Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Monday 4 March 2019

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15;  Deut. 6:10-15; Heb 1:1-14;  John 1:1-18

John

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

My Pondering:

This is the opening of the Gospel of John.  It is Trinitarian in that it is Word, with God, is God!  But what we must take away from this is that it is “Word” not book (Bible)!  In the beginning is the Word, not the Bible.  There is a difference.

The experiences of our relationship with God and God Incarnate was just that, Godly experiences. It was word of mouth about the Word of God.  Later we would put these experiences down in writing.  Perhaps first for Christians in Aramaic, the spoken language of Jesus and later in Greek the language of an occupied Middle East.  But in all translated recordings there are gaps, misrepresentations and mistakes due to languages that do not have words that fit the exact meanings.

Later, the Greek was translated into Latin, and sometime later the Latin into our early English.  And now, into our American tongue and even that into various understandings, New International Version, King James, New Revised Standard Version, The Message and many, many others. And all of these are English translations, English translations that even the word smiths don’t agree on.

Many people hold to every word of the Bible.  But the Bible has flaws due to mistranslations, mistakes and bias of the translator. Having said this I still believe the Bible contains all things necessary for our salvation.  However, not everything in it is necessary for our salvation.  There is a difference.

All Biblically based faiths do a certain amount of picking and choosing about what words of the Bible they hold most sacred. This is especially true for New Testament or Christian faiths.  No exception.  We have to because of the contradictions therein contained.

What we can take real comfort in is that the Bible is only a written reflection of an interpretation of the Word that was with God and was God, and is God today.  The reading of the Bible must always be accompanied by loving prayer.  In this way we can truly hear what the Holy Spirit is really saying to God’s people. Loving prayer is our personal translator.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Eucharistic Readings for 3 March 2019

Exodus 34:29-35Psalm 99;   2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2;Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]

“Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.” (Luke 9: 30)

It has been explained to me that Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets.  Therefore, to Jesus, comes the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

This scene is further testified to by Peter to others in his second letter. (2 Peter 1:16-17)  As Moses and Elijah appeared before the time of Jesus on earth, it is now made evident before Peter, James and John, (and us) the resurrection of those who came before Jesus, making Jesus the first fruits of creation.

So how did Peter, James and John even know who the Moses and Elijah were?  There were no emails, or pictures that could have been shared. Perhaps this was another one of those examples where the Holy Spirit is filling in the gap of the unknown.

This radiance of Jesus is the last holy light we will see for while.  Ash Wednesday is fast approaching.  You won’t hear about it in the news or in the shopping centers.  The secular world goes from the hearts of Valentine’s Day to the chocolate rabbits of Easter.  No money to be made with people reflecting on who God is calling them to be, or the reconciliation of relationships, or repentance.

Moses obeyed God and went back to Egypt to lead God’s chosen out of bondage. Elijah and the prophets prophesied about the wrath to come if people didn’t change their ways.  Both were called to do dangerous work.  Both appeared before Jesus and were witnessed by the new followers, Peter, James and John, also called to do dangerous work. As you are Christian, you too are called to step out of your comfort zone and follow God’s call for the benefit of others.

We at St Paul’s in the Pines will switch to Rite I during Lent for both Sunday Services during Lent.  This is the Church in its purest form.  It is not about the market or sales or the latest thing.  It is about the cloud of unknowing filling in gaps of understanding providing reconciliation and opportunities for repentance.

Just a few sentences down in Luke’s Gospel we will be informed by that cloud that Jesus is God’s beloved son and that we are to listen to him. And listening means obeying. And Jesus says “Follow Him.”

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday 2 March 2019

AM Psalm 137:1-6(7-9), 144; PM Psalm 104Ruth 4:1-17; 2 Cor. 4:13-5:10; Matt. 6:1-6

2 Corinthians  

“So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16)

There is an existence beyond this existence. We all live in and discern this material world now.  But this is not the ultimate reality. The next existence will be an eternal existence!  We have all heard it said that as soon as we are born we begin the death process.  It sounds morbid, but there is much truth to it. These bodies are divinely designed to wear out.  I figured out in seminary that the most important work I was going to do as a priest is to conduct funerals for the faithful.  The leading theme of the Christian funeral is the Resurrection! Every funeral in the Episcopal Church is an Easter Service.  Whether he or she was remembered as good or bad they have left this existence.  What God does with them is far beyond my range of knowledge.  This truly is where we must “walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7 also part of today’s reading)

St Paul says that as our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  But I don’t think it does it by itself.  I believe we must put forth effort to try and be better people in the here and now.  We are building our next bodies.

