Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Week One of Advent: Year 1

AM Psalms 1, 2, 3; PM Psalms 4 and 7;
Isaiah 1:10 to 20; 1^st  Thessalonians 1:1 to10; Luke 20:1 to 8

“But if we say, “Of human origin”, all the people will stone us; for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”  (Luke 20: 6)

The supposed leaders of the faith, are not sticking to their own professed faith. If we believe in something, anything, we ought to hold on to it as the very core of our existence; at least until we learn better. They are missing such an opportunity.

I don’t know how, but we are able to hear the inmost thoughts of what was going on within the circle of chief priests, elders and scribes, The leaders are afraid of the people who they are in charge of leading. What an opportunity to model correct learning. If they think the people believe that John the Baptist is a prophet, then perhaps they too ought to submit to the gifts of the Baptist. Sometimes, but not often, the people are a better judge of who’s who.

There are times that we should not be influenced by the mob.  However, we should conduct a little informal test as a way to see if God is acting in our midst.  Our Biblical history informs us that when God invites us to do the Lord’s work it often requires sacrifice, will costs us some of our money, our time, and will be out of our comfort zone. But just as much, it will be something that benefits the community without bringing praise or accolades to ourselves. Our God is all about the communion in which we live.  The chief priests, elders and scribes seem to be about themselves at the expense of the community they are suppose to spiritually lead.

Each one of us should look around and see who in our midst seems to be doing the Lord’s good work for the benefit of our community. Who among us are teaching people to read, taking meals to those who are hungry, donating to those in need, and so forth?  They may not be the ordained or political office holders.  Like John the Baptist, they may be people who live on the fringes themselves.  But their ministry is of the Lord’s calling whether we want to admit it or not. Such are the saints of God.  Don’t you want to be one too?

Today we remember Saint Andrew who brought his brother Simon Peter to our Lord Jesus (John 1:35 to 42). This is the scripture upon which the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew was founded. The Brotherhood of Saint Andrew is an Episcopal men’s organization devoted to prayer, study and service.

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 the First Sunday of Advent: Year 1

AM Psalms 146 and 147; PM Psalms  111, 112 and 113;
Isaiah 1:1 to 9; 2 Peter 3:1 to 10; Matthew 25:1to 13:

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.” (2^nd Peter 3:10)

Welcome to the Church’s New Year!  This is now Year One of the Year 2021.  This is Advent.  We are reminded to be expecting the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Saint Peter.

Part 2 of 2

Eucharistic Readings for the First Sunday of Advent: Year B

Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37

“Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13: 35 to 37)

To find us sleeping is the same as finding us complacent. Heaven forbid that when our Lord Jesus actually comes and we are acting as if we didn’t know such a thing could happen. The truth is, we believe or we don’t believe.  There is no “I’ll hedge my bets.”  We must fully buy in, or be willing to face the consequences of our disbelief.

What all this means is, that we must live our lives every day, as if it is the last day.   This is probably harder for me than most of you.  I am amazed at how often Sunday comes around.  Another week has passed.  Time flies. Writing these blogs makes me very aware of how fast time is moving. I get mixed up about what day it is.  But sense I have to date each blog, and do two parts for Sundays, I am quickly made aware of another week has passed. 

Jesus has not come in a universal way yet.  But who knows?  At midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, He may appear!  Are you ready?  I’m not, at least not yet.  I’m struggling. But I’m trying. How about you? “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

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 Proper 29: Year 2

AM Psalm 137 and 144 ; PM Psalm 104;
Zechariah 14:12 to 21; Philippians 2:1 to11; Luke 19:41 to 48;

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5 to 8)

If our Lord Jesus, being God Incarnate, was able to humble himself to be a servant (same word as slave in the Greek), then we, normal humans, ought to be able to at least have no illusions about any pretentious greatness we might think we have.  And having no grandiose thoughts of self-righteousness ought to practice all humility all the time.

Humility is a funny thing.  If we ever boast about it, it’s gone. We Christians must practice working in the background, out of sight, but in the faith.  We do not bring attention to ourselves.  We do the Lord’s work quietly. Our Lord Jesus, with all the power of Almighty God, restrained himself and worked in servitude for the benefit of his people. He even allowed himself to be handled and killed by the people he loved.

