Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings or Tuesday after the 7^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Psalm 97, 99, [100]; Psalm 94, [95] 1 Sam. 16:1-13a; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 8:18-27

I’m going to stray from our Daily Office Readings for today to reflect on a pivotal point in our Episcopal Church History.

Everything for today is taken from the “Great Cloud of Witnesses (GCW) for May 25, 26 and 27 and is about Venerable Bede, Augustine of Canterbury and Ethelbert and Bertha.

Bede wrote about himself  about his time the monastery in Jarrow near Durham, England, “spending all the remaining time of my life . . . I wholly applied myself to the study of Scripture, and amidst the observance of regular discipline, and the daily care of singing in the church, I always took delight in learning, teaching, and writing.”  “His most famous work, the Ecclesiastical History of England, written in Latin, remains the primary source for the period 597 to 731, when Anglo-Saxon culture developed and Christianity triumphed. In this work, Bede was clearly ahead of his time. He consulted many documents, carefully evaluated their reliability, and cited his sources. His interpretations were balanced and judicious. He also wrote The Lives of the Holy Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow, and a notable biography of Cuthbert, both in prose and verse.” (GCW May 25)

“Although Christianity had existed in Britain before the invasions of Angles and Saxons in the fifth century, Pope Gregory the Great decided in 596 to send a mission to the pagan Anglo-Saxons. He selected, from his own monastery on the Coelian hill in Rome, a group of monks, led by their prior, Augustine. They arrived in Kent in 597, carrying a silver cross and an image of Jesus Christ painted on a board, which thus became, so far as we know, “Canterbury’s first icon.” King Ethelbert tolerated their presence and allowed them the use of an old church built on the east side of Canterbury, dating from the Roman occupation of Britain. Here, says the Venerable Bede, they assembled “to sing the psalms, to pray, to say Mass, to preach, and to baptize.” This church of St. Martin is the earliest place of Christian worship in England still in use.  Probably in 601, Ethelbert was converted, thus becoming the first Christian king in England. About the same time, Augustine was ordained bishop somewhere in France and named “Archbishop of the English Nation.” Thus, the see of Canterbury and its Cathedral Church of Christ owe their establishment to Augustine’s mission, as does the nearby Abbey of SS. Peter and Paul, later re-named for Augustine.” (GCW May 26)

“Ethelbert succeeded his father as Saxon king of Kent in 560. He was, according to the Venerable Bede, a fair ruler and the first English king to promulgate a code of law. Brisk cross-channel trade with France exposed Ethelbert to Roman customs and luxuries. His admiration for the Frankish ways led him to marry a French Christian princess, Bertha. Although not a Christian himself, Ethelbert promised Bertha’s father that she could practice her faith.  Good to his word, he welcomed her chaplain and granted him an old Christian mausoleum to convert into the Church of St. Martin, which still stands today. In 597, the Roman mission to England under Augustine arrived. When he first heard the gospel, Ethelbert was cautious and unconvinced. However, his fair-mindedness and hospitality were evident in his welcome to Augustine: “The words and promises you bring are fair enough, but because they are new to us and doubtful, I cannot accept them and forsake those beliefs which I and the whole English race have held so long. But as you have come on a long pilgrimage and are anxious, I perceive, to share with us things which you believe are true and good, we do not wish to do you harm; on the contrary, we receive you hospitably and provide what is necessary for your support; nor do we forbid you to win all you can to your faith and religion by your preaching.”  The following Pentecost, Ethelbert was baptized, becoming the first Christian king in England. Though he helped the missionaries and founded cathedrals and churches throughout southeastern England, including Canterbury Cathedral, he never coerced his people, or even his children, into conversion. Bertha’s kind and charitable nature and Ethelbert’s respect for law and the dignity of individual conscience represent, to this day, some of the best of the English Christian spirit. (GCW May 27)

All of the above was taken from the Great Cloud of Witnesses for May 25, 26 and 27.

I can see the hand of God in the events that took place with Bede, Augustine of Canterbury and Ethelbert and Bertha. About a thousand years later the Church of England separates itself from the Roman Church and expands to the Colonies and after a bitter Revolution the Episcopal Church was formed from these beginnings.  Yes, I see God at work in all these acts.  But guess what?  God is not done yet!

