Author: John Thomas Frazier

The New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Easter Vigil: Year A

Romans 6:3-11  Psalm 114  Matthew 28:1-10

“Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”” (Matthew 28: 7 – 10)

Galilee, Galilee, Galilee. The Angels tell the women to tell his followers to go to Galilee to see him. A few steps later, the Resurrected Jesus himself tells them the same thing, “tell them to Go to Galilee.”  I am surprised that more churches aren’t named “Galilee” as the place where we meet our Lord Jesus.

Some points to note here is that Jesus, and those assisting Jesus, (his angels) are the ones who first addressed the women.  The women were then “recruited” to further continue the message of how to find Jesus. So, we must be “in search of” our Lord Jesus in the first place.  If we are in search of him, Our Lord Jesus will send us directions.

The second point to ponder is, Where is our “Galilee?” Galilee is where Jesus did the bulk of his teaching and preaching, it is where he did his healing and walking on the water. It is where he was raised and grew up.  This gives a double message of “going home.”  Yes, he is going back to the Father but first he is going back to his earthly place of preference. Capernaum of Galilee, we are told, is the first place our Lord Jesus went to of his own free will and accord. 

I have a few Galilees in my life. I have St Vincent de Paul, Catholic School, in Nashville, Tennessee, where I was first introduced to God, and the Christ of God. I have Paris Island, South Carolina (where I was made a Marine); I have Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia, where my education was continued about our Lord Jesus.  All of these Galilees are places to “go back to” for refreshment and renewal for me. Jesus is calling his followers out of Jerusalem, the place that kills the prophets, to a better place, a place of peace and refreshment.

The Resurrection should mean the same thing for you.  Where, or when, in your life have you found learning and love? This does not have to be, and in most cases is not, geographic.  It’s more a state of mind. It is about when you were happy, loved and learning.  Currently we are living in the Covid state of sickness and death. It’s time for a wake-up call.  Let’s use our minds to go back to places of our own free will and accord, places where we can find our Lord Jesus. And remember; when we go looking, our lord Jesus will send help and guide us all the way.  This is my message for you.  Happy Easter!

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 Good Friday 2020: Year 2

Psalm 95 [for the Invitatory], 22; Psalm 40:1-14 (15-19), 54 Lam. 3:1-9, 19-33; 1 Pet. 1:10-20; John 13:36-38 John 19:38-42

“Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.”  (John 19:39)

Nicodemus finds himself near the beginning of the Gospel of John, in the middle, and at the end like this one for today.  Nicodemus is a secret admirer of Jesus.  But because of his position with the Pharisees he has to be distant and secret.  He almost got in trouble defending Jesus with his fellow authorities. We read in John’s Gospel, “Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, ^“Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”  (John 7:50 – 51) He was quickly jumped on about that question and he backed off.

So Nicodemus is another follower of Jesus who felt shame for not standing up for Jesus. Perhaps this is why he brought well more than enough mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint his body.  When we act outside of our Christian values we too disown Jesus. We refuse to acknowledge we know and follow him.  Today we remember his crucifixion. This is a very sad thing we did.  I say we as in humanity.  I think God looks upon this act as an example of our ignorance.  For the most part, we still are.  Most theologians believe this was a necessary sacrifice for the atonement for our sins. Because of this sacrifice, we dub today “Good Friday.” I must confess, I have a hard time connecting good and murder together.

For me, our Lord Jesus was born as one of us by the Holy Spirit working through Mary, was raised in Galilee setting the example for how we should live together and teaching and preaching the Good News of the Gospel. He healed the sick, cast out demons, gave sight to the blind, enabled the lame to walk, raised the dead back to life, and most importantly, forgave sins. This latter is something we can all do if we try.  I think forgiving sins is our Lord Jesus’ most important lesson. Perhaps Good Friday is Good for him because he gets to go back to the Father from whence he came, but not before he says good bye to us after his “Resurrection.” (Oops, Spoiler,  I’ve jumped the gun)

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 Maundy Thursday of Holy Week: Year 2

Psalm 102; Psalm 142, 143 Lam. 2:10-18; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; Mark 14:12-25

“While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the^* covenant, which is poured out for many.  Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” (Mark 14: 22 – 25)

This is the central sacrament of our Christian faith.  This act means so much more than sermons or readings.  This is what our Lord Jesus left for us to do and to remember him by. Today is what our Church has named “Maundy Thursday.”  This is the night our Lord Jesus was arrested and taken into custody of the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the Temple.  He knew this was coming but insisted on this sacramental meal anyway. 

