Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings:

AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72Isa. 59:1-15a; 2 Tim. 1:1-14; Mark 9:42-50

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.”  (2 Tim.1:5)

I was informed long ago in an undergraduate adolescent psychology class that most children gravitate towards the faith of their mother.  According to Paul this was true for Timothy. As a priest I can say with every confidence that it is the women of the church that keep the church going.  I also recall that even at the crucifixion of Jesus it was the women that went near the cross while the men followers huddled together in a locked room. Not meaning to be sexually biased here towards women but it is what it is.

In my own childhood life we were not a church going family. My dad would speak of God as the Creator that was “out there somewhere.”  My mom on the other hand would tell me that when things weren’t going well or there was a problem, to put it in Jesus’ hands.  She did insist on my sister and me going to St Vincent de Paul Catholic School.  That was very formative for me.

So, did God do something special with women such that they are more equipped to carry on the faith?  Not fair.  Oh well, I am thankful for all the faithful women in my life.  Thank you Jesus.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Ponder #12

I am sharing my two stars. So each star has five points.  Please look at earlier post to see the beginning.

The third point of the first star is “Keep Word.”  Language is a beautiful thing.  With language we get to let others know what we are thinking and what our intentions are.  We also let them know what to expect from us in terms of our obligation to them.

Just as God gives us God’s Word and keeps it, so also should we, being made in God’s Image, give our word and keep it.  Children under the supervision of parents count on the bonded word of relationship between parents, the promises they’ve made to be there.  This is their safety net.  More than that, relationships are sealed with words of promise that we hold as the assurance that we can count on our soul mate in sickness and in health till death do us part. When we borrow money we give our word that we will pay it back. We also give our word about caring for our community and our church.  Such promises should be given with every intention of fulfillment.  What good is our word if we don’t honor it?  If we want God to keep God’s Word about eternal life, and I know I do, then we too should keep ours about whatever we promise. Or, just be quiet altogether.

This is the third point of my first star and it requires a continuous effort to Keep our Word.

 “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

Daily Office Readings for 11 February 2019

AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79] Isa. 58:1-12; Gal. 6:11-18; Mark 9:30-41

“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.  But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me.”  (Mark9: 38 and 39)

Often our parish will find ourselves with an unexpected opportunity.  From time to time we find ourselves gifted with cans of soup or clothing or some other item needed by the less fortunate.  And rather than create a new charitable program or re-invent the wheel, we will see if there is another church out there already doing this kind of work and hand off what we have to their effort.  It is the same Jesus and in the same Jesus’ Name. The same should be done with an individual effort.  If we see someone casting out the demons of poverty or loneliness we should find away to assist them, not compete with them.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Ponder #11

I am sharing my two stars. My stars each have five points.  If you are just joining, you can look at previous blogs to catch the beginning.

The second point of the first star is “Love All.”  This is the command of Jesus. It is not easy.  Some people are really skilled at being unlovable.  But we are called to love them anyway. God made us in a loving way.  I love my children, all of whom are grown now, but still my babies. I have come to realize that I can love all children.  I now love all the children of our parish.  And have come to realize even further, that everybody is somebody’s child; and therefore, my child.  

Love is something that God gave us that does not run out.  We can start loving people and discover that the more we love people the more we are able to love all people. And while it is not easy for us to love all people, it is possible and it is amazing! I sometimes wonder why we are so stingy with an inexhaustible resource. It doesn’t hurt to love, in fact, it feels kind of good.

This is the second point of my first star and it requires a continuous effort to Love All.

“Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

Eucharistic Readings for 10 February 2019

Isaiah 6:1-8, [9-13]   Psalm 138  1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11

Luke Reflection:

“One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.” (Luke 5:1)

These are the words that are easy to overlook or in some way miss their importance.  Yes we could go on and talk about the abundance of obeying Jesus as made manifest in the overwhelming catch of fish caught by two boats.  But I think what we really need to look at is what the crowd of people realized, that the actual word of God was coming out of the mouth of Jesus who we know hopefully realize is the Word of God in human form!