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 the Monday after the 7^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Psalm 89:1-18: Psalm 89:19-52; Joshua 1:1-9; Eph. 3:1-13; Matt. 8:5-17

“When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”  (Matthew 8: 5 – 8)

A believing Roman commander (centurion) approaches our Lord Jesus for help.  In as much as he is asking Jesus for healing for his servant (whom he must truly love) this is intercessory prayer. I know people who took their sick child to Europe for healing, healing that was not offered in the U. S. My point here is that we tend to drop boundaries when it comes to the lives of those we love. This centurion is a believer.  He has already accepted God in place of the many gods of Rome and has now heard about the healing power of the man called Jesus. He is desperate.  He has nothing to lose.  Jesus senses the anxiety of the centurion and says ‘yes’ to the request

The commander shows a deeper faith in the power of Jesus.  When Jesus offers come to his house the centurion shows that he has an understanding of the kind of power that Jesus has. He didn’t have to see it being done to witness it.  He just needed Jesus to say ‘yes.’

There are more healing stories in this assigned reading for today; Peter’s mother in law was healed; and Jesus cast out demons and performed more healings in and around Capernaum.

The take-away for me (and maybe you also) is that our Lord Jesus seems to be as moved by the anxiety of those asking, as he is for the person in trouble in our intercessory prayers, maybe even more.  Jesus says in John’s Gospel, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God, Believe also in me.” (John 14:1)  I say often that God’s ears hears tears.  I am now seeing also that a troubled heart attracts our Lord Jesus. Maybe we can take a page from the centurion’s playbook and take our concerns to Jesus and know that we don’t have to physically see Jesus follow us.  We will see healing in Jesus saying ‘yes.’

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 the Seventh Sunday after Easter: Year A

Acts 1:6-14  Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36  1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11  John 17:1-11

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”  (1 Peter 4:12)

Well St Peter, something strange is happening to us.  I am, this morning preaching with a mask over my face, outside, to whoever will show up.  And we, the parish of St. Paul’s in the Pines Fayetteville, NC, are asking everyone who comes to bring their own seating, to wear masks and oh, by the way, at Holy Communion they will only receive the bread. Yes St. Peter this is a fiery ordeal that is taking place among us.

This is Memorial Day Weekend!  This weekend has been set aside to remember all those men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  Today, this day in 2020, we are also remembering first responders and others who have been putting their lives on the line for the safety of the victims of COVID 19.

St Peter also says in our reading for today, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert.”  (1^st Peter 5: 6 – 8)  None of us saw this coming, including priests, deacons and bishops.  I’m here before my people wearing a mask. I don’t like it.  However, the mask is not just for my protection.  Some of us are asymptomatic carriers of COVID 19 and could pass the virus on to those who have weak immunity. Some of the problems we have had with this virus is that we don’t find out we have it until we have passed it on.  So this mask that I wear is an expression of how much I love you.   

Real love is expressed not in how tough I am about you. Real love for you is expressed in how tough love is.  When we really think about it, love will humble us to our knees. It’s not about being tough at all.  It’s about love, love that humbles us.  So then let us not be surprised about the strange things taking place in our time.  Love is eternal.  We will get through this with grace, humility and love. The Spirit of God speaks to 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 Readngs for Saturday after the 6^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Psalm 87, 90; Psalm 136; Num. 11:16-17,24-29; Eph. 2:11-22; Matt. 7:28-8:4

“For through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)

For through our Lord Jesus, blacks and whites, men and women, gays and straights, rich and poor, nationals and foreigners, republicans and democrats, have access in one Spirit to the Creator.

This access does not mean giving up who we are.  We have a uniting Spirit through our Lord Jesus. “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14) So we are one Spirit group. We look different, we sound different, and we enjoy different foods and music and so on.  But we are all pulled together for living through God.  For God is the One in whom we all live and move and have our being.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone, In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.” (Ephesians 2: 19 – 22)

We are meant to approach one another knowing that we are already united by means of God’s Spirit.  It makes no difference about our language, skin color, religion, or place of origin.  We are all God’s people, we are all spiritual cousins. We should be behaving that way.

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 after the 6^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Psalm 85, 86: Psalm 91, 92; 1 Sam. 2:1-10; Eph. 2:1-10; Matt. 7:22-27

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” (Matthew 7: 24)

There are many people who can recite many good quotes and prayers but often fall short of living by them.  What’s important here is not only to hear these words of Jesus and to memorize them, but to act on them, and to live by them as well.  This is what our Lord Jesus meant by “hear these words of mine and act on them.”

