Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 8: Year 2

Psalm [120], 121, 122, 123;Psalm 124, 125, 126, [127] Num. 22:21-38; Rom. 7:1-12; Matt. 21:23-32

“What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not”; but later he changed his mind and went.  The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, “I go, sir”; but he did not go.  Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21: 28 – 32)

Our Lord Jesus points out that those who made the wrong decision initially, but then turned their lives around and did the will of God were forgiven and accepted; while those who gave the pleasing lip response initially, did not change for the better. Over time, we tend to improve.

I must confess that I am a much better person now than I was even 10 or 20 years ago.  How do I know this?  I evaluate this by how I now see and listen to people; I evaluate it by the friends I cherish. And finally, I evaluate it by the fewer regrets I have for things done, and left undone.

The son who said no but did the will of the Father was, I believe, happier with himself in the end.  The son who said yes, but did not do the Father’s will, lived a double life of shame, shame for not pleasing the Father, and shame for lying about it in the first place.  The first son did not follow through with his emotional resentment of not wanting to do the work, but after deeper thought, did the work anyway.  The second son told the Father what he thought the father wanted to hear, either knowing he had no intention of doing the work; or, deciding later that he would not keep his word.

The words we produce with our mouths are important especially if they truly represent what we are thinking and believing.   But the words we produce with our actions are the most important because they validate what we say with our mouths.  Jesus has cornered the chief priests and elders in a situation wherein they would not say what they truly thought about John the Baptist. Rather, they conspired to say words pleasing to each other.  And unlike the tax-collectors and the prostitutes, the chief priests and elders would not change their ways.  How about us?  Do we always say what we really mean?  And if we err, will we repent and change?

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 8: Year 2

Psalm 106:1-18; Psalm 106:19-48; Num. 22:1-21; Rom. 6:12-23 Matt. 21:12-22

“In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry.  And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once.” (Matthew 21:18 – 19)

A fig tree, born of creation, yet refuses to provide food for the One through whom it has its being.  We might argue that it was not the “proper” time for the fruit to come; therefore, not the tree’s fault.  But we don’t know the hidden relationship that the Creator had with this tree.

I have read where that as Jesus was on his way back to the Temple, which was also in full leaf, produced no fruit in terms of spiritually feeding the people entrusted to it.  The Temple was there for the Temple authorities only. There was a similarity between the fruitless tree and the fruitless temple.

How about you and me?  What is the spiritual fruit of our labors?  Are we found visiting the sick, or assisting those with no transportation to the store or medical appointments?  These are especially challenging questions during our COVID 19 pandemic.  But we must not use this pandemic as an excuse, or as a free pass, to not help our neighbors. By using the proper cleaning products, wearing masks, using a well cleansed back seat in our cars for our neighbors, and other safe practices, we can produce the spiritual fruit that our Lord Jesus is going to come looking for.

This pandemic should not become a self-serving excuse to not be gracious to others. Such graciousness is the fruit that feeds our Lord Jesus.  He is hungry, and He is coming!

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

New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 8: Year A

Romans 6:12-23  Matthew 10:40-42

“Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple– truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”” (Matthew 10: 40 – 42)

If we go forth in the Name of our Lord Jesus, we present Jesus to all we encounter, if we get out of the way.  We are the gift wrapped package of Jesus.  Jesus then, is the package that contains God, like the Trojan Horse of the Greeks who secretly entered Troy.  So within each baptized Christian is hidden our Lord Jesus, and within Jesus is God Almighty. Delivering God to anyone is wonderful but especially to those who may not know God, is the most important thing any of us can do. And we don’t do it alone.  We let go and let God; we let God work through us.

Now, after this opening statement, comes the “reward” language, which I don’t care for.  The prophet’s reward, the righteous person’s reward, and even the compassionate person’s reward, seems to encourage us to do good in order to receive the appropriate (and expected) reward.  Let’s just be like Mary, and be God-bearers.  Mary partnered with, and co-created with God not for herself but for the salvation of the world.  Let her words resonate within ourselves, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38)

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 7: Year 2

Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13);Psalm 33; Num. 20:14-29; Rom. 6:1-11; Matt. 21:1-11

“But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6: 8 – 11)

I have always believed, even before going to seminary, that the most serious service a clergy person could facilitate, second only to baptism, is the funeral or burial service.  Death is the ultimate transition of life. Not all will submit to baptism, but all of us will submit to death.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ walked among us to be the Gateway into eternal life with God. I believe also that every human being will be raised to judgment before our Creator.  How we have behaved during our dash-time (that time between birth and death) is important so far as it reflects what is in our hearts, but it is the actual content of our hearts that makes the difference. God looks upon the heart.  Do you have love in your heart?  Jesus instructs us to love others as he loves us.

