Author: John Thomas Frazier

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Daily Office Readings for Wednesday after the Third Sunday of Lent: year 2

Psalm 119:97-120; Psalm 81, 82  Gen. 45:16-28; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Mark 6:13-29 

“But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling-block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9)

Paul here is talking about not eating food dedicated to idols. But we can all look deeper into our own lives as thinking Christians. Reason is one of the three legs of the three legged stool that Richard Hooker used as a metaphor for us to think about; Scripture, Tradition and Reason.  They all carry the same and equal guidance on our Christian behavior.  I like to have a beer every now and then.  But I will not stop at a store and purchase beer while wearing clericals (clergy shirt with tab or collar).  North Carolina, being part of the Southern Bible belt where beliefs are pretty fundamental, right or wrong, I don’t want people to think ill of me or of my Church. Are there any practices or enjoyments that you have that could become a stumbling-block to the weak?

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Today we remember Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem from 349 to 386

Readings for Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem:

Psalm 34:1-8  Ecclesiasticus 47:2-10 Mark 9: 38-41

“Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; let us exalt his Name together.” (Psalm 34:3)

“It is likely that it was Cyril who instituted the observances of Palm Sunday and Holy Week during the latter years of his episcopate in Jerusalem. In doing so, he was taking practical steps to organize devotions for countless pilgrims and local inhabitants around the sacred sites. In time, as pilgrims returned to their homes from Palestine, these services were to influence the development of Holy Week observances throughout the entire Church. Cyril attended the Second Ecumenical Council at Constantinople, in 381, and died at Jerusalem on March 18, 386. (Great Cloud of Witnesses for March 18)

Cyril seemed to be one who invited others to join him to praise God. He lived into the Psalmist’s words, “Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord; let us exalt his Name together.”  Inviting people to join us in Church is certainly not a stumbling block, but rather, a step up.  Our Church is going through a really hard time now with this Covid 19 threat. Now is the best time to invite others.

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

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Daily Office Readings for the Tuesday after the Third Sunday of Lent: Year 2

Psalm 78:1-39; 78:40-72 Gen. 45:1-15; 1 Cor. 7:32-40; Mark 6:1-13

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him.” (Mark 6:3)

Just because we know someone and their family, and our opinion of them is not favorable to us, does not mean that God is not making good use of them for a better life in the community in which that person lives. But in this case, we’re talking about God Incarnate. His community thought they knew everything about Jesus and had already decided that he was not Godly.  They were so wrong.  Besides that, God is able to use anybody to do God’s work, which includes you. 

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So today is St. Patrick’s Day!  Are you wearing something green?

Readings for St. Patrick

Psalm 96 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8  Matthew 28:16-20

“When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.”  (Matthew 28:17)

 “Patrick was born into a Christian family somewhere on the northwest coast of Britain in about 390. His grandfather had been a Christian priest and his father, Calpornius, a deacon. Calpornius was an important official in the late Roman imperial government of Britain. It was not unusual in this post-Constantinian period for such state officials to be in holy orders. When Patrick was about sixteen, he was captured by a band of Irish slave-raiders. He was carried off to Ireland and forced to serve as a shepherd. When he was about twenty-one, he escaped and returned to Britain, where he was educated as a Christian. He tells us that he took holy orders as both presbyter and bishop, although no particular see is known as his at this time. A vision then called him to return to Ireland. This he did about the year 431.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for March 17)

Like our Lord Jesus who when the eleven met him after His Resurrection, “some doubted.” So too some in Ireland may have doubted that this returned person, now a bishop, was actually the escaped shepherd youth named Patrick. Humans are created by God to be made and to be made over.  If you live and learn and love, long enough, you too will be made over.  You will be better.

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 Third Sunday of Lent: Year 2

Psalm 80; Psalm 77, [79]   Gen. 44:18-34; 1 Cor. 7:25-31; Mark 5:21-43

“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years.” (Mark 5: 25)

Jesus was on his way to heal a child when this hemorrhaging woman acted from her faith and touched Jesus and was healed. So our Lord Jesus, while on his way to do a good work, did an additional good work.  In Cursillo we call this an “unexpected opportunity.”