“For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18)  This is Paul again prophesying about our next life.  “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”  (2 Cor. 5:1 also part of today’s reading)  Please pardon me here Paul but there is only one small modification I would suggest here and that is the word “if.”  You see, it is not “if” these bodies are destroyed… it is “when” these bodies are destroyed or just quit living as we know it. It is then that we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. But we need to be sending the body building material on ahead of us so that that new body will be waiting for us.  We do this by living more loving and godly lives in this life every day.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Daily Office Readings for Friday 1 March 2019

AM Psalm 140, 142; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12)Ruth 3:1-18; 2 Cor. 4:1-12; Matt. 5:38-48

2^nd Corinthians

“For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2^nd Corinthians 4:6)

In Paul’s second letter to the Church in Corinth he speaks of “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4) The god of this world is truly a small “g” god.  This is a god of toxic human relations without God (big “G”) involved.  This is a god of greed, of power, of lust, of bigotry and all kinds of isms. It is a god of darkness.

But we have a loving God who says, “Let shine out of darkness.”  You and I are told to take off the blinders and see. Believing in Jesus we have in our hearts the light of knowledge of the glory of God (big “G”).  We are the light that God wants to shine in this present day world with full understanding that this world is dark.  People are walking around often in blind rage only because they can’t see a better way – you!  Be that better way.  Be that light to the nations as spoke of in Luke 2:31 – 34. “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

This light of Christ is still so very relevant today, maybe even more relevant than it was two thousand years ago.  The darkness of isms (racism, sexism, ageism, nationalism, all isms are blinding us to what God wants for us.  But God has planted us here among the blind to be that light to the nations, all nations, all races, all sexes and genders and walks of life so that the whole world might see and be saved.  God loves and wants us all, every one, no exceptions.  Be that Light no matter how dark it seems to be where you are, because no matter where you are, God is with you.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Readings for  Anna Julia Haywood Cooper: Educator 1964

Psalm 119:33–40 Proverbs 9:1-6 Luke 4:14-21

Proverbs:

“Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.” (Proverbs 9:6)

It is not my custom to copy and paste an entire biography but the Episcopal Women’s History Project did such a wonderful job of reporting on Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, with detail and brevity, that I decided to just give it all to you and end with my comment.

Anna Julia Haywood Cooper (August 10, c1859- February 27, 1964). Educator, advocate and scholar. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina to an enslaved woman and a white man, presumably her mother’s master, Anna Julia was an academically gifted child and received a scholarship to attend St. Augustine Normal School and Collegiate Institute, a school founded by the Episcopal Church to educate African-American teachers and clergy. There she began her membership in the Episcopal Church. After forcing her way into a Greek class designed for male theology students, Anna Julia later married the instructor, George A.C. Cooper, the second African-American ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in North Carolina. After her husband’s death in 1879, Cooper received degrees in mathematics from Oberlin College, and was made principal of the only African American high school in Washington D.C.. She was denied reappointment in 1906 because she refused to lower her educational standards. Throughout her career, Cooper emphasized the importance of education to the future of African Americans, and was critical of the lack of support they received from the church. An advocate for African-American women, Cooper assisted in organizing the Colored Women’s League and the first Colored Settlement House in Washington, D.C. She wrote and spoke widely on issues of race and gender, and took an active role in national and international organizations founded to advance African Americans.  At the age of fifty-five she adopted the five children of her nephew. In 1925, Cooper became the fourth African-American woman to complete a Ph.D degree, granted from the Sorbonne when she was sixty-five years old. From 1930-1942, Cooper served as president of Frelinghuysen University. (From the Episcopal Women’s History Project)

There are many take-aways here but most notable is the idea that it is never too late to continue one’s education.  This is the idea of life-long-learning.  Cooper got her PhD when she was sixty-five.  I say keep the brain alive.
“Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight.” Thank you Jesus.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Readings for George Herbert: Priest and Poet (27 February 1633)

1 Peter 5:1–4    Psalm 23      Matthew 5:1-10

1 Peter:

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve” (1 Peter 5:2)

This message is from Peter to the Elders of the new Christian community.  But the whole of our Christian community constitutes the priesthood of all believers.  Therefore all Christians lay and ordained have the responsibility to care for the flock of the world, no matter what those sheep look like or think.  Today we remember George Herbert, Priest and Poet (27 February 1633)

“George Herbert read Morning and Evening Prayer daily in the church, encouraging the congregation to join him when possible, and ringing the church bell before each service so that those who could not come might hear it and pause in their work to join their prayers with his.”  (by James Kiefer)

For three years I read Morning Prayer at 6 am every morning.  Let me say that again;  I read Morning Prayer every day, for three years seven days a week.  I would often have one regular visitor, and some occasional visitors.  That effort came from studying people like Thomas Bray and George Herbert.

After a clergy conference and some spiritual direction with a cluster of priest, I was informed that traveling the round trip 26 miles with little to no response was not what Thomas Bray, George Herbert, or God intended.  Holding Morning Prayer in my home was just as significant as Morning Prayer at the church.  So I stopped the morning travels and continued my practice of Morning Prayer at home.  This practice lead to journaling, journaling led to facebook entries and face book postings led to this blog page.