We don’t have to worry about our conduct if we vow to always behave from the “love of other” perspective.  It would make no difference whether we were police, medical, military, clergy or corrections officer; doing our vocations from loving others as Christ loves us is pleasing to God and eases our transition through ultimate judgment.  Love for the other then makes us dead to sin. Sin is that which separates us from the will of God. This is why Paul says that we all must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ 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 of Proper 7: Year 2

Psalm 102; Psalm 107:1-32; Num. 20:1-13; Rom. 5:12-21; Matt. 20:29-34

“Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.” (Matthew 20: 34)

In this Matthew Gospel account two blind men “regain’ their sight.  Which means they once saw clearly but later lost their vision.  Somehow they lost sight of what was going on and where they were going; and now they wanted Jesus to put them back where they could see again.

The sight that our Lord Jesus restores is not so much our visual sight as it seems on the surface.  It is the seeing of our heart that really guides us on the good path. Our Lord Jesus looked through the eyes of his own Godly heart and he was “moved with compassion” and restored their sight.

Are we willing to ask for, and receive, this restored newness?  These blind men refused to be hushed by the surrounding crowd but instead demanded to be helped by our Lord Jesus.  When we have lost our vision, and our hope, some will try to keep us this way often for their own self serving purposes. We must dare to break out and seek the presence of Jesus in order to be put back on track.  He is already moved with compassion for us, we just need to insist on seeing him in order that we might see the 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 Thursday of Proper 7: Year 2

Psalm 105:1-22; Psalm 105:23-45; Num. 17:1-11; Rom. 5:1-11; Matt. 20:17-28

“It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20: 26 – 28)

Jesus has just heard the plea of John and James (his brother) along with their mother. It appears that she asks Jesus to let her sons be on his right and left side in his kingdom.  To this he explains, it is not his to give.  The other apostles find out and are angered by their request.  Jesus calls them together and explains the difference between this world and heaven.  On earth, we have a lordship of tyranny where we rule by threats and punitive measures.  In heaven, it is a kingdom of servanthood.

I’m guessing the problem I have with the language of Jesus, as it is translated and spoken in Matthew, is the part about “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave.”  These words still show an initial goal of seeking the self-serving glory of being great, or, of being first.  Can we not live to serve and be happy with serving without looking forward to sitting on the right or left hand of our Lord and Savior in some kind of shared glory?  Let’s just be ok helping others to be ok. Ok?

Today we also remember James Weldon Johnson

James Weldon Johnson (June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938) was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. Johnson is remembered best for his writing, which includes novels, poems, and collections of folklore. He was also one of the first African-American professors at New York University. Later in life he was a professor of creative literature and writing at Fisk University. (http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/james_weldon_johnson.htm)

I am always interested in men and women who used more of themselves for the good of the world than most of us even know we have.  James Weldon Johnson worked to make this world a better place.  We still have a long way to go.  But if more of us would make use of our own God-given gifts, we, you and I, could bring about happiness and world peace more quickly.  I believe happiness and world peace is God’s plan for creation.  And, God is going to win no matter what.  But all of this could be expedited if we would follow the examples of people like Johnson and others who made use of all the blessings God has already given us.  Explore your gifts.  What gifts do you have that you haven’t used yet? Try.  You take one step and God will take two.

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 Nativity of John the Baptist: June 24

Isaiah 40:1-11  Psalm 85 or 85:7-13  Acts 13:14b-26  Luke 1:57-80

 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.”  They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.  He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”  Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.  All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.” (Luke 1:59 – 65)

Today we remember the birth of John the Baptist.

This is the custom of the day, on the eighth day circumcision was performed and the naming of the male child.  So at first, without any questions they were going to name John the Baptist, “Zechariah,” after his father. But Elizabeth spoke up and said “NO.”  He will be called John, she said.  They didn’t believe her because no male in her family had that name, and so, they dismissed her.  (Just a note: Peter and John did the same thing to Mary Magdalene at the Resurrection of Jesus. Too often men still don’t listen to women as we should)

Meanwhile, Zechariah was silenced by the angel Gabriel for doubting his authority (Luke 1: 18 – 20).  So therefore, when they wanted to ask him about the baby’s name, they had to hand him writing material for his response.  “And to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” I want to point out here that Zechariah did not say “he will be called John,” but rather, his name IS John.  He was fore ordained by God.