Opportunities to do unexpected good works abound.  Our Lord Jesus models for us that there will be people in need all around.  We may not know them but they need us.  They come to us from their faith, trusting in God to work through us for what they need. These are unexpected opportunities. Had not our Lord Jesus been going to do a good work already, the woman in need may not have ever crossed his path.  The same is true for us today.  As we go about our business to do good God will put people in our path who need us. From that point on, God is watching us, to see how we might respond. Remember, it is their faith in God working through you that works in them.

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

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Daily Office Readings for the third Sunday of Lent: Year 2

Psalm 93, 96; Psalm 34 Gen. 44:1-17; Rom. 8:1-10; John 5:25-29  

“For the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5: 28 – 29)

From the reading from the Gospel above, we will all come to the Resurrection after death.  However, we will hit a fork in the Resurrection road!  Some will proceed to Eternal Life. Others will not. I have always interpreted the Gospel to say we will all be raised to the next life, but then judgment comes.  Some will proceed to eternal life.  Others will proceed to non-existence.  I don’t believe a loving God would maintain us just to see us suffer, not my Lord Jesus. But this life we live today determines the path we take in he Resurrection.

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Eucharistic Readings for the Third Sunday of Lent: Year A

Exodus 17:1-7  Psalm 95  Romans 5:1-11  John 4:5-42

“They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

I am always amazed at the number of unnamed persons in the Bible. Luckily, at the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus, Mary Magdalene was named as the preacher who preached “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18) The un-named woman at the well and the un-named man healed in part 1 of today’s blog are like many of us today.  Folks may not know our names but we are still being sent out to tell the life changing and life saving story of our Lord Jesus.

Funny how the two Gospel readings from John, though from different offices, the first from the Daily Office, and the second from the Eucharistic Readings for today, have the same theme in common.  This may be the work of the Holy Spirit trying to tell us something. Can you hear what the Spirit is saying?

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 after the Second Sunday in Lent: Year 2

Psalm 75, 76; Psalm 23, 27 Gen. 43:16-34; 1 Cor. 7:10-24; Mark 5:1-20

“They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid.” (Mark 5:15)

Why were they afraid?  They should have rejoiced because the man was healed.  We don’t have the man’s name.  He is one of our Bible’s mysteries who, while important in the message of healing, was not considered worthy to have his name recorded. Strangely, we do have the demons collective name; “Legion” but not the host of Legion.  Our Lord Jesus gives the man back to himself. Thank you Lord Jesus.

I have been informed that due to the spread of the Coronavirus or COVID 19 our Church services have been suspended until perhaps Psalm Sunday!  We don’t know all the names of the people that this will impact but have at least two names of the virus. The sadness is, that like the man cleansed by Jesus, people only want to talk about who gets the virus, and not so much about who heals from the virus.  Fortunately, now we have some famous people (Tom Hanks and others) who have contracted the virus and we will undoubtedly keep up with them.  Jesus is still cleanses us and we will celebrate all healings.

Jesus performed this miracle outside of Israel, in country of the Gerasenes.  Then, as our Lord Jesus was leaving, “As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.” (Mark 5: 18 – 20)

The Coronavirus started outside the U.S. but migrated globally.  We must realize that the problems of one people are the problems of all people. We can’t just leave or turn off the news and hope it goes away when we fear what’s happening. We must confront whatever it is and see what the Lord is doing in our midst and be thankful.  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 Friday, after the Second Sunday of Lent: Year A

Psalm 95  69:1-23(24-30)31-38; Psalm 73 Gen. 43:1-15; 1 Cor. 7:1-9; Mark 4:35-41

“Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again” (1 Corinthians 7:5)

I do not accept all of Saint Paul’s advice or his beliefs about the husband wife relationship.  But buried deep in this counsel is the recommendation that each should pray.  And from the way he says it I feel it means for each to find their own time alone and apart to do so.  As he writes “and then come together again,” suggests to me that they are apart during some of their praying time, but later join one another again.