So Jesus gets in a boat we think belongs to Simon Peter. So now we have the voice of God moving over the waters. We have fishermen catching more fish than needed so that they can take leave of their vocation to fulfill their calling.  The same is true for us today.  God blesses us abundantly and then calls us to bring in people to the presence of God, to the Voice of God.  The voice of God now moves in us.  We must do our jobs and answer our call.  Both will be blessed by God.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Ponder #10

For pondering I am going to share my stars. I have two.  My stars each have five points.  This is because I draw the stars from making the capital letter “A” and continuing from there.  And it comes out to five movements.  So each star has five points.

The first point of the first star is “Praise God.”  This is my wake-up call.  When I rise in the morning normally around 04:30, I sit up on the side of the bed and say “Thank You Jesus.”  To push this point further, I have one of those “Thank You Jesus” signs in my front yard.  When I open the blinds in the morning I see the sign (if it’s light out) .  As I live in a cul-de-sac there is no point in positioning the sign so that both-way traffic can read it.  There is no two way traffic.  So one side faces the house across the street and one side face me  so that when I open the blinds, there it is, “Thank You Jesus.” 

In addition to the sign I pray the Hymn “Lead Me, Guide Me Along the Way……”  I also express my praise in the Hymn “Praise to the Lord.”   My newest way of  Praise to God is to send this Blog, constructed the night before.  So this first point of the first star reminds me to praise God first thing in the Morning.  It is a blessing to wake up.  Nothing else is promised.

 “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

 “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

Mark

“Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved;^* listen to him!” (Mark 9:7)

This is the second time a voice came from heaven declaring Jesus as the beloved Son of God.  But this time it has the clause, “Listen to Him” added to it. We Christians love honoring Jesus and we should.  But honoring Jesus is best done by obeying him.  And in this passage the instruction to listen to him really means not only to listen to him but also to obey him. This is when we can use one of those Red Ink Bibles.  The red ink highlights everything that Jesus says.  Much of what Jesus says ends with the words “go” and do likewise or the implication thereof. Following such instruction honors Jesus and shows our commitment to the love of our Incarnate Creator.  We can’t or shouldn’t let the Word go into our ears on Sunday and then slip out again on Monday.  We must be Everyday, listening and obeying, Christians.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Ponder #8:

Josephine Margaret Bakhita Monastic 1947

Sirach 2:7–11 Psalm 91 Luke 6:27–36

Luke

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28)

“Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C., (ca. 1869 – 8 February 1947) was a Sudanese-Italian Canossian religious sister active in Italy for 45 years, after having been in a slave in Sudan.

During her 42 years in Schio, Bakhita was employed as the cook, sacristan and portress (door keeper) and was in frequent contact with the local community. Her gentleness, calming voice, and ever-present smile became well known. Her special charisma and reputation for sanctity were noticed by her order; the first publication of her story (Storia Meravigliosa by Ida Zanolini) in 1931, made her famous throughout Italy.” (Wikipedia)

Bakhita’s story just goes to show that we don’t have to give evil for evil. In fact, because we know how it feels to be abused or mistreated we should be less likely to do the same to anybody else.   I have suffered at the hands of a mean teacher when I attended Catholic School.  As such, I don’t want any student or child or person to undergo what I went through. Having said that I still love my time there and now believe that school was foundational for my spirituality, that teacher notwithstanding.  I personally would not be mean to anyone nor would I allow it to be done to anyone should I ever hear of it happening. Bakhita was employed as the cook, sacristan and portress after haven been an abused slave for many masters. Yet, she did not lose her respect for the dignity of people or herself.  She blessed those who cursed her and prayed for those who mistreated her; and so should we as Christians.