Normally I would lead our St Paul’s family through a Seder meal as an Instructed Eucharistic.  We can’t do that this year due to the Corona virus. But I would ask each family to have a prayerful meal this evening as did the first Passover Meal during the time of Moses. This is the faithful tradition that our Lord Jesus was maintaining, and asking us to do the same.

St Paul also asks us to continue this tradition in our 1^st Corinthian’s reading for today. He says, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Corinthians 10: 16 – 17)  The four fold parts of Holy Communion are “Take,” “Bless,” Brake,” and “Give.” We are living into the “Brake” and “Given” parts now during our physical separation.  We are still our Church. It is not the building that makes us the Church; it is being the body of Christ that makes us the Church; broken apart and given to ourselves but blessed nevertheless.

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 Holy Week: Year 2

Psalm 55; Psalm 74 Lam. 2:1-9; 2 Cor. 1:23-2:11; Mark 12:1-11

Psalm 74: 8 – 11

8. There are no signs for us to see; there is no prophet left; there is not one among us who knows how long.

9. How long, O God, will the adversary scoff? Will the enemy blaspheme your Name forever?

10. Why do you draw back your hand? Why is your right hand hidden in your bosom?

11. Yet God is my King from ancient times, victorious in the midst of the earth.

These words from Psalm 74 seem appropriate for today as the world goes through the Covid 19 pandemic.  I guess verse 11 brings hope.  I spoke with a dear friend last night who reminded me of the preacher who was sent two boats and a helicopter as a flood was devastating his town. The preacher refused to let the boats or helicopter save him not realizing that this was indeed God’s way of saving him.  God uses us for us.

God has taught us about physical distancing, the wearing of masks, and is teaching us about various medications. This is happening as I am writing this journal.  We just need to put into practice what the Spirit is guiding us to do.  God is our King from ancient times, victorious in the midst of the earth.  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

“Today we remember William Augustus Muhlenberg who was born in Philadelphia in 1796, into a prominent German Lutheran family, and was drawn to The Episcopal Church by its use of English. He deliberately chose to remain unmarried to free himself for a variety of ministries. He was deeply involved in the Sunday School movement, and was concerned that the Church should minister to all social groups. Aware of the limitations of the hymnody of his time, he wrote hymns and compiled hymnals, thus widening the range of music in Episcopal churches. The use of music, flowers, and color, and the emphasis on the church year in worship, became a potent influence. In 1846, he founded the Church of the Holy Communion in New York City. Again, he was bold and innovative: free pews for everyone, a parish school, a parish unemployment fund, and trips to the country for poor city children. His conception of beauty in worship, vivid and symbolic, had at its heart the Holy Communion itself, celebrated every Sunday. Many of his principles are set forth in the Muhlenberg Memorial to General Convention in 1853.”  (Great Cloud of Witness for April 8)

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Holy Week: Year 2

Psalm 6, 12; Psalm 94 Lam. 1:17-22; 2 Cor. 1:8-22; Mark 11:27-33

“So they answered Jesus, ‘We do not know.’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”  (Mark 11:33)

When our Lord Jesus says, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things’ it suggests that the chief priests and the scribes do in fact know that John’s Baptisms are from heaven. But they would rather play the “ignorant” card than admit that John was more holy than they were.

The truth is an amazing thing.  The truth is not always pretty or even noble. When our personal truth is not pretty or noble we want to conceal it. We forget that God knows the truth that is in us just as God knew about Cane killing Able. While the actions of our personal truths may not be noble, being accountable for them is very noble.   