I do premarital counseling for couples engaged to be married.  Of the several categories of questions I ask, I ask about their faith (or faiths).  As they come to me (a priest) for conducting the wedding it should be understood that the marriage is a Christian matter. My Book of Common Prayer says that at least one of them must be baptized.  Personally I prefer both of them to be Christian (even better if both are Episcopalian, but not necessary). I don’t expect the couple to provide me with what they have resolved about any of the subjects I put before them, I just want to know that they had the conversations. 

Prayer, like finance, division of household labor, employment and careers, raising children, education, extended family, sex, and support of their worship house, I have often suggested that for prayer they pray together.  Listening to Paul now, I am re-thinking that part.  Perhaps it would be better if at some point they each had some “alone” time with God. They can still do their regular prayers together, but they each should also have some quiet meditation time with God alone. Thanks Paul.

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

Readings for Gregory the Great: March 12

Psalm 57 1 Chronicles 25:1-8  Mark 10:42-45

“So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” (Mark 10: 42 – 44)

Our Lord Jesus flips the understanding of leader upside down.  The closer one is to the top, the more of a servant one should become.

Today we remember Gregory the Great.  “Gregory’s pontificate was one of strenuous activity. He organized the defense of Rome against the attacks of the Lombards and fed its populace from papal granaries in Sicily. In this, as in other matters, he administered “the patrimony of St. Peter” with energy and efficiency. His ordering of the Church’s liturgy and chant has molded the spirituality of the Western Church until the present day. Though unoriginal in theology, his writings provided succeeding generations with basic texts, especially the Pastoral Care, a classic on the work of the ministry. In the midst of all his cares and duties, Gregory prepared and fostered the evangelizing mission to the Anglo-Saxons under Augustine and other monks from his own monastery. The Venerable Bede justly called Gregory “The Apostle of the English.”  Gregory died on March 12, 604, and was buried in St. Peter’s Basilica. His life was a true witness to the title he assumed for his office: “Servant of the servants of God.””  (Great Cloud of Witnesses for March 12)

Gregory’s contribution of chant and hymnody has contributed greatly to our worship.  This is probably why the crafters of his biography included biblical writings that included the importance of music as in 1 Chronicles 25:1 – 8 and the verses 6 – 7 of Psalm 57.  Music was important to Gregory.

My biggest take-away is his personal identifier as “Servant of the servants of God.”  He spared no means of helping his people, especially in times of famine or war. Today that means assisting people with their needs in carrying out God’s love to the world.  As our Lord Jesus says in our Gospel reading from Mark, “we must be a servant, and even servant of all.”  This reminds me of the Foot Washing in the Gospel of John.  This is about being nice to people in their need and comforting them in order that they might go out and do the same. It is the loving and sacrificial Spirit of our Lord Jesus working in 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 Wednesday after the Second Sunday of Lent: Year 2

Psalm 72; Psalm 119:73-96 Gen. 42:18-28; 1 Cor. 5:9-6:8; Mark 4:1-20

“Do you not know that we are to judge angels—to say nothing of ordinary matters? If you have ordinary cases, then, do you appoint as judges those who have no standing in the church?” (1 Corinthians 6: 3 – 4)

I believe that people who are regular worship attendees make the best police persons, military personal, and lawyers and judges. There should always be some kind of community moral compass in place and activated in such work as police, military and the judicial system. 

Humane treatment and decency should always be at the forefront of all public service or conflict. People that do such work should come from a community of faith. I don’t believe such a faith community has to be Christian.  But it should be a community whose beliefs recognize the godly value of all people regardless of ethnicity, religion, nationality, language, or sexual orientation.  Yes, we must appoint or elect judges to make decisions about how to proceed in terms of what to do about offenders. However, compassion must be given to people who themselves often show no compassion. Being tough on crime does not mean being hateful to those who are different or who have made mistakes or even those who show no desire to improve.

Preachers or priests, or imams, or rabbis must be mindful of the message they plant in the hearts of their listeners, from whom such public servants are called.  We all have the same loving God.  We have found different ways to relate to and worship God.  But just as we look up to God, we must also look to our right and left at our neighbor and remember to love them through this same God. I agree with Saint Paul, I think our judges (and other public service providers and military) should come from people who have an understanding of some kind of loving worship community. The religious leaders who plant the seeds of morality have a huge responsibility for making sure such seeds are loving and inclusive.

