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.

AM Psalm 102; PM Psalm 107:1-32
Isa. 65:17-25; 1 Tim. 5:17-22(23-25); Mark 12:28-34

Mark

“Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbor as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.” (Mark 12:32 – 34)

This man has just affirmed what Jesus gave them as the greatest of the Commandments; loving God and neighbors. When Jesus saw that this man had a holy revelation he informed the man that the kingdom of God was closer to him.

When we “get it” we are closer to understanding how we should behave and how we should relate with God and with one another. When this happens, everything we thought we knew about life changes.  We begin to see that the kingdom of God is not “out there” but rather “right here, right now!”  We are already citizens of the kingdom but too much of the time we don’t act like it.

When this revelation happens to us our priorities change.  The superficial goes away and the loving acts stay and grow even more loving. The burnt offerings and so-called sacrifices of artificial devotion go away and are replaced by real devotion to the needs of our neighbors living with us in the kingdom. We get to that point when we realize that loving God “IS” loving our neighbor which means everybody on this planet.  No one is outside the love of God and therefore no one is outside the love, real love we ought to have for them, all of them. When Jesus saw that the man had a real Epiphany, Jesus informed him, and will inform us, that we are now not far from the kingdom of God.  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 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45Isa. 65:1-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-16; Mark 12:13-27

Psalm 105:

“1 Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; *
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, *
and speak of all his marvelous works.
3 Glory in his holy Name; *
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”  (Psalm 105:1 – 3)

These opening three verses say more than one might first think.  They tell of the continuing gratitude we should have for God.  They tell of the obligation we should have to tell the story of God’s saving presence. Our children and their children should hear these stories, our neighbors and co-workers should hear these stories.  We even need to hear ourselves tell these stories.   We are to pass them on and then hope they get passed on even further. What deed has God done for you lately?

We should sing praises to God, about God.  We believers should have at least one favorite hymn.  I have heard that singing praise songs is praying twice.  I don’t know who said it but I like it.  I guess we first have the words themselves.  And then, we make the music, either with an instrument or the instrument of  voice.  Skill of voice is least important.  It is the heart that flows through the voice that matters. “Sing to him, sing praises to him” the Psalmist says.  On many occasions people from the pews keep a hymn going long after they’ve been told to go forth to love and serve the Lord.  Our souls need to hear the music and our souls need to hear it from our own mouths and hearts.

We need to remember how important God is and not to be afraid or embarrassed to use God’s Name when needed.  There are so many “OMG” people on social media today.  I wonder how many of them are actually attending a house of worship.  I have heard many older people proclaim “Thank You Jesus” when something good happens in their lives. I say it too.  It feels good, and I know it to be true.  Other people around me hear me say it.  I hope it’s contagious.  A simple outward cry of “Thank God” or “Thank Yahweh “or “Thank Allah” cleanses the soul.  This is the way we honor God.  It is important to let God, and others hear and know who we are – People of faith and people of Praise.   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.

Psalm 85:7-13  Isaiah 32:11-18John 8:30-32

“I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.” (Psalm 85:8)

Today we remember Fredrick Douglas (February 1818 – February 20, 1895)

Douglas was born a slave in Talbot County, Maryland.  When Douglass was about twelve, his owner’s wife started teaching him the alphabet, which was against the law. Douglass succeeded in learning to read from white children in the neighborhood and by observing the writings of men with whom he worked. As Douglass learned and began to read newspapers, political materials, and books of every description, he was exposed to a new realm of thought that led him to question and then condemn the institution of slavery. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

What all of us can learn from the life of Fredrick Douglas is that no matter how humble our beginnings may have been, in poverty or in an abusive family, we can, through education and a life of faith, improve our station in life. And I might add especially in the United States.  We have many in America today who take issue with the hatred an unfair treatment of various walks of American life and I think it is right to do so.  Such acts of consciousness are carried out in knelling for the National Anthem or conducting demonstrations and acts of nonviolent civil disobedience.  I don’t agree with every method of expression.  Fredrick Douglas lived with legal slavery and laws against the education of people of color and yet, was educated and led the way advocating for the rights and improvement of his fellow men and women, and Native Americans. I would say he followed the Psalmist instructions where he writes, “I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.” (Psalm 85:8)

Fredrick Douglas was a gifted speaker and used his God-given gift to stir this new Nation to move towards a more fair and equal place.  And while it didn’t work, the Civil War came about where some were influenced by Douglas’s words. At least President Lincoln was influenced by him as the two men did talk with one another.

