Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Thursday Proper 10 of Year 1

AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42 1 Samuel 20:24-42; Acts 13:1-12; Mark 2:23-3:6

“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath” (Mark 2: 27)

So God brought us into the world and then set up ways for us to live. Even from the Genesis story we learn that all was in place before we got here. (Genesis 1)  This earth is our life-support system.

But even so, there are requirements that have to be met in order for this earth to continue to support us. And there are worship tools in place to ensure we do not forget God who is making it all possible.  One such tool is the Sabbath, that is, down time, in order to regulate our lives so that we might fully be who we are called to be.

Beyond the Sabbath, we have recorded our history with God in our Holy Writings, the Bible.   The Bible is not to be worshiped itself but is used as a worship tool in order that we might remember God in a continual study of Who God is and our relationship with God.

We also have our Books of Common Prayer and Icons, and Prayer Beads, and Music and the list goes on and on.  Among the list of the Sabbath sacred are our worship spaces that we too often over emphasize. Jesus points this out in the same passage we have for today, “And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need of food?  He entered the house of God, when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and he gave some to his companions.” (Mark 2: 25 – 26)   Again, if we did not exist, our churches, synagogues, masques nor their products would have meaning.  God made us the priority.  We are the real sacred.

The building up and completion of our place to live, the earth, reaches its apex with our arrival. After our arrival, we have the Sabbath with which we are commanded to observe for the physical, mental and spiritual health of our bodies and souls.  But these things were put in place for our benefit, not us for the benefit of the Sabbath and other worship tools that have no meaning if we do not exist in the first place.

The Sabbath should not be taken likely however.  It is a Commandment of God for us to observe a Sabbath.  It is given to us for our wellbeing.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  John+

Readings for Bishop William White, Bishop of Pennsylvania and First Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States 17 July1836.

Psalm 84:7-12Jeremiah 1:4-10John 21:15-17

“No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity.” (Psalm 84:11)

I am stepping away from my usual walk through the Lectionary to pay special attention to the legacy of Bishop William White. “William White was born in Philadelphia, March 24, 1747, and was educated at the college of that city, graduating in 1765. In 1770, he went to England, was ordained deacon on December 23, and priest on April 25, 1772. On his return home, he became assistant minister of Christ and St. Peter’s, 1772–1779, and rector from that year until his death, July 17, 1836. He also served as chaplain of the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1789, and then of the United States Senate until 1800.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses July 17)

I hope you will share with me the courage and faith it must have taken in those days to literally follow defeated British ships back to England and ask the former enemy to consecrate priests as bishops.  White was not the first. Samuel Seabury went in 1784 but to his credit would not accept words that made the Colonies and the Office of Bishop subject to the King of England.  So he went to Scotland where he was consecrated Bishop.  Finally, in 1787, William White of Pennsylvania and Samuel Provost of New York were Consecrated Bishops.  The Colonies had long asked for a Bishop but it was never granted.  This new upstart Episcopal Church did not want to just start a new beginning.  This One Holy and Apostolic Church maintained the Laying on of hands from Jesus through the Apostles, through the Popes of Rome, through the Bishops of the Church of England.  And now war was not about to sever that ancient lineage. So it was most important to do what one had to do to maintain that connection. William White put fear aside.  “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:8)

At least one other point I would like to share about Bishop White is his ordaining Absalom Jones to the priesthood, Jones, a former slave and first African American Priest of the Episcopal Church.  While Jones was ordained to serve an African American parish, he was nonetheless officially ordained using the same words and Bishop (and hands) as any other priest of this Church (Black or White).  “No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity.” (Psalm 84:11)

Bishop White was the chief architect of the Constitution of the American Episcopal Church and the wise overseer of its life during the first generation of its history. He was the Presiding Bishop at its organizing General Convention in 1789 and again from 1795 until his death in Philadelphia, on July 17, 1836. (Great Cloud of Witnesses July 17)

You and I too must step out in courage and faith to do whatever is right to do knowing that no good thing will the Lord withhold from those who walk with integrity.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John+

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday Proper 10 of Year 1

AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39; 1 Samuel 19:1-18; Acts 12:1-17; Mark 2:1-12