Full disclosure, I have sometimes insisted on being recognized or remembered for my participation in something when I thought my friends overlooked my involvement. Later, after reflection, I was ashamed of my insistence to be remembered.  So I came up with the idea of the humility of invisibility.  I’m still a work in progress but now it pretty much doesn’t bother me to not be remembered.

Our Lord Jesus had a huge job in trying to appear less than he was given that He was Everything!  For me, appearing less than I am is not such a hard job. I’m not that much.  But if we are to have the same mind in us that was in Christ Jesus we should strive to be the hidden help that people need.  And then, don’t remind or tell anybody.

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 Proper 29: Year 2

AM Psalms 140 and 142; PM Psalms 141 and 143:1-11(12);
Zechariah 14:1 to 11; Romans 15:7 to 13; Luke 19:28 to 40;

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15: 13)

I love this verse of Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome.  It is an optional dismissal for Evening Prayer on page 76 in the Book of Common Prayer.  I like it because it really explains the Christian hope.

We hope for what God can do for us, and while such a hope is not seen, it is understood that it will be better than we can ask or imagine.  Paul said in Chapter 8 of this letter to the Romans, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?” (Romans 8:15)  Moses did not know what God was going to do when the Israelites were positioned against the sea and Egyptians were coming down on them. They had unseen hope, or at least Moses did. 

Another biblical example of hope unseen comes from Second Kings where Elisha instructs Naaman to wash in a certain way and in a certain place. Elisha did not come to personally see Naaman but rather sent out his servant to tell him what to do.  Naaman was incensed. “ But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy” (2^nd Kings 5:11).  In the end Naaman did what he was told and was healed.  But the point I am trying to make is that we cannot have it in our head how, or what, God is going to do, or even who God is going to do it through.  Our hope must be wide open and unconditional.

Unseen hope is the only real hope.  We must trust God and just hope for God’s will for us to be done. And we must hope in patience. God is not pressured by time. Paul says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:25)

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we must never give up on hope. We can’t describe what the other side of hope looks like because we are not there yet. But we should literally hope for the best. And then, just leave it to God who always makes the best decision for us because God really does love 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

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 29: Year 2

AM Psalms 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalms 134, 135;
Zechariah 13:1 to 9; Ephesians 1:15 to 23; Luke 19:11 to 27

“I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1: 16)

Of these readings for a normal Thursday I thought how fitting for the thankfulness of this verse.  Today is Thanksgiving Day.  These words express being thankful, specifically for people in our lives.  This is a good point.  The thanks still goes to God, but it is being thankful for people God has brought to us or put in our path.  Sometimes we don’t see the blessing right away.  But they are in our lives for a reason. Many people come to me and asks to be remembered in my prayers.  And I do pray for them. I ponder about any irritation I might experience from some people but still I hold them in my prayers.  Sometimes my prayers come in the form of a question to God.  I ask God, “What grace are you sending me through this person?”  I am shown. And when shown, I give thanks to God.

Daily Office Readings for Thanksgiving Day

AM Psalm 147; Deuteronomy 26:1 to 11; John 6:26 to 35;
PM: Psalm 145; Joel 2:21 to 27; 1 Thessalonians 5:12 to 24;

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.” (Joel 2: 26)

Joel 2: 21 to 27 appears in both, our Daily Office Readings, and the Eucharistic Readings for Thanksgiving Day. Perhaps this happens because of the invitation to, “eat in plenty and be satisfied,” words.  However, the words that follow are even more important; “and praise the name of the Lord your God.”  I once had a bumper sticker which read, “Don’t criticize the farmer with your mouth full.”  The same holds true for God. If we are eating anything we should give thanks to God.  I once was sharing lunch with a mother and her child.  The young man was accustomed to me saying the blessing before eating.  At one lunch we started with milk shakes.  The child waited and was disappointed when I slurped some of my shake before saying the blessing.  When his mother informed me about this I was really taken aback. But I learned and now blessings come before anything at all going into my mouth.  I learned from that child to really praise the name of the Lord without fail; not just Thanksgiving Day, but every day, no matter how small the food item might seem.  The young folks are watching us and I am thankful for God speaking to me through them. A blessed milkshake is also plenty and satisfying.  Happy Thanksgiving!

