Author: John Thomas Frazier

Readings for Dorcas of Jopa

Acts 9:36–42 Psalm 1 Matthew 25:31–46

“Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas.^* She was devoted to good works and acts of charity.” (Acts 9:36)

The first thing I notice is that this is a female disciple or student.  We should be thankful to Luke for lifting up Dorcas so that we can see the inclusiveness of Christianity from the beginning of the Church.  The second thing I notice is that while she is a student of the Way, she was also devoted to good works and acts of charity.

I have learned that Dorcas, her Greek name, as well as Tabitha, her Aramaic name, means gazelle.  This might explain why in the translation of her name the animal has two distinct names for each language.  When I ponder about gazelles I see a fleet footed grazer that does little harm to the earth while playing an important part in moving seeds around and fertilizing the plains not to mention the grace and beauty inherent in the creature.

I wonder about what kind of animal would I be called today of I had to have an animal name.  Perhaps because of the way we waste the earth and do little to maintain it “human” is the worst name we could be called.  No animal would want to be called human and we aren’t good enough to shame another animal’s name for ourselves. So our gazelle or “Dorcas” was good to others as she learned about Jesus from Peter and was raised from the dead by him. (Acts 9:40)

Dorcas made clothing. Perhaps she was the fashion setter of her day. She was a working student or disciple.  Our take-away from Dorcas is that we too should be creative, lifelong learners who give much more than we take and be given to good works and charity.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42 Ezra 1:1-11; 1 Cor. 16:1-9; Matt. 12:15-21

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: you should follow the directions I gave to the churches of Galatia. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so that collections need not be taken when I come.”  (1 Corinthians 16: 1 – 2)

Paul instructs the early church families weekly (on the first day of the week); to put aside whatever extra money they can to be collected at a designated time.

Charitable giving has always been one of the missions of the church.  And even though we live within governments that maintain support systems for the needy, our governmental bureaucracy often prevents the needed resources from going to those most in need.

Our Church will always need to provide for those who “fall through the cracks” so to speak.  If we don’t plan to intentionally look at our giving and be deliberate in putting money aside, those in need will be forgotten. Too often the government suspects wrong doing while the church supports right doing. This is the designated time of the year we ponder our giving for 2020. 

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48 Lam. 2:8-15; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Matt. 12:1-14

“I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.”  (Matthew 12:6)

In this section of the Gospel of Matthew Jesus redefines what it means to respect the Sabbath and even the moderate reverence we should hold regarding brick and mortar houses of worship.

The real Holy of Holies is the mercy and love we have for one another.  Our love and mercy for each other is more important than sacred bread, sacred buildings or sacred days.  We can bake more bread and bless it.  We can build more buildings and bless them.  We can wait and another day of Sabbath will come.  But if we don’t bless one another with love and mercy we may never overcome the barrier that denies us eternal life.  For as we give love and mercy so too we receive love and mercy.  Unlike buildings, bread and special days, love and mercy are eternal. Love and mercy will not crumble over time as will bread and buildings.  And as for days, love and mercy has days that will never end.  

Jesus reminds them (and us), “But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”  (Mathew 12: 7 – 8)  So we all must understand that what we are capable of (love and mercy), is far greater and more important than anything else we can have, or do, or make for ourselves.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39 Lam. 1:1-5(6-9)10-12; 1 Cor. 15:41-50; Matt. 11:25-30

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11: 29)

I used to interpret “taking Jesus’ yoke” as me wearing it by myself.  I thought this until I looked into the word yoke.  Yoke, at least in one understanding, is an instrument used to tether two work animals together to do the agricultural work of tilling the soil. Yokes are used to harness two draft animals together in order to pull heavy loads.

So now when I hear Jesus inviting me to take his yoke upon me I hear an invitation to join him in doing the work of ministry.  Further, it is by being yoked with Jesus that I learn from him.  I now realize that when Jesus sent out his apostles to heal and cast out demons, he sent then out yoked.