We must always keep our ears open to what God is saying. Douglas was ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church that was started by Richard Allen near the time of Douglas’ birth.  Douglas was a firm believer in the equality of all people, whether black, female, Native American, or recent immigrant. He was fond of saying, “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

No matter our walk in life, we need to know that God is speaking peace to God’s faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to God. 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 97, 99, [100]; PM Psalm 94, Isa. 63:7-14; 1 Tim. 1:18-2:8; Mark 11:12-26

Mark

“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)

I don’t know if I have ever taken the time to dedicate a whole prayer to the forgiveness of others. Most of the time it kind of just fits in like in the Lord’s Prayer…”and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”  Amidst elongated requests I stick in there a request for the forgiveness of some transgression I have committed and maybe (though rarely) to forgive someone who transgressed against me.

I am getting from this verse of Mark that it would probably be a good idea to stop and deliberately pray for the forgiveness of someone who has wronged me.  That’s a tough call.  I would have to ask myself “do I really want to forgive this person or persons?”  And further, “Do I want God to forgive them?”  “Are they even asking for forgiveness?”  So much to ponder about.  I don’t think Jesus cares; He just says forgive if you have anything against anyone. Come on Jesus you are making this Christianity stuff hard.  Okay, Thank You Jesus.

Ponder #19

The fifth and final point of the second star is Patience.

I am once again reminded of my friend Sonny Browne’s grandmother’s saying “come in, sit down, be quiet and wait.”  She said this at the onset of a big storm blowing through.  But the advice can be used whenever anxiety sets in.  Sometimes just waiting in silence gets us through difficult times.

When I first created this second star I had patience before prayer.  But then I realized that it took prayer to be patient in the first place.  So I reversed it to prayer then patience.  My second star then winds up being Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Prayer and Patience.  So this star acronym is DRIPP. It is drip but with two p’s.  Waiting is so important.  The Psalmist got it right when he said, “Be still, and know that I am God”. (Psalm 46:10)

There are times when we will not know what to do.  And that is exactly what we are supposed to do, “nothing.”   Just sit still, be quiet in patience, and watch God fix it.

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.

Martin Luther: Pastor and Reformer (18 February 1546)

Psalm 46 Isaiah 55:6-11 John 15:1-1

Isaiah

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8)

This Isaiah verse has been a favorite of mine for some time.  It really speaks to how different God is from us. I think the crafters of our lectionary apply it here to represent Martin Luther’s agitation with the Church of Rome during his time and to which he loved, but was at odds with.

From A Great Cloud of Witnesses of the Episcopal Church:

“As a result of his [Martin Luther’s] theological and biblical studies, he called into question the practice of selling indulgences. On the eve of All Saints’ Day, October 31, 1517, he posted on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg the notice of an academic debate on indulgences, listing 95 theses for discussion.”

I believe all of us, lay and ordained, have a responsibility to voice our feelings regarding the direction of our church.  But like Martin Luther, we should be totally dedicated to our church because only with true devotion will our concerns be taken seriously. Martin Luther did not start the Lutheran Church, but his admirers did.  I still remember when I was fresh out of seminary and thought I knew everything, I put forth the question to a Christian Ed. class I was conducting, “What does being an Episcopalian mean to you?”   One of the ladies sitting in this session replied, “It means I can ask a question, and question the answer.”  From that point on I knew I had a lot to learn.  Thank you Debbie.

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

Ponder #18

The forth point of the second star is Prayer.

The most important thing we must remember about prayer is that all prayer is always in response to God who prayed first.  In fact, God prayed us into being.  As we open the Bible we hear God praying the “Let there be’s.”  This prayer concludes with us being prayed into being. “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen. 1: 26, 27) While this translation is still male biased, it shows that our very being comes as a result of God’s prayer.  It adds new meaning to being people of prayer.

Prayer is so much more than verbal, out loud, words.  Prayer is being still and creating a space for Go to enter.  Prayer is the desire for God in your life. Prayer requires patience which is the next and last point of my second star.

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