Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalm 119:49 to 72; PM Psalm 49:
Isaiah 49:1 to 12; Galatians 2:11 to 21; Mark 6:13 to 29

“We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.”  (Galatians 2:15 and 16)

This is where I fall out with Paul.  His language is tainted with a bias against non-Jews, even though he proclaims taking the Gospel to the Gentiles is his God-given call. Additionally, he apparently does not care for Peter and makes it known as publically as he can. How Christ-like is that? 

So for me, there are three things here to choose from. There is our biological make-up; there is the works we can do, that is, what we can achieve for ourselves; and, there is faith, pure and simple.

Insofar as genetics are concerned John the Baptist makes it very clear when many Pharisees and Sadducees came to him for Baptism. He must have felt their Abrahamic ancestral arrogance and he said to them, “Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” (Matthew 3:9)  God made all people, and all people are precious in God’s sight.

What we achieve, from theological understanding to market place commerce, can, if we are not careful, do us more harm than good. Paul himself as well as many religious zealots (of all faiths) have done horrible things in the Name of God. God works from love and charity. Any violent act to another human, with the possible exception of the defense of self and community, is sinful in God’s sight. As far as commerce is concerned, we would do well to remember the story of the rich young man (Mathew 19), or the rich ruler (Luke 18). The wealthy person asked about entering the kingdom of heaven.  Jesus told him that putting a check in each block of the law won’t do it if one’s heart is not charitable. He said further, sell what you have and give to the poor. And most importantly, Jesus invites him to “come and follow me.”  We could have had his name had he let go of his ego an accepted the invitation into the kingdom when invited.

Neither ancestry nor personal achievements will gain us any advancement towards God if we are not faithful to God. This faith must be love based and charitable. We all know the stories handed down through the prophets and saints. All we have to do is listen and heed.

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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalm 45; PM Psalms 47and 48;
Isaiah 48:12 to 21; Galatians 1:18 to 2:10; Mark 6:1 to 13

“Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the Churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, ‘The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.’  And they glorified God because of me.” (Galatians 1:21 to 24)

This is how Saul, now Paul, was identified. He was basically called, “the one who changed!”  Change can be good.  It is good if we evolve. Change is good if we get better, if we grow in good ways.

In my own personal life I have evolved in terms of what I believe about God, and about humanity. I have moved from believing God is some kind of anorexic Santa Clause sitting on a throne looking for places to deal out wrath.  I now believe that God is the Holy Spiritual presence that is continuously creating the universe and dwells within the same creation in love and kindness. I believe that God holds humanity in a special way and was pleased to dwell among us as one of us in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

About humanity, I believe we are all loved equally by God.  I believe we are doing ourselves a disservice by separating ourselves with the artificial categories of race, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, and language. These separations are silliness and sinful.

I have not always felt this way. I have evolved. I have been like Nicodemus who in the darkness of his mind came to see, and talk with, our Lord Jesus, and was changed forever (John chapter 3). Like Saul to Paul, I have had to let go of my old silliness and sinfulness and receive what God wants me to understand. I was filled with what my elders wanted me to think.

It is when we take some time to ourselves and ponder, that God visits us and gives us new insight into God’s divine relationship with us – a relationship in which we all belong to God and to one another, and one in which we all may grow and evolve.

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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalms 41 and 52; PM Psalm 44;
Isaiah 48:1 to 11; Galatians  1:1 to 17; Mark 5:21 to 43;

“For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1: 11 and 12)

Today is the day we remember the Conversion of Saint Paul.  And while there are readings for his Conversion, the regular Daily Office Reading from Galatians works just as well.

But first, let us ponder about Paul’s acknowledgment that his understanding of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus did not come from human origin or was taught to him. 

He received the Gospel through a revelation of Jesus Christ. I like calling this revelation a “Glimmer of Grace.”  This is the same way that the Apostle John received his revelation in which he told about and was later put to print; The Revelation of Jesus Christ to John” or just plain “Revelation,” the last recorded book in our Christian Bible. Many readers either don’t understand this book or just don’t like it.  I have read where Martin Luther, Theologian (1546), thought the book ought to be excluded. However, it was not.

Revelation from God in Christ Jesus is invaluable. Such revelation opens our minds far beyond anything we could learn on our own.

Such revelation was shared with Saul/Paul as he was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and bring them captive back to Jerusalem. The Risen and Spiritual Jesus revealed to Paul his new ministry. This was Paul’s Conversion.

We too can have a conversion revelation. It will perhaps not be as dramatic as Paul’s was but life-changing none the less. All we need do is be attentive to our Lord Jesus moving in our lives. It might be good to have a positive attitude.  Try to do what you believe is the right thing. This is what Paul was doing although he was misguided. So, our Lord Jesus straightened him out and adjusted his path. Our Lord Jesus will do the same with us too. God sends people to us all the time with messages that even they are not aware of. You should be especially curious if you realize the same message coming to you three times in a short period of time. If you see the bush burning, go and check it out. God needs you and wants to co-create with you. You too will receive a Glimmer of Grace.