Perhaps I should say that my spiritual direction with the priests really started it all.  When I do spiritual direction today I keep this in mind as I know that my time with others can have them take off in only God knows where.  We are all Christian Elders.  We are all shepherds of this flock on earth.  And God wants each and every one us to be willing and eager to serve.  George Herbert reminds us to remind others to join us whenever possible, in church if they can, but in prayer always.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

AM Psalm [120], 121, 122, 123; PM Psalm 124, 125, 126, [127] Ruth 1:15-22; 2 Cor. 1:12-22; Matt. 5:13-20

Ruth:

“But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die— there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.” (Ruth 1:16 – 18)

This passage from Ruth is probably one of the most precious words I have ever heard or read.  I am moved by Ruth’s close attachment to her mother-in-law.  But more than that, she found someone with something she wanted – something she has never seen before but worth getting and keeping no matter the cost.

Every human being should have another human being that they could put such hope and trust in. Naomi is not replacing God for Ruth, but Ruth sees something godly in Naomi, something she has not seen in any Moabite or other person ever. Perhaps something she didn’t see in her husband before he died, the son of Naomi.  But it is very important to Ruth that she not let it slip away from her, that she not let Naomi slip away from her, even to death.

I once read where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If a man has not found something he is willing to die for, he is not fit to live.”  My heroes change as I get older.  I now seek out the quiet, soft spoken wise ones. They no longer have to be big and tough. Toughness can come in small packages.  Naomi (or Ruth for that matter) will work just fine.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

AM Psalm 106:1-18; PM Psalm 106:19-48 Ruth 1:1-14; 2 Cor. 1:1-11; Matt. 5:1-12

Matthew:

“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” (Matt. 5:9)

Of the Beatitudes I tend to gravitate toward the peacemakers.  Most of the beatitude people are passive in nature, that is, they are in a passive state of being such as; poor in spirit, in a state of morning, meek, hungry, merciful, and have pure hearts but are persecuted.

Only the Peacemakers are initiating positive action and engaging others in the process.  They are not waiting to be victims although trouble may come to them. They are actively involved in making relationships better. They are putting themselves in the throes of trouble for the purpose of bringing the kingdom of heaven near to us.  They are doing relationship building that makes us look more like the Trinitarian God in Whose Image we are created; our God who is in relationship with God’s self and us.

To be a Peacemaker one must get out and be involved in the action of helping to resolve conflict and problems.  It can be frustrating work.  People fight about anything; race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, money, jealousy, politics, religion and a host of other minor issues.  And, they are all minor issues.

There is a lot of work to be done for peacemakers.  As peacemakers are called the children of God, this child’s work is never done.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Eucharistic Readings:

Genesis 45:3-11, 15Psalm 37:1-12, 41-421 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50Luke 6:27-38

Luke:

“Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

If we listen closely we will understand that Jesus is not speaking to everybody.  He is only talking to those of us who will “listen.”  And to listen in this context means to follow the inherent instruction.  The instruction is to love everybody which includes those you have issues with.

All of us know full well we can have issues with our family members as well as people we work with. Jesus makes it easy for our relationships to not be about us losing. We must have in the mind of our heart the words, “Let Love Lead” or (LLL). Love, Paul says, does not insist on its own way. (1 Cor. 13) In this way we don’t have to struggle with what response (or God forbid, retaliation) to do.  We just LLL.

Emotions are going to happen. We are human.  But we get to use the words that describe what we feel.  So let’s see; how about words like frustration and disappointment?  When anger tries to kick in, deny it, do not make room in your heart for it.  Say no to anger but instead go into your vocabulary closet and pick out something more suitable, more Jesus-like to wear. Outfits like the dark suits of frustration or disappointment will work nicely for such occasions. Donate anger to Good Will. (pun intended)

Frustration and disappointment heal quickly and never leave the realm of love.  And please know that God has already gifted us with the capacity to love everybody.  If you can be frustrated or disappointed with certain people like family and friends, you can be frustrated or disappointed with all people. If you can love certain people like family and friends, you can love all people.  Love is an inexhaustible resource not a scarcity.

Are you listening? Remember, Jesus is only talking to those of us who are listening. And his message is LLL.  Thank You Jesus.

 Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

AM Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13); PM Psalm 33Isa. 66:1-6; 1 Tim. 6:6-21; Mark 12:35-44

Mark

“Then he called his disciples and said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.” (Mark 12:43)

Many of us are very familiar with the story of the poor widow who put in the two coins.  This is regularly a good stewardship lesson about giving to the church no matter how little you think you have.  But there is a much more important message taught here.

Jesus called his disciples to him in the first place to see, to behold this neglected woman.  She is living in a time when women were even less cared for in the so called men’s world than they are today.  We still have much work to do to bring about total equality for women. But this woman, of a deceased husband, refuses to just shrink into obscurity.  By her presence she declares to the town “I AM HERE, I AM A MEMBER OF YOU!”

We must recognize her.  We must take care of her. We must include her in work, in play and in worship.  Jesus calls our attention to look past the amount she puts in.  Jesus makes us look at her hand as she releases the coins and then let our eyes follow up her sleeve to see her face.  We must claim her face, love her, and include her.  She demands it and so does Jesus. This woman is in our midst today still writing small checks insisting that she is a member of us. And she is. Thank You Jesus.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people and “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.