Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 25: Year 2

AM Psalm 45; PM Psalms 47 and 48;
Ecclesiasticus 24:1to12; Revelation 11:14to19; Luke 11:27to36

“While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” (Luke 11: 27 and 28)

This verse above sounds like content for praying the Rosary. “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.”  Also, in her words she advocates for the mother’s role in God’s salvation plan. However, as far as blessings go, Jesus points to those of us who hear, and more importantly, obey the will of God.

Jesus was teaching and preaching to the crowds. And, “When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation” (Luke 11: 29 and 30).  Could Jesus be using this old Hebrew story as an analogy about his salvation purpose in our life?  Could our Lord Jesus be saying that just being able to quote a Bible chapter and verse is nothing if we don’t learn from it and live our lives according to its lesson?  I think so.

Jesus will go on to tell them (and us) that, “The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!” (Luke 11: 32)

Jesus walked among us as an example of how to live a loving life in harmony with one another. As I have noticed our Lord Jesus in his travels, other than teaching and preaching, he was healing and feeding.  God, in Christ Jesus, in his human form, was a nurturer. This is not just a role for mothers.  It is not only okay for non-mothers to be considerate and compassionate, it is who God in Christ Jesus wants us to be, men and women, just like the example he set for 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 Monday of Proper 25: Year 2

AM Psalms 41and 52; PM Psalm 44;
Ecclesiasticus 19:4to17; Revelation 11:1to14; Luke 11:14to26

“But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” (Luke 11:15)

Jesus was casting out demons and putting people back in their right minds.  And instead of being thankful, some in the crowds wanted to be critical of the source of Jesus’ ability. It can be disheartening when we struggle to do something good and then are accused of doing the good work for self-serving or self-glorification purposes.  

We are at the height of national politicking in this country.  We are about eight days from elections at every level. I have seen good works from people in both of our major parties. From the presidential office down to the local state representatives, if we really look, we can find some good works that they all do. We can find good works from both the incumbents as well as those desiring to replace them. 

In our faith history, the scriptures, in particular Ezra,  has recorded good works done by two kings of Persia who were not Hebrews but by the power of God, Cyrus and Darius assisted the Hebrew people in the re-establishment of Jerusalem (Ezra, chapters 1 through 6). These kings gained nothing from these godly acts.  But both believed that God Almighty wanted them to do this good work. They did it not for themselves, but because it pleased God.

Our Lord Jesus also informs his critics to understand that God works in mysterious ways. He said to them about his casting out the demon, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 11:20).

God is all about good and holy works.  You and I don’t do good works. God does good works through our faith.  Let us not be confused about the real source of the good works that we do.  The finger of God is still at work in this world because the kingdom of God has come 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

Part 1 of 2

Daily Office Readings for Sunday of Proper 25: Year 2

AM Psalms 63 and 98; PM Psalm 103; Ecclesiasticus 18:19to33; 1^st Corinthians 10:15to24; Matthew 18:15to20

“Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?” (1^st Corinthians 10:18)

I think the most troubling time for me during this pandemic is missing being with my brothers and sisters around the Table for receiving the Body of Christ.  We all have differences in many ways.  We have different political beliefs; we have different beliefs regarding who should marry who; we even have different beliefs about who Jesus really is, Son of God, or God Incarnate.  But we come to the Table in solidarity of purpose.  And that is, obeying Our Lord Jesus who said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Despite our differences we are partners at the Altar. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Part 2 of 2

 New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 25: Year A

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 and Matthew 22:34-46

“He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  (Matthew 22: 37 to 40)

There was a traveler who asked an old Rabbi, “Sir, could you explain the whole of the Torah while standing on one foot?”  To which the Rabbi answered, “What you don’t like done to you, do not do to anyone else.” 