Psalm 39: 1 – 5

1 I said, “I will keep watch upon my ways, *
so that I do not offend with my tongue.

2 I will put a muzzle on my mouth *
while the wicked are in my presence.”

3 So I held my tongue and said nothing; *
I refrained from rash words;
but my pain became unbearable.

4 My heart was hot within me;
while I pondered, the fire burst into flame; *
I spoke out with my tongue:

5 Lord, let me know my end and the number of my days, *
so that I may know how short my life is.

My Pondering

Perhaps enough cannot be said about monitoring and keeping control of our mouths.  James, of our New Testament, writes on this very problem. He says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9 – 10)

Sadly, we have devolved into a people who give adoration to those who can better curse the other.  This is very sad but I as a person will do all in my power to not praise evil, retaliation, revenge, or any kind of one-ups-man-ship. Perhaps even sarcasm comes under this category. Sometimes funny isn’t funny at all.

As a child I was taught that if I couldn’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.  But from what I read of the Psalmist he couldn’t hold on. He “burst into flame and spoke out with his tongue.” I’m afraid I sometimes do the same also.  I ‘m not proud of it but it happens. Sometimes when we witness stupid stuff our “pain becomes unbearable” and we shoot from the hip with reckless lips. 

These misgivings and weaknesses are the sins that I ask forgiveness for every night in bed. It was St. Paul who said “That that I want to do, I don’t do, and that that I don’t want to do, I do.”  (Romans 7)  Dear Paul, I think I’m cut from the same cloth.

Praise God from whom all mercy flows.  Thank You Jesus.   John+

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 5^th Week of Pentecost Proper 10 of Year 1

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15 1 Samuel 18:5-16,27b-30; Acts 11:19-30; Mark 1:29-45

“And the women sang to one another as they made merry, Saul has killed his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’ Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him. He said, ‘They have ascribed to David tens of thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands; what more can he have but the kingdom?’ So Saul eyed David from that day on. The next day an evil spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand; and Saul threw the spear, for he thought, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’ But David eluded him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him but had departed from Saul. So Saul removed him from his presence, and made him a commander of a thousand” (1 Samuel 18:7 – 13)

I know I bit off a lot here but I feel I need to unpack this in my pondering. Primarily it is the issue of jealousy.  It shows its ugly head in several places in the Bible, Cane and Able in early Genesis, Eli and Samuel in 1^st Samuel, and in the story of the Prodigal Son of chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke.  While jealousy does not separate us from the love of God, it blinds us from realizing it.  The love of God is not a scarce resource; there is more than enough to go around. God always does and acts for what is best for the community.  If I am someone God can use, good.  If not, then I should be happy reaping the benefits of whoever God chooses to lead (or redeem in the case of the Prodigal).

I don’t believe God has an evil spirit.  This is where I take a stand against some of the writings of the Bible. The people who wrote scripture are people just like me and subject to misunderstanding just like me.

David seems to play the stringed instrument every day. “David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. (v. 10) David was a shepherd and a poet and a musician.  While he had faults, including jealousy (thinking of Bathsheba and Uriah) he was a gentle soul whom God wanted to lead the Israelites. Saul seems to have kept his hands on a weapon – a spear and apparently threw it at David twice.  Saul put David in charge if troops and sent him out to battle, perhaps hoping he would be killed, a lesson not lost on David who would later send Uriah out to his death.

Jealousy robs us of our freedom to be who God wants us to be.  When we are concerned about what someone else has we make ourselves more and more without. We would do well to just let be what is and turn our attentions to whatever makes us better human beings.  While God will choose to lead who God will choose, the rest of us are not forgotten.  We are loved by God.

The same is true in society.  Some of us are chosen to be in certain positions by people who hopefully are doing what they think is best, if so, good. In any case, jealousy should not be the go-to feeling we develop because we were not chosen. We must focus on the doors that are open, not the ones that are closed and locked. We all have gifts from a loving God in whom there is nothing evil.

Let is hear what the Spirit is saying to (and through) God’s people. John+

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday, July 14, 2019 Year C Track I

Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37

“Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”  (Amos 7:14-15)

Amaziah thought he knew who Amos was.  He thought Amos was one who made his living as a Prophet, but he was wrong. I am a lot like Amaziah, a cynic. I always look for the “what’s in it for the person proposing the deal.”  Mechanics want to do diagnostics on your car that cost you but brings in money for them.  The same is true for the medical field. They want to run “procedures” for which they will be paid to do.  Financial advisors charge you to do your budget; personal trainers workout all day anyway and want you to pay for it.  Why don’t they all get jobs like everybody else? Yes, I’m a cynical mess.  Why can’t people have regular jobs and do their personal helping on the side.