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

Part 1 of 2

Daily Office Readings for Sunday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalms 63:1 to 8 and 98; PM Psalm 103:
Isaiah  47:1 to 15; Hebrews 10:19 to 31; and John 5:2 to 18

“Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, ‘It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.’ But he answered them, ‘The man who made me well said to me, “Take up your mat and walk.” (John 5: 8 to 11)

Today is Sunday.  I have just come off of our Holy Sabbath (Last nijght). And while I now honor the true Sabbath, I still recognize our Lord Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath and therefore rules all of our times; Sabbath or not. I also still hold Sunday as our Christian worship day. The Sabbath is given to us by God, not us to the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a gift from God for us to have a time of peace and reflection. But we must do good works when it is called for. Jesus makes it possible for the man crippled for 38 years (and me in the dark for 72 years) able to properly enjoy the Sabbath. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Part 2 of 2

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year B

Jonah 3:1 to 5and 10: Psalm 62:6 to14; 1^st  Corinthians 7:29 to 31;  Mark 1:14 to 20

 “As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen.” (Mark 1:16)

I fill so affirmed when another priest (especially a bishop) articulates the same feelings that I have felt about something biblical. After visiting the Holy Land in February of 2018, I have said that the Sea of Galilee is a lake.  And now from the Forward Day by Day for January 22^nd, Bishop Greg Rickel says the same thing! “The first time I saw the Sea of Galilee with my own eyes, I remember thinking, “this is nothing more than a big lake!”  Thank you Bishop

In my own research I have found that Lake Galilee is the lowest level freshwater lake on the planet.  I ponder about this as an attraction for God in God’s mission for the salvation of humanity.  Our Lord being baptized in the runoff of this lake in the Jordan River, the water then being filled with the sins of those cleansed, arrives in what we now call the “Dead Sea.”  Baptism works!

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalms 30 and 32; PM Psalms 42 and 43:
Isaiah 46:1 to 13; Ephesians 6:10 to 24; Mark 5:1 to 20

“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Personally, I have always had a problem believing in evil spirits.  They are present in the man living among the tombs in our Gospel reading from Mark today.  I fully accept the good Spirit of God but question the possibility of an evil spirit.  I don’t know why.

It might be my limited understanding of psychology.  I think the way people think about life has a lot to do with how they behave in life. What we believe shapes how we live.  I also believe that all of us have some degree of mental illness and thus we need each other. And collectively, we all need our Lord Jesus whom I believe has no mental illness at all.

For me, praying in the Spirit, as Paul suggests, connects me with my Lord Jesus and all the saints, past and present. We all need help. It is a form of arrogance to assume we don’t.  Maybe the last hurdle for society to overcome is the loving embrace of ourselves, acknowledging our mental challenges and the availability of God’s help.

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

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35;
Isaiah 45:18 to 25; Ephesians 6:1 to 9; Mark 4:35 to 41

“For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!):I Am the Lord, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:18)

The prophet Isaiah records the message from God for us and adds his own editorial in his report, “he is God,” and, “he established it: he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be !inhabited!” 

I believe in God, the maker of heaven and earth, and all that is seen and unseen. So in God creating our inhabitable earth God must have had us in mind well before pulling together our life support system of planets and sun-stars.  We are not accidents! We are “on purpose!  Chaos may have had its time, but organized peace was established for us to reside in. God provided for us through love.

Thank you Isaiah for your message from God, and thank you for your own divine inspired reminder that while chaos existed, we were brought into being in peace. When chaos existed in the flood, Noah and his family were at peace on the ark. When chaos existed with an impending Egyptian onslaught, Moses conducted the Israelites through the water in peace.   When chaos existed at the inn, our Lord Jesus was born in the peace of a stable. I am reminded that the chaos of the cross did not prevent the peace and rest of the Resurrection.

When you are aware of chaos happening, look around, God is making peace very near you. Go then, and be in the peace of God.

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

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalm 37:1 to 18; PM Psalm 37:19 to 42:
Isaiah 45:5 to 17; Ephesians 5:15 to 33; Mark 4:21 to 34:

“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18 to 20)

Full disclosure, I am not on board with everything that Paul says, especially as for as his suggestions about husbands to wives.  As far as we know, Paul was never married.  I feel marriage is an equal partnership.  However, I will not throw the baby out with the bathwater. There is something really good to be learned regarding the psalms and hymns prayed and sung to the Lord.

Hymns and spiritual songs are a part of our rich Church tradition. My two favorites are “Lead Me, Guide Me,” from the hymnal Lift Every Voice and Sing, and “Praise to the Lord,” (hymn number 390) from our 1982 Hymnal.  Lead Me, Guide me is my way of starting my day. “For if God leads me, I cannot stray.”  Even singing this daily, I still fail to follow close enough, I’m human. “Praise to the Lord” is just my happy song.  The melody and words please me.

I invite you to search for and select one or two hymns that sort of mesh with your spiritual self, and then sing them every day. I have heard from somewhere that singing a hymn is praying twice. If you do this, the words will resonate with your soul and strengthen your spiritual connection with God.