 “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

Galatians:

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.” (Galatians 5:5)  

These words from Paul remind me of my personal Creed.  It is an explanation of my faith while being brief. I still believe in our Nicene Creed but I needed a statement of belief more succinct. So I crafted these words:  “I believe in God through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word through whom we live and love and have our being and to whom we must give an account.”  I changed the word “move” to “love” (Forgive me Paul) because maybe we all can’t move but all of us are capable of love.  While there is no mention of Mary or Pontius Pilate or even Jesus by name, Jesus is mentioned as the Incarnate Word.  And it is Trinitarian: belief in God; Holy Spirit and The Incarnate Word, The Logos.  But there is also the realization that all of us are going to be held accountable when judgment time comes and we ought to be living that way now. Amen.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Ponder #7:

Last night I preached about the Martyrs of Japan.   After the monks and their followers were killed and Christianity outlawed, the Christian movement went underground.  It stayed underground for over two hundred and fifty years.  This is amazing! The people maintained their belief in the Salvation of Jesus without clergy, without Bibles and without churches.  When Japan was reopened they again began having public Christian worship again.

This reminds me of the time when the firsts Christians were persecuted by Rome until the year 325 and Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman Empire.  It seems the Church is at its purest when it is in secret and/or at home.  The underground churches were home churches.  I think that is where real faith begins, in the home.  In fact I think all faith should begin in the home and then brought to church on our Sabbath for Communal Corporate Worship. If we have no home worship and we can’t find our particular tradition close to us, what do we do?  Therefore, we must keep our tradition as best we can at home even if we also visit other traditions.

We start home worship with the simple stuff.  A little prayer in the morning (our Book of Common Prayer can help with this), prayer at meals, some story telling about Jesus, (not Bible reading). Some appointed family member should read the Bible story in advance and then tell the story to the family. There is something very special about “telling the story.” And don’t forget prayer at bed time.  The Mother Church is stronger when the home church is stronger.

 “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, I will apply my mind to your decrees. (Psalm 119:95)          

It is a hard thing to do when we are tormented or in any way unjustly treated by those who want to cause us harm or punishment.  I have read stories where prisoners of war would turn to Bible Study to take their minds off their troubles. The Psalmist chooses to not focus on his unfair treatment but rather look at, and study God’s plan for all humanity and how we should all live together in harmony.

I can’t imagine trying to think of the love of God while undergoing pain and suffering.  But perhaps going to such a happy place is the only resolve that will either get one through it in this life, or will carry one on to the next with the least amount of hell.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Ponder #6:

“If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.” (Isaiah 54: 15)

I have often heard people misinterpret 1 Corintians 10:13 (No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.)

I would argue that the temptation Paul speaks of to the Corinthians starts from a desire within the person which is different from the Isaiah’s strife caused by another person or persons against us that has nothing to do with God.  As God says in the Isaiah reading “If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me;” But God tends to help us get out of messes that people put us in. 

God visits the oppressed and then looks back on the perpetrators and brings them down because of the evidence of the misery they caused.  God is so good. And says vengeance if mine. (Romans 12:19)  So God does not cause us harm or injustice but rather it is our fellow human beings.  But in our prayers we can always ask God to look at what is happening to us and come to our aid. God did not cause our trouble but God can fix it.  Thank you Jesus!

 “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

This evening at our Healing Service we will remember the Martyrs of Japan. I want to share something very important about the Christian Faith that amazed me.

Galatians

“You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the Gospel to you?  Though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.”  (Galatians 4.13-14)

While Paul’s tone is going to shift to one of a reprimand shortly, he now praises the way the Galatians cared for him in a former time when he was not doing well, a situation not reported in scripture unless it was associated with the trip to Damascus event.  This physical infirmity seems to be the reason for bringing the Galatians the Gospel. 