In the Hebrew Testament there are six hundred and thirteen laws; many of which are outdated in today’s societies.  And we Christians have adopted the Ten Commandments as part of our own code of conduct.  However, in today’s Eucharistic Gospel, we see where our Lord Jesus makes it easier for us.  It is indeed easier to remember only two Commandments.  Love God with all that you are and love your neighbor as yourself.  Loving God must come first.  Love God, and then we are able to love others through the love we have for God.  It is also very important that we love ourselves.  It does us no good to love others as we love ourselves if in fact, we don’t love ourselves. God loves us. Therefore, we too must love ourselves. God finds us worthy of God’s love. So we cannot, not love ourselves. After this, we stretch out to our neighbors, all on earth.

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 24: Year 2

AM Psalm 30 and 32; PM Psalm 42 and 43;

Ecclesiasticus 15:9 to 20; Revelation 10:1to11; Luke 11:1to13

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”  (Luke 11: 9 and 10) 

I think having a curious mind is a human characteristic.  Perhaps other creatures as well, for example, some birds, cats and apes, but most definitely, human beings. We search for answers for all sorts of things.

Asking a question is the beginning of learning.  We can often get an idea about the intellectual depth of a person by the questions they ask.  But the asking in our Gospel reading has to do with asking for help.  A man wants to borrow some bread from a neighbor in order that he might have food for his guests.  Jesus’ point is that if he is persistent in asking he will get what he needs.

Searching for something missing is often challenging.  We have to have some idea of what we are looking for and believe it is findable.  Sometimes what we are looking for is hidden in plain sight. And sometimes, what we are “in search of,” we really don’t know what it is.  But we believe we will know it when we see it.

Knocking on a door is human specific.  We want in.  It could be a place of employment, or a club, or a school, or a church.  We need to be careful about knocking on doors.  Sometimes we get in and it’s not as alluring as we thought.  In such a case we might look for the door again in order to get out.

Asking, searching and knocking are all desires to develop ourselves further. Direction of develop is very important.  Developing more wealth or power is idolatrous. Developing a closer spiritual relationship with God should be goal of every true believer.  Asking, searching and knocking are quests.  We are asking for; or in search of; or trying to gain entrance into; something that we believe will make us more whole and bring us into the realm of the Holy.

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 24: Year 2

AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35; Ecclesiasticus 11:2-20; Revelation 9:13to21; Luke 10:38to42

“Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.”  (Psalm 31:5)

This reading of Psalm 31, and in particular, this verse, stands out for me.  I have conducted many “Last Rite” services in my priesthood.  Every time I close, or shortly thereafter, the dying person will at some point, open their eyes and gaze at a presence in the room with joy and acceptance. I am absolutely convinced that at that point, whether in a hospital room or in a private home, we are all standing on Holy Ground. God sends for us with the saints and the angels of heaven.

This latest experience occurred with the mother of a parishioner while at Chapel Hill University Hospital, North Carolina. I had been a regular minister and counselor for her for over a year and had grown to know and love her very much.  While she was not a regular visitor to our Church at Saint Paul’s in the Pines, I got regular reports from her daughter who is a dedicated and faithful member. Her sick mother was not a citizen of the United States but is a full citizen of the family of saints of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

When I was told by her daughter that she, (her mother), opened her eyes as if to focus on something in the hospital room, I cried with joy!  I knew then that Our Lord Jesus had received her into his heavenly realm.  Her body might have been still keeping its heartbeat and labored breathing rhythmus but her soul has already been placed into the hands of our Savior.  I thank God that I know this and I pass this on to all who read this blog. So also, Christel Smith says,  “Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.” Thank You Lord Jesus. And thank you for Christel in our lives. Amen.

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 24: Year 2

 Psalm 37; Ecclesiasticus 10:1-18; Revelation 9:1to12; Luke 10:25 to 37

“But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?”  (Luke 10:29) 

Today, we too, want to justify ourselves.  More than that, we want to justify ourselves by having others side with us. It no longer matters if we are right as long as we are in the majority.

The lawyer wanted to vindicate himself. He wanted to know the definition of neighbor. Perhaps he thought that by defining neighbor, he might eliminate a lot of people he wouldn’t have to be concerned about.  In this way he would be off the hook, so to speak.