Let us look at the George Washington/Cherry Tree incident. “The Cherry tree myth is the most well-known and longest enduring legend about George Washington. In the original story, when Washington was six years old he received a hatchet as a gift and damaged his father’s cherry tree.  When his father discovered what he had done, he became angry and confronted him.  Young George bravely said, “I cannot tell a lie… I did cut it with my hatchet.” Washington’s father embraced him and rejoiced that his son’s honesty was worth more than a thousand trees.” (https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/cherry-tree-myth/)

So, while the act of cutting the tree was shameful, his being accountable for it brought nobility to him.  Perhaps it is this kind of character that enabled him to be our first President of these United States.

Instead of concealing their thoughts about John the Baptist, the chief priests and scribes should have just told our Lord Jesus that they truly believed his Baptisms were from heaven. God did ask Cane where his brother Able was. God was giving him a chance to be truthful. God will also ask you about what you have done.  What Cherry tree have you chopped at lately? Want to be President one 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 Monday of Holy Week: Year 2

Psalm 51:1-18(19-20); Psalm 69:1-23 Lam. 1:1-2,6-12; 2 Cor. 1:1-7; Mark 11:12-25

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” (2 Corinthians 1: 3 – 4)

When I read these biblical passages I always try to seek out the timeless messages, those passages that are still relevant for us today.  Paul identifies God as “Father of mercies and the God of all consolation.” He goes on to say that as God consoles us, we then are able to console others. This consolation that God blesses us with is truly a blessing.  And just like God told Abram, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2 – 3)  So I see this divine consolation as God’s blessing that comes upon us and then we are to console others.

Consoling, that is, the blessing of the other, is so important today.  We need to be spiritually present with our neighbors.  Perhaps being spiritually present is another way we can be with people during this time of physical separation. A phone call, a text message, an email, any form of spiritual consolation we can do means a lot to someone suffering from loss of work, fearing sickness, stuck in their home and are at their wits end.  Our neighbors need us and we need them, now more than ever.

God has blessed you with the blessing of consolation.  Some of it is for you, be blessed and wear it like a new suit. But some of what God has given you is for you to give to someone else. See who God puts in your path or on your mind today and give them that consolation that God gave you for 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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Holy Week: Year 2

Psalm 51:1-18(19-20); Psalm 69:1-23 Lam. 1:1-2,6-12; 2 Cor. 1:1-7; Mark 11:12-25

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” (2 Corinthians 1: 3 – 4)

When I read these biblical passages I always try to seek out the timeless message, those passages that are still relevant for us today.  Paul identifies God as “Father of mercies and the God of all consolation.” He goes on to say that as God consoles us, we then are able to console others. This consolation that God blesses us with is truly a blessing.  And just like God told Abram, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2 – 3)  So I see this divine consolation as God’s blessing that comes upon us and then we are to console others.

Consoling, that is, the blessing of the other, is so important today.  We need to be spiritually present with our neighbors.  Perhaps being spiritually present is another way we can be with people during this time of physical separation. A phone call, a text message, an email, any form of spiritual consolation we can do means a lot to someone suffering from loss of work, fearing sickness, stuck in their home and are at their wits end.  Our neighbors need us and we need them, now more than ever.

God has blessed you with the blessing of consolation.  Some of it is for you, be blessed and wear it like a new suit. But some of what God has given you is for you to give to someone else. See who God puts in your path or on your mind today and give them that consolation that God gave you for 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

Eucahristic Readings for Palm Sunday: Year A

Matthew 21:1-11  Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29  The Liturgy of the Word  Isaiah 50:4-9a  Psalm 31:9-16

 Philippians 2:5-11  Matthew 26:14- 27:66

“Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.” (Matthew 26:23)

What a shift from four days ago.  As Jesus entered Jerusalem four days ago people were hailing him King of kings and Lord of lords.  And now, at one of Christianity’s most important sacraments, Holy Communion, at the table, our Lord Jesus says, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.”  And Judas will do this dirty deed with a kiss later after supper and after our Lord Jesus attends prayer three times. 