Amos tells him that he was of the working class with no intention of being a preacher.  But God intervened into his life with a mission.  God has to find those of us who are not trying to be special to do the special work of salvation.

From the Gospel reading for today Jesus tells of the Samaritan who finds a wounded man left for dead on the side of the road.  The Samaritan is not necessarily a doctor but cared about human life. He tended to the man and made provisions for his continued care. (Luke 10)  The very people entrusted with the care of the people (the Priest and the Levite) pondered the negative consequences to themselves and avoided contact with the wounded man. They pondered the “what’s in it for me?” question.  See what’s wrong with being a cynic?

You know, the reality is that it doesn’t matter what your vocation is. Some of the most loving and caring people in the world are doctors, mechanics, and financial advisors.  I know all of mine by name and truly believe they have my best interest at heart.  I don’t have a personal trainer; I do that myself, “on the side.”   If your mind is set on being a productive citizen who cares about others, you are someone who can be used by God to influence those who have not seen the light that you are already walking in. And like Amos, you too may be called from your own work to do the saving work of God.  This also happened to Paul who was tent maker, but he never stopped being a tent maker. Peter, even after the Resurrection, said, “I’m going fishing.” (John 21:3)  This was his vocation from the beginning. So one could argue his teaching and preaching was in addition to his fishing, not instead of.  This is truly something to ponder.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Saturday Proper 9 of Year 1

AM Psalm 20, 21:1-7(8-14); PM Psalm 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117 1 Samuel 17:31-49; Acts 11:1-18; Mark 1:14-28

“So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?”  (Acts 11:2 – 3)

Both the reading in 1 Samuel and the Acts reading contain attitudes about circumcision.  In 1 Samuel David refers to Goliath as the uncircumcised. And in Acts the Jewish believers are trying to hold Peter accountable for eating with the uncircumcised Gentiles.

As a Christian I believe the only act that we can do that makes us different in the eyes of God is Baptism, and the operative word is different, not better.  Baptism, unlike circumcision, is performed on both males and females alike. But Baptism should not make us anti-social.  We are still obligated to treat others as brothers and sisters no matter what they believe or even whether or not they believe anything at all. All are children of God. But baptism has a special purpose.

The Baptized are called out from among the population to serve others and preach the Gospel in deed and word, in that order.  St Francis of Assisi is understood to have said, “Go forth and preach the Gospel and when necessary use words.” This implies that we are first to be doers of good deeds.  And as an explanation of such deeds, speak of the Gospel of Christ. 

   “William  Temple (One Time Arch Bishop of Canterbury) is widely regarded as the most brilliant Archbishop of Canterbury since St. Anselm of Canterbury and, alongside Frederick Denison Maurice, as one of its most eminent theological thinkers. Winston Churchill paid him tribute as “a sixpenny article in a penny bazaar.” One of his [Temple] more famous sayings is that: “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.” (https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/William_Temple) So not only do we eat with those who have not been baptized, we serve them. Thank you Bishop Temple. We therefore, are baptized into the service of all humanity through Jesus Christ.

Since we, the Baptized, make up the community of the Church, we not only do not ask “why” we are mixing with others, but we give God thanks for it happening. Those who have not been baptized, or taken it seriously, need us more than they know.  So if we are asked why we are mingling with non church people let us respond with the words of St. Peter, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)  As the baptized we are not called to shun people but to show people; not to sever people, but to serve people.

Therefore, let us hear what the Spirit is saying through (and to) God’s people.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Friday Proper 9 of Year 1

AM Psalm 16, 17; PM Psalm 22 1 Samuel 17:17-30; Acts 10:34-48; Mark 1:1-13

“I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night.” (Psalm 16:7)

I am one who ponders.  I meditate.  Like the Psalmist, much of my meditation is done at night before bed or in bed.  As I go over my day I ponder what was good and what was not so good.  I ask myself, what have I learned today.  Sometimes I learn a lot, sometimes, not so much.  I have come to the conclusion that if what I learn does not change my life, modify my behaviors or habits in some small way it was a waste of time and meditation.