Memorizing creeds, covenants, quotes and prayers and saying them everyday reshapes our personality.  We will become who we preach to be. I have created two five-pointed stars for myself. The first was created in the 80’s and it goes, “Praise God, Love All, Keep Word, Live Plain and Work Hard.  I was still in the Marines when my faith moved me to frame these five points as directions for my life.  Notice that Praise God and Love All are the first two, and are the two Commandments that our Lord Jesus gave us, and that is to Love God and to love our neighbor.

The second star consists of five points that spell out the acronym DRIPP.  This represents Discipline (that I should maintain); Respect (for myself and others); Integrity (honesty in action); Prayer (always, especially Morning and Evening Prayer) and Patience (holy waiting and some quiet and alone time.)

We must hear the words of our Lord Jesus and where necessary frame them in a way that makes sense for us without losing the meanings.  And then we must act or behave in the manner that our treasured words lead us.  Only when we build our lives with a solid foundation will we be “like a wise man who built his house on rock.”  What words or phrases or covenants do you remember and live by?

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 Ascension Day 2020, RCL: Year A

Acts 1:1-11   Psalm 47  or Psalm 93  Ephesians 1:15-23  Luke 24:44-53

“Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

This “opening of their minds” is the action of the Resurrected Jesus.  Jesus spent a lot of time with his followers before he was crucified, preaching and teaching about the scriptures and how the scriptures foretold of his destiny. You can see much of this in chapter 5 of Matthew’s Gospel where he says several times, “You have heard that it was said, …. But I tell you…..”  In this way our Lord Jesus re-interprets the Law.

But now, Jesus goes beyond explanation to revelation. He “opens their minds.”  We have words written in the Bible that have been translated from Aramaic, to Greek, from Greek to Latin, and then for us, from Latin to English. Even this last translation is from old English to modern and American English.  Has anything been lost or misrepresented in this human work? 

How wonderful it would be for us today for Jesus to “open our minds” so that we too can have a better understanding of the scriptures.  I think when we believe that our purpose is to love God and love one another to the best of our ability we will indeed understand all the Law and the writings of the Bible.  And, what we come to understand may even be better than what our old recorders wrote.

I remember readings somewhere in a Jewish fable that someone asked an old teacher of the Torah to explain the Torah while standing on one foot.  The response was, “What is hateful to you, do not do to others.”  That is the whole Torah. It is another way of saying the Golden Rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.”

The only other piece I would like to add about opening our minds is the opening of our hearts. Sometimes the words (heart and mind) are interchangeable. Sometimes they are not.  The heart piece adds in the love component.  Psychologist within the last hundred years have found that the children of loving parents who hugged their children and spent time with them showed higher intellectual ability than the children of distancing parents.  Love matters. Bless those psychologists.  But then, bless our Lord Jesus who told us this over 2000 years ago.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

 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 after the 6^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Psalm 119:97-120; Psalm 81, 82; Lev. 26:27-42; Eph. 1:1-10; Matt. 22:41-46

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”  (Ephesians 1:7 – 10)

These are the opening words to the Church in Ephesus by Paul or someone writing for Paul. The writer, through revelation from God, shares with us that the forgiveness of our sins has been God’s plan from the beginning of our time, to be made manifest in the fullness of our time. This is free grace that is lavished on us from God through the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of whom we partake of at our Holy Communion.

As adopted children of God through our brother Jesus, we are called to continue in the work of gathering all things (all people) to God. I look at us Christians as the care takers of the world, both people and all creation. Hints from Genesis suggest that after the world was made the caretaker creatures (we) were placed onboard to maintain this place.  We are the caretakers.  “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will.”

Our own human selves are not excluded from our own care. Just as charity begins at home, so too does human self-care.  Among the human species, the Christian is like unto a flight attendant.  Flight attendants serve to make the passengers comfortable and safe while on their journey.  Flight attendants are not recruiting more flight attendants.  We Christians also are here to serve all people, Christian and non-Christian alike and not trying to make all people Christian. “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us [Christians] the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things [all people] in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”  This is what I believe the Spirit of God told the writer of the letter to the Church in Ephesus, and this is what I believe the Spirit is saying to us still.

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 after the 6^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Psalm 78:1-39; Psalm 78:40-72 Lev. 26:1-20; 1 Tim. 2:1-6; Matt. 13:18-23

“This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1Timothy 2:3-4)

I know that I am not perfect. I have many flaws and imperfections.  I am so thankful that we have a loving and merciful God and Savior in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of everyone being saved and everyone coming to the knowledge of truth. I think the key word here is “everyone.”