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 Second Sunday of Lent. Year 2

Psalm 61, 62; Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36 Gen. 42:1-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-8; Mark 3:19b-35

“And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)

Our Lord Jesus is saying that those who come to God in the way he does are his family.  I have a huge biological family but we often differ regarding the way we interpret the inclusiveness of God and the inherent Christian service required.

It’s Church.  I have friends here in Cumberland and Hoke counties of North Carolina who are not members of my Church; some are not members of any church.  They are also somewhat relationally distant from me. My Church family however shares with me our understanding of God in our lives and the lives of our collective community.  For me, the good news about our church is that we love providing Christian hospitality to all people.  Yes, there may be individuals some of us may have a problem with but for the most part, all are welcome.  We don’t care about what others believe or don’t believe. Our covenant Baptismal Creed requires us to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being. (BCP 305)  To all this (and more), we answer “I will with God’s help.” 

My Pondering is from the Episcopal Church perspective.  I don’t apologize for that.  I have found spiritual family in this Church.  Our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael Curry, says that we are the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement. There are many paths but this one is mine. I believe everybody should have a worship family of some kind.  Even if you say you believe in little green frogs, fine, but if you do, you should be found down by the pond ever now and then.

Not being in my family is in no way a bad thing.  In fact if you are not, then you are on the receiving end of our love, care, and hospitality. As the Most Reverend William Temple, former Archbishop of Canterbury (1942–1944) said, “The Church is the one institution that exists for the benefit of those who do not belong to it.” Being an Episcopalian/Anglican means treating so called outsiders as a beloved guest even in their own home as our Lord Jesus did with Zacchaeus in his home as found in the beginning chapter 19 of the Gospel of Luke.

So you see, it is as our Lord Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of God is my family.”  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

Readings for Gregory of Nyssa (March 9, 394)

Psalm 119:97-104 Wisdom 7:24-28  John 14:23-26 

“Though she [Wisdom] is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets.”  (Wisdom 7:27)

These words from the Wisdom of Solomon really work for the story of Gregory of Nyssa. “Gregory was a man enchanted with Christ and dazzled by the meaning of his Passion. He was born in Caesarea in Cappadocia (Turkey) about 334, the younger brother of Basil the Great, and, in his youth, was but a reluctant Christian.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for March 9)

Sometimes however, the best people for an important position are the people who really don’t want it. “His brother Basil, in his struggle against the Emperor Valens, compelled Gregory to become Bishop of Nyssa, a town ten miles from Caesarea. Knowing himself to be unfit for the charge, Gregory described his ordination as the most miserable day of his life. He lacked the important Episcopal skills of tact and understanding, and had no sense of the value of money. Falsely accused of embezzling Church funds, Gregory went into hiding for two years, not returning to his diocese until Valens died.”  (Great Cloud of Witnesses for March 9)

I think we are what we experience.  Significant events in our lives can change us, hopefully for the better.  “Although he resented his brother’s dominance, Gregory was shocked by Basil’s death in 379. Several months later, he received another shock: his beloved sister Macrina was dying. Gregory hastened to Annesi and conversed with her for two days about death, and the soul, and the meaning of the resurrection. Choking with asthma, Macrina died in her brother’s arms. The two deaths, while stunning Gregory, also freed him to develop as a deeper and richer philosopher and theologian. He reveals his delight in the created order in his treatise, On the Making of Man. He exposes the depth of his contemplative and mystical nature in his Life of Moses and again in his Commentary on the Song of Songs. His Great Catechism is still considered second only to Origen’s treatise, On First Principles.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for March 9)

Again, “[Wisdom] renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets.”  (Wisdom 7:27)  I studied Gregory while in Seminary but have not read some of the material mentioned above, but I plan to.  I also often refer to the life of Moses when advising people to depend on God to act in their lives, especially when they are at the water’s edge.

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