We truly are a fickle breed.  Too many of us tend to go the way of the loudest rhetoric.  There is not enough personal thinking and praying happening in our lives. Again, I go back to Blaise Pascal’s quote, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” 

All of us have personal responsibility for how we go forward.  Most of the time in the Bible, when a crowd makes a decision, it’s the wrong decision, like melting down our gold and making a golden calf to worship.  I have a poster of an old monk walking alone and the caption reads, “It is better to walk alone, than with a crowd going in the wrong direction” by Diane Grant. We each should carefully think about each next step we take.  Be hesitant about loud rhetoric. Listen to the Spirit of God and celebrate the coming of the King of Kings and Lord of lords.

Today is Palm Sunday (Celebratory) and Passion Sunday (Grief).  Should we be both? If not, which one are you?

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 5^th Sunday of Lent: Year 2

Psalm 137:1-6(7-9), 144; PM Psalm 42, 43 Exod. 10:21-11:8; 2 Cor. 4:13-18; Mark 10:46-52

“So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.” (Mark 10:50)

This is the healing story of blind Bartimaeus son of Timaeus who asks for his sight again.  What is often kind of glossed over is Bartimaeus throwing off his cloak.  Think about it, if you are blind you become well aware of keeping up with things so that you can put your hands on it again. I have my sight and still, I lose things all the time, my keys, my phone, my glasses, many things.

Bartimaeus, knowing he has the opportunity to stand (or kneel) before our Lord Jesus, throws off his cloak.  He lets go of his “security blanket” knowing that being before Jesus will make all things new.

The same is true for us today. The only way we can put our whole trust in our Lord Jesus is to let go of false security.  Our Lord Jesus asks us today, What is it that we want Him to do for us?  What say yee? 

A couple of notes for today:

1. Today we remember the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  As I have already remembered him in my January 15^th Pondering blog on his birthday, I will let that be.

2. In my readings of the Christian mystics and ponderings, I have come up with three words that I want to guide my life: they are Humility, Moderation and Execution.  I may say more about these 3 words as I progress. I just want to mention them now while they are on my mind.

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 5^th Sunday of Lent: Year 2

Psalm 95 [for the Invitatory] 22; Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12) Exod. 9:13-35; 2 Cor. 4:1-12; Mark 10:32-45

“They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid.” (Mark 10:32)

Here we have our Lord Jesus leading the pack to his own torture and death.  He is very much aware of his imminent pain and suffering and yet he leads the way. The brothers James and John are going to request places of honor in the kingdom of Jesus.  Jesus informs them that those places are determined by God Almighty.  The rest of his group becomes angry when they find out what James and John were up to.  Jesus gives them the lesson about the upside down world of honor in the kingdom of heaven.  He explains that it is those who serve others who are the most honored in the kingdom. 

Our Lord Jesus tells them (and us) that the worldly demand of harsh leadership which demands to be pleased no matter the costs is not who we are.  We are to lead in loving ways.  We are to lead by caring for those whom we lead.  We then, are to be emulators of the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus himself.

If we all really treated others with respect and dignity two wonderful things might happen.  First, more people would get the help and or service they need. Second, by helping others we teach the lesson of loving others as ourselves. Such service is work of love; it is the loving work of the Holy Spirit.

This continues to be a very trying time.  It is our normal time of Lent for the Church. And on top of our normal penitential time, we have the onslaught of Covid 19. Covid 19 brings with it real devastating outcomes. It is the sickness itself; it is the loss of income for many due to isolation; and it is the depression of being cooped up in our homes all the time.

Our Lord Jesus was leading the way to a much worse destination. And he is out front ahead of the pack, setting the example.  As Christians, and as his followers, we too need to lead the way in the sufferings of enduring the sickness if it befalls us, helping those in need if we can; and dealing with our closed-in living with prayer spiritual studies.  In our exhortation into Lent (page 316 of our Book of Common Prayer) it says that this is a time for us to prepare to come back to the Church. The thought of that pleases me so much.

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