The word needs to get out to everyone that God desires all people to be saved. Contrary to our normal fear of scarcity, heaven does not run out of room. Perhaps the biggest problem we mith have is sharing total freedom and glory with our neighbors, all neighbors. The only thing hindering us from that glory is our personal story. However, once we understand ourselves, knowledge and truth will assure our place in God’s divine plan.

The word needs to get out that God desires everyone to come to the knowledge of truth. Like most of us I was raised with certain prejudices and biases that caused me to not see the inclusive love o God.  As a Christian and with some good Christian education, I have come to, and am still coming to,  the understanding that God, in Christ Jesus, came among us to both know about us and experience what it means to be us first hand.

Being saved and coming to the knowledge of truth is the message our Lord Jesus gave to Paul for Timothy and for us. This message is for all of us to hear. But I think more especially for Christians as we have that calling to model, as our Lord Jesus did, love for all people regardless of who they are or what they think they believe or don’t believe.  There is more than enough room and comfort for all in heaven. Therefore we should be holding dear to us in prayer everyone from the president to the homeless; people of other countries (friend or foe); and people we have been taught not to trust.  All are invited by God to be with God.  We Christians are God’s helpers for all humanity.

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 after the 6^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

Psalm 80; Psalm 77, [79]; Lev. 25:35-55; Col. 1:9-14; Matt. 13:1-16

“He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.  The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.”  With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:
“You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.”  (Matthew 13: 11 – 14

I think that the part that says, “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive,” is that sometimes we are so hard-hearted and set in our own fixations that we literally block out the truth. If we already think we know what the speaker is saying before he or she finishes what they are saying, our hearts are hardened and we don’t get it.  In such a case, “even what we do have will be taken away.” Listening is an underdeveloped art.

Only when we let go of any and all our preconceived ideas can we fully see what our Lord Jesus is doing.  Only when we truly and objectively listen to another person will we discern what is in their heart.  If there has to be a bias, make it of love. I once preached a homily wherein I challenged my listeners to draw a heart with ears.  A few did and the hearts with ears on either side looked pretty good.  I challenge you to do the same.  Regardless of your drawing skills, draw a simple heart and then draw a pair of simple human ears on each side of it.  This represents listing with your heart.

I think Jesus’ surface point is that we hear what we want to hear.  I also think the deeper point is that we should want to hear Good News.  We should listen optimistically as well as lovingly. In this way, even if we don’t understand the message of parable, we will continue to delve deeper until we get it. If we seek, we will find. To their credit the disciples of Jesus stuck with him and followed him and pressed him until they got the parables unraveled.  Maybe their determination for the truth was what they all had in common. Are you determined to be a disciple of Jesus?  If so, listen with the ears of your heart and seek the Truth.

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 the Sixth Sunday of Easter: Year A

Acts 17:22-31    Psalm 66:7-18  1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21

“This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” (John 14:17)

Later in the Gospel of John, Pontius Pilot asked Jesus, “What is Truth.”  Rowan Williams remarked that this was the most profound question in the whole of the New Testament. This former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, a very learned and respected theologian, lifts this question up from the lips of a Roman governor as the most profound question of the New Testament.  The truth is so powerful and yet our Lord Jesus proclaims the truth is part of who he is. He says of himself, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

Jesus promised us the Spirit of Truth. But Jesus also says that sometimes we are not able to hear the truth, that the truth is more than we can bear.  This reminds me of Jack Nicholson in the movie, “A Few Good Men” where he protests, “You can’t handle the truth.”  The Church too has had difficulty handling the truth.

Early in the history the Church we supported idea that the earth was flat. A little later, the church refused to believe that the earth was not the center of the universe and that the earth revolved around the sun.  The Church accepted the false notion that the sun was the little light that rose in the East and sat in the West as God had appointed it. People, early astronomers, who taught differently, were condemned by the Church as heretics. It was hard for the Church to believe the truth that we were not the center of the universe.

What truths are we faced with now that we are not ready for or “can’t handle?”  Do you think that perhaps large crowds are to be no more, ever again? Perhaps protective masks will be expected clothing attire from now on, perhaps even matching our attire and fashionable.

We know our Lord Jesus because he abides with us.  And we know him because he is in us. Jesus also says that he has more to tell us but we aren’t ready yet.  This is 2020.  Perhaps we ought to be getting ready for a major shift in human existence. We need to prepare ourselves for, not only a new normal, but also to receive more truth.

Jesus says it is the Spirit of Truth that we will receive and that we know him because he abides in us. Therefore:

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 

This homily can be seen and heard at: https://youtu.be/QcyP40k_GfQ