us to be among the heavenly court when we transition from this place.  While we are here, God is aware of both our deeds and needs.  And, according to our Lord Jesus, God will make sure we have what we need. And for God’s love and attention we ought to be truly thankful.

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 Proper 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening, Psalm 128, 129 and 130;
Obadiah 15 to 21; 1^st Peter 2:1 to 10; Matthew 19:23 to 30:

“Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1^st Peter 2:4 and 5)

I don’t agree with all of Peter’s thinking but the words from this passage I really like.  We are living spiritual stones. Peter shows a difference between those of us who believe in God and God’s love as made manifest through our Lord Jesus, and those who don’t. The latter tend to lose sight of the sacredness of human life.  As believers we are chosen and precious in God’s sight. It seems the more we reflect and ponder about the mystery and majesty of God, and being thankful for it, the more we are rejected by the ever diminishing norms of our mortal society.

As I write this we are reeling from yet another senseless mass killing. This time it took place at a Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Why? Why do people do evil deeds?  What didn’t happen in such a person’s life that would have made him be a better person?  However, let me say that bad things happening to a person, or good things not happening, is no excuse for bad behavior.

Time spent in prayer and giving Thanks to God for the fact that we exist, and the lives of those we love, will go up as spiritual sacrifices to God and are acceptable through our Savior Jesus Christ. This Thanksgiving, those of us who believe in the love of God and live a life of love, have so much to be thankful for. So do those who don’t believe but they don’t know it.

 I am so sorry for the untimely deaths and lives taken through evil acts.  My heart and prayers go out to the families and loved ones who are grieved by sinful acts. All of us have a responsibility to watch each other.  There is no one out there who is not our business. The path to a holy priesthood is paved through accountability. This accountability is true for us and for our neighbors. We are in fact our brother’s and sister’s keeper. We must hold ourselves in prayer asking God for hints at how we can improve the way we live together and value life, all life. 

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 Proper 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 121, 122, and 123; Evening,  Psalm 124, 125, and 126;
Nahum 1:1 to 13; 1 Peter 1:13 to 25; Matthew 19:13 to 22:

“If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile.” (1^st Peter 1:17)

There are two meaningful words in the above words from Saint Peter; deeds and exile. 

It seems there is a certain amount of judgment for us in the next life based on our deeds. I note the absence of what we believe religiously.  The charitable deeds we do in life remind me of the feeding, clothing, and visiting of the sheep in Matthew 25 as they are separated from the goats. Regardless of what we believe or don’t believe, we need to be good for goodness sake.

I am also reminded that here on earth we are in exile. We have a Father in that heavenly realm who watches how we are living while we are here. We are not meant to live here for all eternity. We are citizens of heaven. 

We have been taught by our Savior to love and worship God Almighty and no one else, or nothing else.  Peter says of Jesus, “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). With our faith and hope set on God we learn to love one another and to do good deeds whenever, and wherever we can, while here in our exile.

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 Proper 29: Year 1

Psalm 106:1to 18; Evening, Psalm 106:19 to 48
Joel 3:1-2,9-17; 1 Peter 1:1-12; Matthew 19:1to 12

“His disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But he said to them, ‘Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given” (Matthew 19:10 and 11).

There are many people who perhaps should not marry, both men and women. Jesus himself did not marry. There is a lot of societal pressure exerted on us to get married but once we do, that same pressure is not there to help us maintain our marital relationships. 

Too many young men and women are not aware of the option of monastic or, religious life – a life dedicated to the service of the Lord. It would be wonderful if brothers and sisters from monasteries and convents could have their turn in high schools and universities explaining the monastic way of life.  How many young people would accept a call to this vocation rather than the military, or college, or work and marriage, or gang involvement and incarceration or perhaps too early a death?

As our Lord Jesus says, only those to whom it is given can accept such a vocation. I believe that we should make available to our young folk every possible way of honorable life, including and also beyond marriage, as they may have been given such a call. Life is not one size fits all. And our communities need the variety of all sorts of dedicated discernments.

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

New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday, Christ the King Sunday: Year B

Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37

“Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” (John 18:35)

We can learn so much from the words of Pontius Pilate.  In our NRSV translation of John 18:35 above, we have the words “your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me.”  In the NIV translation we have, “it was your own people and your chief priests who handed you over to me.” While this might sound the same, I have to side with the NIV because the Jewish people were not then, nor now, a nation; Israel is a nation. They were and, are Israel, believers of One God who struggles with God as their father Jacob did and was so named when he wrestled with God after sending his family before him to safety: (Genesis 38:24 to 30).

So when Pilate says to Jesus, “I am not a Jew, am I?” He is correct. But I believe the NIV is closer to the truth with its wording of “your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me.”  Judas was one of Jesus’” own people.”  He was not a nation, but a member of the twelve and he was a Jew. You and I are Jesus’ own people. So, do we hand our Lord Jesus over again to be crucified? Do we disown him as did Peter and Judas did? We too struggle with God.  We too are Israel. We too are Jews, like it or not. Pilate says “your own people handed you over to me.” Are we the people of Jesus or not?

“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”  I must remind us now that no matter the translation, the term “the Jews,” really meant the Temple authorities. For you see, Jesus and the twelve, were all Jews. So there must be some distinction between the followers of Jesus and the Temple Authorities, the scribes and the Pharisees. And while the Temple Authorities did stir up crowds of anti-Jesus Jews, the term “the Jews” is used too broad; and at the same time, too narrow as it does not include Jesus’ own.

Let us not get caught up on the name given to us One-Goders of today?  There is a lot we must get over.  What we Christians really want is the truth.  To this Jesus says to Pilate, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice:” (John 18:37).  If our Eucharistic Lectionary had gone one verse further for today we would have what the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, (the Most Reverend Rowan Williams), called “the most profound question in the whole of the New Testament; which comes from the lips of Pontius Pilate; “What is truth?

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