This is how my heart teaches me night after night.  I think about the repeating messages that come to me from different people.  Most recently a friend visited me at the church to practice guitar.  I am blessed by his friendship and his love of guitar. My greatest take-away was his telling me to just practice a few minutes a day.  He said that’s enough for muscle memory to kick in and make it feel more natural.  This is more or less my paraphrasing of his words.  I find his words a God-sent message because one of our pianist told me the same thing about the piano.  This is not just about music, although I do believe there is a musical quality about God.

God often uses different people to bring us the same message. When the message is generic, that is, could be applied across a variety of topics, I ponder about how I can make use of such information. For example: could fifteen minutes a day be a good way to approach not only music, but reading, prayer, exercise, maintenance repairs, and yes, pondering itself.  The regularity of a few minutes a day is more about making a life change, about modifying your behavior and becoming a part of who you are. 

My guitar friend also said that if my plan for improving my guitar skills (or anything) is for more than just a few minutes a day I am more likely to tell myself that I don’t have the time necessary to do it at all and it results in not doing anything at all.  Again, this is good information. It is through incremental small steps that babies learn to walk. I find that as I exercise in the mornings I am able to increase the number repetitions I am able to do. Also,  I have a person that sits with me in spiritual companionship who says she is now able to sit for longer periods. I think that’s great but not the goal; nor is my increasing repetitions.  Just keeping the few minutes a day is good enough.

So this is how my pondering mind works.  This is why I like the words of the Psalmist where he says, “I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night.”  Very often the words you hear, especially the “repeated” words are tools that can be applied across different walks in your life. I am one who ponders.  I invite you to ponder about what God is saying to you through what you hear, and what you read, and what you see. Please know, God is at work in you.

And ponder anew what the Almighty is doing. John+

Daily Office Readings for Thursday Proper 9 of Year 1

AM Psalm 18:1-20; PM Psalm 18:21-50 1 Samuel 16:14-17:11; Acts 10:17-33; Luke 24:36-53

“And he said to them, ‘You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.” (Acts 10:28)

This passage follows up on yesterday’s message regarding no one is profane.  While the inclusiveness of food was used to illustrate this point, God’s message is clear.  All people are loved by God.  Peter recalls his message from God and how important all people are.

The important message here is to take the time to discern what God is saying about our human relationships.  We have plenty of human laws and customs and habits that attempt to control not only how we relate to others but also (and this is Peter’s situation) who we relate with.  We have laws and rules that monitor and limits who we can relate with.  God makes it clear that all people are the beloved of God and are not profane or even any less human than we are.  This is true no matter what language they speak, their nationality, their dress, their sexual orientation, or even what religion (or non religion) they profess or not.  We are not to judge, we are to love.  That’s all, just love others.  That is how we relate to others, all others.

Benedict of Nursia: July 11

Today we remember Benedict of Nursia.  He is considered the father of Western Monasticism.  I think what I like most about what he taught was the way he structured the day for his monks.  His example can be followed by us ordinary people as well. “Its average day provides for a little over four hours to be spent in liturgical prayer, a little over five hours in spiritual reading, about six hours of work, one hour for eating, and about eight hours of sleep. The entire Psalter is to be recited in the Divine Office once every week.  At profession, the new monk takes vows of “stability, amendment of life, and obedience.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for July 11)

More and more religious and non religious organizations are realizing the spiritual benefit of having a rule of life.  One could argue that the Ten Commandments are a rule of life. While some of the Ten Commandments are what to do, “Love God, Keep the Sabbath, Honor parents” etc.  Most of the Commandments are about what not to do, “Do not use the Lord’s Name in vain, do not steal, do not murder” etc.  Benedict’s Rule focused on the former, what one should do.  These rules, or vows as they were called, framed their words in such a way as to instruct the monk to remain within the community (Stability); to devote one’s self to prayer and study (Amendment of Life); and obeying the leadership (Obedience).  I think our own Baptismal Covenant provides a rule of life as it requires us to “respect the dignity of every human being.” (BCP 305) among other relational rules of life.  This is the same inclusiveness of God that Simon Peter learned and then proclaimed as he stood before Cornelius, someone his legal system had prevented him from having a relationship with. Relationship restrictions are not God’s Way.