I can almost hear Paul crying for help.  And he receives it from some Galatians who have accepted Christ and come to the aid of Paul.  We too are those helpful Galatians.  God moves us to compassion for those who suffer.  We may not agree with the way they conduct their lives that may have landed them in their misery in the first place, but there is no time for that when help is urgently needed.  God makes us move to assist them like the Good Samaritans we are created to be.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

Ponder #5:

“Hear my cry, O God, and listen to my prayer.” (Psalm 61:1)

Crying is praying. Much of what I glean from scripture comes from repeated messages that hewn out a place in the heart of my mind and stay there only coming to the forefront when I’m presented with a situation that requires such knowledge.  Crying being prayer is one such message.  Let me share two such pieces of evidence.  Along with this Psalm there are many, but let’s look at one in Genesis and one in the Gospel of John.

When Hagar with her son is forced to leave the dwelling of Abraham by order of Sarah she is far away and her provisions have exhausted and their end seems almost immediate. “Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob.  God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.” (Genesis 21:16 – 17)  Although she cried as well, it seems the boy’s crying was heard.  But God responded to crying.  Is not praying a call to God?

From the Gospel of John we read, “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”  “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”  At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.  He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”  (John 20:11 – 15) 

There are people who claim to be atheist, but they cry. It is a behavior so intertwined to our emotions that it comes naturally.  God made it that way so that God would be notified when we are in need or trouble. Sometimes when we find that we think we can’t pray, just cry, because God’s ears hears tears.

“Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

“But she answered him, ‘Sir,^* even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:28)

So this Syrophoenicia Gentile woman doesn’t mind being treated as less than human for the sake of her daughter.  She goes to another religion, another culture, another tradition to find God on earth in the person of Jesus.  She humbles herself enough to accept the leftovers of grace and healing for the benefit of her child.  There is no doubt in her mind that this Jesus can cure her daughter, it’s a matter of will he.

What I learn from her is to humble myself for the sake of others. Jesus is a loving and sacrificial healer and needs to know that the requester is loving and sacrificial as well.  This is about accepting whatever we can get for the sake of the other.  Thank you Jesus.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

I love to go a pondering #4:

So what are the steps to authentic humility?  I think it is about loving to learn but not for the sake of building one’s self up but rather to learn how to best care for others.  This is the kind of understanding that Solomon asked God for, not for himself, but the wisdom he needed to best lead the people God put under him.  Solomon said to God, “ Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9) For authentic humility our priority must be first and foremost the care and nurture of others. God hears and answers this kind of concern.

“Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)

“When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage.” (Luke 4: 28)

The people in the synagogue did not know Jesus as well as they thought they did and most certainly did not know the God of love. We can never say what God will do or who God will use in bringing the glory of heaven near.

As Paul tells us what love is in 1^st Cor. Chapter 13, he also tells us what love is not.  Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.

When we feel rage coming, we need to stop and breathe.  We need to ask ourselves what’s going on?    It is just as important to resist anger as it is to acquire compassion. There is a study of psychology around anger management. It deals with the whys and associated behaviors. It is important. Anger impedes compassion and understanding.  One of the first Biblical examples of anger out of control comes from Genesis Chapter 4 where Cain kills his brother Abel. In that chapter we have God asking Cain “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Gen 4: 6-7)

The people in the synagogue were filled with rage.  The proper response is to learn to do better, to correct whatever has been brought to their attention and try to be a better people. The same goes for us today.  Anger based action causes regrettable consequences.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to God’s people.

I love to go a pondering #2019.003:

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1John 4: 8)  God is love. So from 1^st John we learn what it means to be a godly people.  It is not power or great intelligence, it is simply love. And as our Presiding Bishop says, love is the answer to everything.  I think that is because God is the answer to everything.  Bishop Curry is not alone in this opinion. St Paul in closing his definition of love says, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” (1^st Cor. 13:13) The greatest of all things in heaven and on earth is love.  Wow! What a valuable secret, Pssst, pass it on.

“Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” (From the 3^rd verse of Praise to the Lord)