While I don’t think Paul was an authority on marriage, and the treatment of women in particular, he definitely shares the love of God in Christ Jesus through his messages of love and instructions for holy living.

 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

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25 to 48;
Isaiah 44:24 to 45:7; Ephesians 5:1 to 14; Mark 4:1 to 20:

Today’s blog is republished from two years ago.

“And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that “they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” (Mark 4:11 – 12)

This is a clue that in order to hear what the Spirit is saying to us through Biblical readings, that we must look deep beneath the surface of the literal text.  Truth was veiled in parable because truth required the work necessary to get the reward.  Those who just scrape the surface attain nothing of real value and could even be misleading or short circuited.  We can’t just grab and go. Sometimes we must soak in the soup for a while to collect all the rich flavors of what’s there.

So, before we go deeper we must believe that there is something hidden beneath the perceived obvious. We also must believe that the treasure is worth the work of going deeper.  I am currently in a cabinet making class led by a craftsman in his 80’s.  He has been making cabinets for more than 50 years. [A note here, I have since completed that class and have a beautiful cabinet for my efforts. Also, our instructor has since passed away.]  This class moves slowly.  There are many small steps that require patience to learn them. Getting in a hurry will cause mistakes and a waste of wood and possibly personal injury.  The fruit of the study and patience is a well made and beautiful cabinet.  Living the Christian life is the same way. To us has been given the secret of the kingdom of God.  We only have to follow the Master Craftsman, Jesus, and we will perceive, understand, and turn and be forgiven.   Be well.

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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalms 26 and 28; PM Psalms 36 and 39:
Isaiah 44:9 to 20; Ephesians 4:17 to 32; Mark 3:19b to 35

“But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3: 29 and 30)

Is our Lord Jesus saying that there is, after all, a limit to forgiveness?  So I look at this state of affairs as, “once we know, we can’t un-know.” Once we have experienced the holy presence of God, in Christ Jesus, or any divine manifestation, we move to certain knowledge beyond belief.

One of my friends in my Cursillo Reunion Group shared a quote from Richard Rohr, (American author, spiritual writer, and Franciscan friar based in Albuquerque, New Mexico), who said that he no longer believes in Jesus because he now “knows” Jesus. We often get confused about what we know and what we believe.  A few weeks ago a young woman in New York City “knew” a certain young man took her cell phone.  As it turned out, she left her phone in a car and the driver returned it later.  My point is that sometimes what we think we know, in reality, we only believe. At one point we believed the earth was flat, now we know it’s round.  We all really need to figure out a way to discern what we believe from what we know.

I find it somewhat spooky that our readings for today reference the requirement for respect for the Holy Spirit of God.  From our Gospel according to Mark, and our Ephesians’ reading for today, we are cautioned not to blaspheme or grieve the Holy Spirit.  To blaspheme is to curse or profane someone or something.  I think it is one thing to blaspheme what we think we believe. However, when God has blessed us with a glimmer of grace to the point that we know, that is, we actually experience the Holy, to then turn against such an experience is unforgivable. This is what I think our Lord Jesus meant.

As humanity, we are created in the Spiritual Image of our Creator.  For Christians, at baptism, we are marked as Christ’s own forever!  Therefore, as Paul writes to the Ephesians, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4: 30)

I have learned from the Gospel of John that God is, in fact, Spirit. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) So what is truth? The earth is round, not flat, that is a truth.  Even Pontius Pilate asked our Lord Jesus, what is truth? (John 18:38)  So here is truth: God is, and God loves us.  This is truth that supersedes belief, and takes us to that heavenly realm of knowing that must never, never, never be denied or blasphemed.

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

Part 1 of 2:

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9 and 15:
Isaiah 44:6 to 8 and 21 to 23; Ephesians 4:1 to 16; Mark 3:7 to 19:

“He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.” (The Message Bible: Ephesians 4: within verses 7 to 13)

I particularly referenced the “Message Bible” for this passage because it affirms my understanding that the Pastor-Teacher gift is one gift that has the twin focal points of pastor and teacher.

To be pastor is to be listener and counselor. It is to be a spiritual guide to those who are seeking a stronger connection to the Almighty.

To be teacher is to be a leader and one who shows the how-to’s of life. It is also one who shows the when-to’s of life. It is the teaching of the proper time for all things.

To be pastor – teacher then, is to be one who listens, counselors and instructs in the methods and circumstances of proper, moral, and godly behavior.

Part 2 of 2

Eucharistic Readings for the Confession of St. Peter: January 18: 
Acts 4:8 to 13;  Psalm 23; 1^st  Peter 5:1 to 4; Matthew 16:13 to 19 

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’  And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:15 to 17)

There are two points here to understand. First, we must deal with who we say Jesus is. We say this by the way we, as Christians, conduct ourselves. Being a follower is more than just saying it.

The other point is that, like Peter, we don’t know Jesus by our own intellect, but rather, it is God’s revelation to us. We don’t figure out God or Jesus. God shares with us as God wills. We just pray and hope. If we persevere, God will touch us.

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