John grew up in the wilderness, unpolluted by the false doctrine of the Temple authorities.  He was an empty vessel and therefore useful for God’s filling.   He spoke truth to power and is praised by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We too are called to speak truth to power, no matter the costs.  We all need to empty ourselves as John the Baptist did in order to be made useful for God.

Today we remember the birth of John the Baptist. You have six months to Christmas Day!

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 7: Year 2

Psalm 97, 99, [100]; Psalm 94, [95] Num. 16:20-35; Rom. 4:1-12; Matt. 19:23-30

“Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”  (Matthew 19:27)

Peter is someone in the Gospel that I really identify with. I sometimes shoot from the hip without thinking.  I am sometimes scared and deny even knowing Christ.  I have family and yet have decided to follow Jesus.   However, I have moved beyond asking “what’s in it for me.” Peter explains to Jesus how he and others have followed him and now wants to know about the payoff.

I am in a place now where I want to do good for goodness sake.  It’s like the Santa Clause song, “he knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you are wake, he knows if you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.”  Being good for goodness sake is a kindness that is not looking down the reward road.  Being good for goodness sake is basking in the goodness as you perform it. It’s Wonderful.

Our Lord Jesus is very much aware of our human need for good outcomes.  So he assures Peter, and us, that we will receive the good reward. He says, everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19: 29)

So let us not be so concerned about a future reward.  Let’s just be kind and do what is good and right so that we can say (humbly but with a little bit of pride) I did that!

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 7: Year 2

Psalm 89:1-18; Psalm 89:19-52; Num. 16:1-19; Rom. 3:21-31; Matt. 19:13-22

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” (Matthew 19: 21 – 22)

I like to bracket the words [the money] in verse 21 of chapter 19.  My Greek translation does not have those words. It reads, “ ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς· Εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ ^[x]δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν ^[y]οὐρανοῖς, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι.”  Roughly translated it says, “ to him Jesus said, if perfect you wish to be, go sell your stuff and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.” 

Translation is a tricky business.  There is a difference between “give to the poor,” and “give the money to the poor.”  Our Lord Jesus and his unemployed followers could certainly use some of the money.  We are told that certain women who had money helped with the necessities of the group. (Luke 8:1 – 3) We could miss the practical necessity here by too loose a translation.

In this story we see not a man with possessions; but rather, a man who was possessed by his wealth.  We might have had his name had he let go of his possessions. He could have been one of the apostles!  He was invited among them by Jesus as he said, “then come, follow me.”

Based on a real and practical understanding of this Bible reading it becomes clear that money is not bad but it can distract and rule us if we are not careful.  We should give to the poor but we must care for ourselves as well. If we don’t first care for ourselves, we may not be able to help anyone else. It takes a strong swimmer to save a drowning man.

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 Sunday of Proper 7: Year A

Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17;  Romans 6:1b-11;  Matthew 10:24-39

“ Jesus said to the twelve disciples, “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master.”  (Matthew 10: 24 – 25)

Today is Father’s Day. To the disciple and teacher; and to the slave and master; I would add the child and the father. Jesus said, “It is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master.”  And I would add, it is enough for the child to be like the father; the good father.

Throughout the Gospel of John Jesus proclaims “that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” Good fatherhood comes from the godliness of parenting.

I have talked with many teachers who tell me there is a significant, and positive difference, between children who have a father in the home and those who don’t.

Let me tell you about three fathers: Jesse, Joseph and Tom. Jesse was the proud father of eight sons.  He proudly presented seven of them for anointing by Samuel but held back his youngest, David. Yet, David changed the world and was the apple of God’s eye. (1 Samuel 16)

Then there is Joseph. Of all the men of the world, God almighty chose the carpenter Joseph to be His earthly father as he joined us, to be one of us.  Joseph was a good and moral man who would not even use the corrupt rules of his day to put Mary aside, being that she was already pregnant by who knows who as far as others thought.  Being a father is more than making a pregnancy.

Tom was an over-the- road truck driver.  At the age of thirty nine he married a woman eleven years his junior who already had a daughter some twelve years in her past.  Tom was a loving man who had disagreements with my mother but was always gentle with her and with us, his children.  I did not realize the importance of his loving gentleness until much later in life, when I became part of a domestic violence rehabilitation team at the New River Air Station, Family Advocacy Program.  Real fathers make all the difference.

Some governments still have corrupt rules in place that penalize mothers with children who try to hold on to the good fathers of their children, either natural or like Joseph, just dedicated, and cause a financial burden on them.  The mothers of these children struggle to make ends meet besides having no role models for the children. This is sad in light of the fact that teachers show the benefit of having a father in the home. We should probably look into these rules and make it easier for fathers to stay in their families.

“It is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master and the child like the good father.”

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