This idea of being yoked carries with it the idea of learning from Jesus through being yoked with another believer.  If we partner with someone whom we respect for their steadfast belief in God in Christ Jesus we learn from them, and they from us.  When we partner together with someone we often switch places with them as mentor and protégé; as master and apprentice; as teacher and disciple. In this sharing we both benefit from Jesus working through us. But we must remember how Jesus teaches.  He says he is “gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  With Jesus’ method of teaching, our yoked learning is win – win. Find Jesus in someone today and yoke with them for the work of ministry.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15 Jer. 44:1-14; 1 Cor. 15:30-41; Matt. 11:16-24

“Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for human beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.”  (1 Corinthians 15:39)

Paul basically separates the animal groups such as Mammals, birds, fish and so forth.  He was probably ahead of his time.  I like his view that all human beings are of one flesh.

I have felt this way for a long time, since my anthropology class in undergraduate school. Our instructor explained that in his view there is no such thing as race. Further, race he said, is a human construct by which we show difference among humans and where there is difference there are those who may be considered “better” or “worse” than others.

His view, and perhaps Paul’s view, is that since any man or woman among us may have children together, we are one species.  God came among us born of Mary as one of us in this human species.  Paul will go on to talk about the planting of this body (in death) in order that we will be transformed into a spiritual body but even then we will be of one spiritual type. Paul says, “It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:44).

I believe all humanity needs to have a greater appreciation of who we are and our place in the universe.  We have the potential to be the balance of universal peace in all of God’s creation.  But it must start with us here on this planet our island home. Then no matter what we may encounter beyond our sphere of existence, be they bird, fish, insect or reptile, we will infect them not with disease or pollutants, but with love and peace.  However, all charity starts at home.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 24 Year C

Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 119:97-104  2 Timothy 3:14-4:5  Luke 18:1-8

“And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?  I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”” (Luke 18: 7 – 8)

This parable is so much like the parable about the man who received guests but with nothing to feed them.  He went to his neighbor’s door at midnight and knocked and asked for something to feed his guests. At first the neighbor refused and said that he and his children had gone to bed.  But Jesus says that because the man in need is persistent he will get up and give him whatever he needs.  (Luke 11: 5 – 8)  We humans are hard wired to give in to requests. It is perhaps in this way that we are created in God’s Image.

I think prayer is a state of being.  Inwardly we all ask ourselves what is my life all about.  What does God want of me?  We have fancy words for this kind of seeking.  We call it discernment.  We ask what our “call” is. But we also ask for our needs to be filled.  All of us stand in the need of prayer.

We may not want to admit it but we are born to beg.  God wants to hear our requests. If we are begging God for something, it means that we at least believe in God.

So when the Son of Man comes will he come as a result of prayer,  prayer brought on by faith?  Because you see, the genesis of prayer is faith.  Therefore, where there is prayer there already has to be faith.

We can have faith and yet not pray.  But if we pray it is evident that we believe, and therefore have faith.  And it is through that very faith that we pray.  Jesus wants to know if we will have faith when he comes- when he comes to answer our prayers. You are people of faith.  Therefore, pray, and pray always.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 23 Year 1

AM Psalm 20, 21:1-7(8-14); PM Psalm 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117 2 Kings 25:8-12,22-26; 1 Cor. 15:12-29; Matt. 11:7-15

“As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someonedressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” (Matthew 11: 7 – 9)

Jesus explains to the people that they have to be open to how God is working with people without any preconceived notion about what to expect.  God uses those who will let God use them.

All through scripture we see a God who surprises us. We see a God who blesses us through one man (Abraham) who dares to put to death his own son in obedience to God in Genesis.  We see a God who finds a way through the sea when the Israelites thought they were doomed by the onrush of the Egyptians in Exodus. We see a God who comes to us for our salvation as a human baby born of Mary in the Gospel.  Yes, God works with us to save us. And yet, the only thing we can be sure of is that we don’t know how God will act next.

We need not go anywhere to look for anything.  God will use you or me wherever we are as God sees fit if you or I will surrender to God like Abraham, Moses, and Mary for the sake of others as God did with John the Baptist in the wilderness.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Saint Luke

AM: Psalm 103; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Luke 1:1-4 PM: Psalm 67, 96; Isaiah 52:7-10; Acts 1:1-8

Today we remember St Luke.  I share with you the opening of his Gospel and the Opening of the Acts of the Apostles.

“Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed.” (Luke 1: 1 – 4)

“In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying^* with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.”  (Acts 1: 1 – 4)

There is no doubt among scholars that the same hand wrote both books of the Bible. He gave us a lot in terms of the Nativity and special parables and stories and an Easter experience.  That’s a lot considering he was not an Apostle only a student of Paul who took good notes..

From James Kiefer:  “Almost all that we know about Luke comes from the New Testament. He was a physician (Col 4:14), a companion of Paul on some of his missionary journeys (Acts 16:10ff; 20:5ff; 27-28). Material found in his Gospel and not elsewhere includes much of the account of Our Lord’s birth and infancy and boyhood, some of the most moving parables, such as that of the Good Samaritan and that of the Prodigal Son, and three of the sayings of Christ on the Cross: “Father, forgive them,” “Thou shalt be with me in Paradise,” and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.””

Thank you Dr. Luke

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 23 Year 1

AM Psalm 18:1-20; PM Psalm 18:21-50 Jer. 38:1-13; 1 Cor. 14:26-33a,37-40; Matt. 10:34-42

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” (Matthew 10:40)

We Christians too often forget that we carry Jesus within us. Whether we greet old friends as Jesus did upon his return to Nazareth where they rejected him, or, as he met new people on his traveling ministry, he was loving and kind.   If we truly profess Jesus as Savior and yes, Master, then we should try as best we can to be like him.

But just as we have Jesus in us through the swallowing of his body and blood, so too Jesus comes as a spiritual Trojan Horse with God, the Creator inside him.  So that means that as Christians we have Jesus in each of us and also God who is of the same substance as Jesus himself.  It’s complicated but the long and short of it is that we are all more than we seem to be.  Each Christian contains Jesus and within that Jesus is the I AM of Creation!  Yes, in you, you who are reading this blog.

Jesus says that “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”  We have an awesome privilege and responsibility.  We are the perfect little trinity. We are who we are but in addition to who we are we also have the Lord Jesus inside us to guide us into all love and perfection.  And within the Holy Presence of Jesus inside us is The ONE who started and maintains all that is.  What does this make you think about yourself?  The spark of creation resides in you somewhere. All the mysteries of the universe are already contained in you.  Perhaps this is why Jesus says every time there is a healing done for someone, (he never says that he did it) he says to them, and to us, “Your faith has made you well.”

Through our Christian faith, Jesus manipulates the God piece in us to give us the healing we need. We then must go out into the world and be present to others so that the Jesus in us at least gets the opportunity to meet the Jesus in the other.  Thank You Jesus.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 23 Year 1

AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14 Jer. 37:3-21; 1 Cor. 14:13-25; Matt. 10:24-33

“Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.” (1 Corinthians 14:13)

One of my greatest experiences was to be in Greek class at Virginia Theological Seminary 14 years ago and begin learning and understanding Biblical Greek.  Written on the outside of our workbook was the Greek inscription, “Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος. (In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and God was the Word.” (John 1:1)  I could feel the Holy Spirit overshadow me as I unwrapped the meaning of these ancient words. 

Even as I am typing out this post I am preparing to participate in our Wednesday afternoon Spanish Bible Study.  It is always informative to hear scripture in a different tongue. New meanings are made manifest and “adjusted” direction is often given to me.

When I was in Israel last year I got to mingle with people from all over Europe. Many of them spoke to one another in their, or the other’s, language.  I was amazed. While having fun with me a person from France told me (in English) that a person who speaks three languages is called Tri-lingual; likewise a person who speaks two languages is called Bilingual. However he said, a person who speaks only one language is called American.  Ha, ha I replied. Sadly, there is truth in it.

The more ways we can speak, or at least read, about God the more ways we can interpret the Word of God. Paul says “Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.” In the beginning was the Word, whether in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish or English or any human language, The Word of God is God from before the beginning of time. Perhaps it would do us (Americans) good to see how others speak of God and of the wonders of Jesus. When I do it I gain new insight.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+