Of course this parable goes into the story about the person whom we call the Good Samaritan. In this parable we notice that a priest, and then a Levite, pass by the injured man. Some say that if the man was dead and they touched him, they would then be defiled and could not enter the temple.  To this I would ask, what good is a faith tradition if it prevents you from being helpful to others?

So are we off the hook, if the person in need is not on our team, our political party, or have our same skin tone, or speak our language? None of these differences disqualify him or her as a neighbor. But the truth is, that the neighbor was identified not by any of these outward characteristics or even by his faith tradition but by the Samaritan having pity on the injured man and responding to him from compassion.  Your neighbor is determined by what’s in you, not who the other person is.

We have our faith traditions in order that such traditions might help us be better neighbors. We do not have neighbors only if they share our looks or tradition. Every human being is our neighbor. We need to ask God to let us see all persons on this planet as our neighbor.  We all live on this “earth-hood” and that makes the earth our neighborhood.

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 24: Year 2

AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25to 48; Ecclesiasticus 7:4-14; Revelation 8:1-13; Luke 10:17to24

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

As I read this good news for the 70 “others” who just returned I ponder who they were.  Jesus has previously sent out the twelve apostles on a similar mission among whom was Judas Iscariot who would betray Jesus later.  So who among these seventy others were also not so honorable?  Was Jesus prematurely handing out passage into heaven?

As a priest I see my job as one who coaches people into heaven.  I want them to be the best people they can possibly be.  I also need people to know and understand that should they make a mistake later in life, our God is a merciful God.  This comes with a caution however.

As we enter the company of saints in heaven we can’t be upset about Judas and others we know who may be present there.  We are not to judge, only love.  This love, not judge idea, must start now, in this life. Jealousy, vengeance, retaliation and all such feelings are toxic to our hearts and could work against our own entry into heaven.

The experience the seventy received was life changing.  The same is true for us today.  Have you realized any miracles in your life?  I will tell you that I have, several times. They have occurred in your life as well but you may not have “realized” it.  I can never see where God is, but I can easily see where God was in my life.  And I am thankful. 

Rejoice when you realize that God has acted in your life. I do.  But be even happier that because God is present with you now, you will be present with God for all eternity, even with some folk you didn’t care so much for in this life. We can’t say who will, or will not be in heaven.  That’s God’s job. We just need to work on ourselves, our less than loving feeling toward some people we have come to know. The seventy were thirty-five pairs of people on a mission for our Lord Jesus.  Maybe even among these pairs of people there was some resentment. Perhaps what they saw as they went out to do the work of the Lord was more about themselves.  Some people in high human positions miss this opportunity.  Jesus said to the seventy, “For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”  (Luke 10:24) Let go of ill wills. Just let go and let God. God is tricky.  Sometimes God will send you out to find your inner self.

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 24: Year 2

AM Psalms 26 and 28; PM Psalms 36 and 39; Ecclesiasticus. 6:5to17; Revelaation 7:9to17; Luke 10:1to16

“After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go” (Luke 10:1)

So our Lord Jesus sent his followers out to places where he himself intended to go.  It is important to note here that Jesus sent them out in pairs.  There are many faith traditions today that follow this example of evangelism. I think there is something about the integrity of two. Also, the two usually consist of a leader and an apprentice.

This idea of pairing appears in the Hebrew Testament as well.  Some examples are Abraham and Sarah, or Abraham and Lot; Ruth and Naomi or Ruth and Boaz; Moses and Aaron; David and Jonathan, Elijah and Elisha.  There are others as well.  Partnering, either with one’s spouse or significant other; or a vocational missioner; partnering, is who God designed us to be and the way God wants us to go about our lives. This is why God in Christ Jesus sends us out in twos.