Therefore, let us hear what the Spirit is saying through (and to) God’s people. John+

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday Proper 9 of Year 1

AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Acts 10:1-16; Luke 24:12-35

“He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ He answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.”  (Acts 10:4)

Those of us who pray believe our prayers ascend up into the heavens.  And we believe God hears them.  But what about the alms we give?  What about the money we give to the needy?

It is obvious that money does not go up to heaven. However, the generosity, concern, commitment and care for the less fortunate is made manifest in a divine goodness that does go up the God.

Cornelius was a Roman army officer, theoretically in charge of a hundred men. “In New Testament times, an estimated ten per cent of the population of the Roman Empire consisted of God-fearers, Gentiles who recognized that the pagan belief in many gods and goddesses, who according to the myths about them were given to adultery, treachery, intrigue, and the like, was not a religion for a thoughtful and moral worshipper, and who had accordingly embraced an ethical monotheism — belief in One God, who had created the world, and who was the upholder of the Moral Law.” (James Kiefer)

When I first inquired about the Episcopal Church some forty plus years ago I read a brochure that said the Episcopal Church was a “thinking man’s church.”  Today it would probably say a “thinking person’s church.”  But the point is the same, a wise and thoughtful person who has realized that our existence is not just a random act and that all walks of human life are both needed and precious in God’s eyes will seek out a community of worshipers that fully inculcates the principles of loving God and neighbor with the full understanding that all people are our neighbors.

This neighborly inclusivity is brought to fruition in the food example shown to Simon Peter while he was in his trance.  The voice said to him to kill and eat various kinds of animals.  Peter initially refused because he was taught that some animals were unclean or profane.  Then, the voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’”  (Acts 10:15)

Perhaps it’s a jump with this metaphor but the writer of Acts sees this inclusiveness of food the same as the inclusiveness of people. No one is profane or unclean or not worthy of love and compassion. We are all God-made and God-loved. We are sent like Simon Peter to model that inclusive image.

Therefore, let us hear what the Spirit is saying through (and to) God’s people.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday Proper 9 of Year 1

AM Psalm 5, 6; PM Psalm 10, 11 1 Samuel 15:24-35; Acts 9:32-43; Luke 23:56b-24:11

“Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.” (Acts 9:40)

This is truly remarkable.  Simon Peter, a former fisherman, now theologian, healer, and miracle worker. Through Jesus, Peter was able to raise Tabitha (or Dorcas) from the dead.  Of special note is the fact that Peter didn’t seem to be impressed by what her friends wanted to show him as proof that she was a good person.  From the minute he was summoned his mind was set to bring her back. 

Before Peter performed this miracle he healed a man paralyzed for eight years.  Then he answered the call to Joppa.  He remained in Joppa for some time staying with yet another Simon who was a tanner.

It seems that Peter never forgot his own roots.  He preferred the company of the working class as opposed to royalty or persons of high degree.  This is happening even as he himself is becoming a person of high degree.  He is sought after from all over when believers are in trouble.

When we examine Peter’s formative years we see a man who denied Christ three times and was ashamed of himself for it.  Now he is dedicating the remaining years of his life to the service of Christ, not to pay-back good for his misdoings, but rather in total submission to his love for the same Jesus he once denied that he even knew.  As I type these words, the words of the middle verse of “Come thou fount of every blessing” come to mind.  Permit me please:

“Here I find my greatest treasure; hither by thy help, I’ve come; and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.  Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the fold of God; he, to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.” Words by Robert Robinson as found in our 1982 Hymnal number 686.

For me, these words not only sum up Peter’s experience but my own as well.  I was an un-churched Marine who discovered Jesus during a personal crisis.  I didn’t know I had a home beyond this earth to arrive at.  So through a friend whose name was Jeff  H.  I was led to the Episcopal Church and from there I was rescued from the dangers of this world.  This doesn’t mean I can’t get hurt, but I now know that I have the blessed assurance of eternal salvation.

Like Peter, I too was more of a blue-collar worker; I was a Mover (of household goods) like my Dad, and then a Marine and now a priest.  And like Peter I find myself comfortable with most anybody but still identify with the blue collar working class.  I too go to where I am called and pray for God in Christ to help me. I pray you who read this message do the same.

Let us praise God from whom all blessings flow.  John+