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 Proper 29: Year 2

AM Psalm 119:145-176; PM Psalms 128, 129, 130;
Zechariah  12:1to10; Ephesians  1:3to14; Luke 19:1to10; 

“He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature.” (Luke 19:3)

I am aware that Luke is speaking of a physical “short in statue.”  But many of us strive to see who Jesus really is.  But we are short in faith. Too many of us refuse to just believe.

Also, too often the direction of the crowd prevents us from seeing who Jesus is.  We tend to wrongly get on board with a crowd moving in an un-Jesus-like manner.  When ill-willed charismatic influencers take hold of the lead, we too easily tend to follow and go down roads that our Lord Jesus would never travel.

In this story Jesus, without giving any clues that he was aware of Zacchaeus in the tree, stopped just below him and looked up and invited himself to supper with him.  ( I use this example as a way of inviting myself to a parishioner’s home for dinner.  No, just kidding.)  But Jesus was aware of Zacchaeus in the tree and met him “where he was.”

In just seeing Jesus, Zacchaeus repented and made right all the wrongs he had committed. Now Zacchaeus was a “Chief” Tax Collector.  Being a tax collector was bad enough, but a chief tax collector was even further removed from any welcome to the Temple and seen as a Roman sympathizer. 

But after hearing him explain his forgiveness and giving back to any he had wronged, Jesus proclaims that Zacchaeus too, is a child to Abraham, which pre-empts and supersedes the Temple and all it stands for.  Jesus has put Zacchaeus back in the household of God.  And, Jesus does not hold his wealth against him. Zacchaeus is still a chief tax collector, and is still rich, but now he is a believer in our Lord Jesus.

Sometimes we are too spiritually short to see Jesus.  We must climb into the pews of a church in order to see him.  If we do, He will self-invite himself into our homes and our hearts.  And when he does, we will be changed forever and made children to Abraham. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we also remember James Otis Sargent Huntington, (1935); he was priest and monk.

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 Proper 29: Year 2

AM Psalms [120], 121, 122, 123; PM Psalms 124, 125, 126, [127];
Zechariah 11:4to17; 1 Corinthians 3:10to23; Luke 18:31to43

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)

This is what Christian faith is all about: that is, our final, and forever passage into the house of the Lord.  We long to hear the words, “Come beloved of the Lord, and enter into the joy of your Lord as expressed in the words of the twenty fifth chapter of Matthew, where servants worked to improve on the talents left to them by their master, save the one who only had one talent and buried it. Also in chapter twenty five of Matthew, the invitation extends to those who were placed on the right-hand side of the Lord because they cared for the hungry, the naked, the infirmed and those in prison.

As I have said before, I have been blessed to be present in hospital rooms when a parishioner or other patient was dying.  At some point, the person, who was unconscious, will open their eyes and stare at a space in the room where no one was sanding.  In most cases, an expression of joy or wonder is reflected on the dying person’s face.  It is at this point that I believe the gates of heaven opened in that hospital room, even though I could not see it, nor could anyone else in the room see it.  And at that point, the invitation is extended to dying person to come into the house of the Lord.  Perhaps these are the very words that the dying says to him or her self, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

I know that I would be glad to enter into the house of the Lord.  Many people, when asked how they are doing, will answer, “Well, I’m above ground and I’m still here.”  The implication is, that they are doing well and consider this earthly life as the best there is.  But I ponder what the afterlife is like.  Maybe being here in this life is not something to celebrate so much, but rather, it is the Christian work that we should be doing. It is using the talents – gifts, that God has given us to the best of our abilities for the building up of the church, and teaching the love that God wants to be in every heart. This is the time to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the infirmed and imprisoned; thus preparing ourselves for that invitation into the house of the Lord.

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 Proper 29: Year 2

AM Psalm 106:1to18; PM Psalm 106:19to48:
Zechariah 10:1to12; Galatians 6:1to10; Luke 18:15to30

“My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” (Galatians 6:1)

Each and every one of us are in need of forgiveness.  And God, in God’s all knowing wisdom, has given each of us the Spirit to restore a neighbor who, having been found in transgression, the power to restore a brother or sister, back into the fold.