When pairing with a partner, whether it’s for Bible Study or building a shed, one of the two needs to be well informed about whatever the undertaking is. The one learning needs to agree to follow the teacher’s lead. The other piece about partnering is that often such relationships aren’t permanent and are not intended to be applied to other vocations.  Using the example above, one of the two teaching Bible Study should have some kind of biblical education.  For building a shed, one of the two should have experience in carpentry.

Partner relationships evolve.  As we learn and grow we gravitate to other partners.  In this way we develop greater skills and move on to new and different areas of interests.  Whether we are pondering about our personal spirituality or wanting to learn a new language, there is always someone we can seek out whom we can emulate.  Someone once told me that if you see who you want to be in another person, you can copy him or her. But first, you have to see it being lived out. This is the master and protégé or apprentice concept. It still works today.  God made us to copy one another. However, we must choose wisely.

We need to value noble personality traits. We need to highly value people of strong faith. If we look around, the people we want to be more like are in our communities.  However, such people tend to keep a low profile in this sad world that seems to value negativity.  Therefore, you must seek out those who are walking humbly before our Lord and traveling to all the places where Jesus himself intends to go.  Partner with such people and listen to them, learn from them, love, live and then finally, you yourself, will also lead.

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 24: Year 2

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalms 9 and 15; Ecclesiasticus 4:20-7; Revelation7:1to8; Luke 9:51to 62

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9:62)

Let’s go deeper using this agricultural metaphor.  If we are plowing a field, we can’t look back and tell where we are going, only where we have been. Once we set out to churn up the soil we must stay focused on where we are going and how the tiller is working.

Just so, as we carry the message of love into the world we must stay focused on the challenges that lie in front of us.  We can’t keep looking back at the places where we succumbed to selfishness, jealousy or hate. We must keep our eyes fixed on the new path ahead.  And like the rows of earth being created by the tiller, the road we are on is often being created by us as we walk it.  Jesus is often sending us out ahead of himself to prepare the Way as he did with John the Baptist.

The path we try to build is not always successful. As we read, “he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them” (Luke 9: 52 to 55}. Apparently James and John had some power and they wanted to use it. But revenge and retaliation is not the Jesus Way.

For me this means that we do what we can do, where we can do it, in the Name of the love of our Lord Jesus.  Where we can’t, we move on. We don’t stay and bring down a fire and brimstone argument about rejection.  We must keep our eyes on the potentially fertile field ahead. Once we set out to churn up the soil we must stay focused on where we are going and how the tiller is working.  Go forth then my beloved of the Lord, stay focused and do good work.

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 24: Year 2

AM Psalms 148, 149, 150; PM Psalms 114, 115;
Ecclesiasticus. 4:1to10; 1^st Corinthians10:1to13; Matthew16:13to20

“Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother. (Ecclesiasticus 4:10)

This verse reminds me of James 1: 27 where James says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  Women with children seem to be the most distressed among all peoples of the world.  Even in the animal kingdom, a random mother, (monkey or great cat) with an infant and no mate, seems to be a pariah among the regular members of its given community. Jesus came to us in such a way. Yes, there was Joseph, and as we learn, he was not the biological father of our Savior.  Mary and her child needed community support.  Mary and her child needed the contribution of providers to help her through their difficult times. They needed “Religion that [was] pure and undefiled before God, the Father.”

Part 2 of 2

New Testament Readings for Sunday of Proper 24: Year A

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10;  Matthew 22:15-22

“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” (Matthew 22:17)

Back in the days of antiquity the tax was needed to pay the wages of Roman troops as well as Roman government workers. The same is true today for all governments, including our own United States government.  Caring for the poor used to be the primary work of the Church. And, the Church still does.  But now it is the responsibility of all governments to care for their citizens, in particular those who cannot take care of themselves, like mothers with children and the elderly and the infirmed.  And yet, there will be people “gaming the system.”  I believe it is better to lose some money to fraud than to neglect those in real need.  The tax takes care of the needy and provides the needed services we all need.  God however, takes care of everybody, the great and the small, including those who game the system.

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