I need it, you, reading this message, also need it. None of us are beyond needing restoration.  God made us this way on purpose. This is why our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Sometimes those who sin against us do not ask for forgiveness.  This can be for one of two reasons. First, maybe they are in a bad place and were intentional about what they have done to you. Second, perhaps they didn’t realize that they have actually sinned against you.  I’ve experienced both.  In these situations I like to use the word “pardon.”  I can pardon a person without them even knowing it. When I pardon someone I can move on with my life and not sit and simmer about an insult or injury. 

While I am not opposed to informing someone that they have offended me, (in case they didn’t know it), I do not believe in asking someone for an apology.  I feel that once they are made aware that I felt hurt by something that they have said or done, (or not done), it’s up to their conscience as to what follows. Sadly, I have even seen whole countries insist on an apology from another country for some sad misdeed perpetrated on it.  I think, be it a country or a person, once the sin or any kind of violence has been made known, the apology should be forth coming and in all sincerity.

Once a transgression has been detected, you and I have been given the Spirit that will restore us all to a spirit of love and gentleness with one another.  All we have to do is use it and be thankful.

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 Proper 29: Year 2

AM Psalm 118; PM Psalm 145:
Zechariah 9:9to16; 1 Peter 3:13to 22; Matthew 21:1to13:

“Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  (Matthew 21:5)

I could not help but to use this verse given that today is Christ the King Sunday.  Jesus borrows these words from Zechariah 9:9, which is also part of our reading for today. Matthew has Jesus bring these words back to our memory in true Matthew form as the evangelist wants to show that our Lord Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law, the Prophets and the scriptures.  Indeed, my beloved of the Lord, our King, is coming.

Part 2 of 2

New Testament Readings for Christ the King Sunday: Year A

Ephesians 1:15-23;  Matthew 25:31-46:

“Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34)

Again, the “king” language is used.  So, I use it too.  We, Americans fought a war to rid ourselves of being under a king.  Therefore, we probably have negative feelings about being under a king, even today.  But I would call our attention to the kind of kingdom God is calling us to.

 It is a kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world. It is a kingdom of rest and peace.  It is a kingdom of “no more tears.”  Right now we live in a world of both sheep and goats; of wheat and chaff. But at the Resurrection, there will be a great separation.  Those who have self-identified as sheep by a life of self-denial, (not just for the sake of self-denial, but), in order to serve others, will be placed on the right side of God Almighty, which is where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ resides.  It will be a wonderful place with a never ending table of nourishment and comfort. Let those who have ears listen, learn; love and live.

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 Proper 28: Year 2

AM Psalm 107:33to43 and 108; PM Psalm 33;
Malachi 3:13to4:6; James 5:13to20; Luke 18:9to14

 “But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)

I had to mail something to Raleigh yesterday that was very important to me. So I went to a local post office to make sure if was correct.  Raleigh being the capital of North Carolina and all, I wanted to make sure my U.S. mail was properly sent by a method of tracking.

So I approached the postal clerks with all humility.  And when I heard the next customer called to the next available clerk, I went to the clerk in that same humility.  I actually said, “I need mercy and patience to help me properly mail this package.” The clerk smiled and told me what I needed to do, and after I misprinted the “to” and “from” spaces, she just smiled again and helped me straighten it out.  I could not have moved on in any sense of accomplishment had it not been for the wonderful and compassionate postal worker.

I know that many people approach sales reps and clerks with arrogance and a sense of superiority. They like saying who they are and what they have accomplished, sort of like the Pharisee in our Luke reading for today; but not me.  I knew that if I was going to get anywhere close to what I wanted, it was going to be at the mercy of the postal clerk whom I stood in front of.

So too it is with eternal salvation.  We must ask God to be merciful to us, a sinner. And pray God saves us so that we may return to our homes justified. Justification, in my postal experience, was made manifest in going back to my home with routing numbers and a tracking code on the web.

Arrogance and self promotion has no place in God’s Kingdom.  We must follow the tax collector’s lead in doing the will 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