Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 2^nd Week of Easter: Year 1

Morning,  Psalm  119:1 to 24; ; Evening, Psalms 12, 13 and 14; 
Daniel 2:17 to 30; 1^st John 2:12 to 17; John 17:20 to 26  

“And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.” (1^st John 17:17)

Over and over in this 1^st John reading for today, John repeatedly says that, “I am writing to you”, or, “I write to you,” as a way of leaving us with the beginning of faith. From John we learn that faith has its value in its ability to help us overcome the toxicity of our hearts and its vanishing desires, or rather, its desires for vanishing things. Such desires are the by-products of creation.  God never meant for us to focus our craving and desire on created things, but rather, on the Creator.

It is good and pleasing to enjoy creation and one another. We are brought into this world to do the will of God and this often means caring for creation and one another.  Caring for creation and one another is the will of God and are therefore eternal vocations.

Even as creation passes away, or “evolves,” we, the caregivers of it, also evolve. Our devoted lives to the will of God does not end, it just changes.  Believing this, causes us to live our lives in support of God’s plan for continued life; life that God brought into existence for God’s pleasure, and ours as well. Such believing is faith. Faith is a word hard to find in the writings of John, in his Gospel accounts, or his letters. Faith is a noun. Believing is a verb. John wants active ministry. Active ministry does not pass away.  It continues for all eternity.

Once we learn to live our lives in faith, supporting God by caring for all of God’s creation, which includes all people, and loving to do this work, we have set ourselves up for eternal life in the presence of God.  This desire to appreciate the gift of life that God has brought into being makes itself manifest in love; love of God and thanksgiving to God. We didn’t have to be. But we do exist, thanks to God. And as human beings, we have the unique invitation to live on in the service of God by doing the will of God. Our goal should be to love. It is the love of God that brought us into being. And we are created in the Image of God. this Image is not the physical, anthropomorphic image, but the spiritual loving Image. We are love embodied.

John writes to us that we might believe. I write to you that you might believe.  How will your life change once you shift from love of the created, to love of the Creator?  Doing the will of God will enable you to live forever in love and happiness.

Today we remember Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, Editor and prophetic Witness, 1879, and her information may be found at: Sara Hale.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Ever-loving and Creating Lord God, You prayed us into being and walked among us as a model of love and harmony; be present with us still and teach us to follow where You lead the Way in this life, in order that we may continue forever in the life to come, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 2^nd Week of Easter: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 5 and 6; Evening, Psalms 10 and 11;
Daniel 2:1 to 16; 1^st John 2:1 to 11; John 17:12 to 19:

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1^st John 2:1 and 2)

I need to read and hear these words from Saint John often.  I truly am a little child in the faith.  However, I fall into sin just like all others. Long ago I preached on Dietrich Bonheoffer, Pastor and activist. Bonheoffer was shown to have conspired to have Hitler killed. He wrote “The Cost of Discipleship.”  Sin is a very confusing thing. Only God knows the mind and heart of a person.

While I will admit that I have not conspired to kill anyone, I have had thoughts, and actions that are contrary to what most accept as Christian behavior.  And, in my own defense, not all Christians are on the same page.  I am on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement where same-sex marriage by consenting, loving adults is supported by our faith community. As an Episcopal Priest I have conducted a same sex marriage.  I think it was one of the best weddings that I have ever done.  And, in no way am I saying this is a sin. However, in some Christian traditions it may be. What is real sin is determined by God, not humanity.

My sins are between me, my confessor, and my God. Your sins are between you and whomever you trust, and God.  But we can take great comfort in knowing that our Lord Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. This comfort is not a license to sin, but rather, a call to repentance and reconciliation.  Our Lord Jesus gives us the opportunity to live more fully into an open and loving relationship with God and with all the world.

Today we remember Catherine of Siena: Reformer and Spiritual Teacher (April 29 1380) and her information may be found at: Catherine of Siena. I think is a good idea to read her bio as the world awaits a new Pope. I wish she was here to comfort us today.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 360)

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 2^nd Week of Easter: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 1, 2, 3; Evening, Psalm 4, 7 
Daniel 1:1-21; 1 John 1:1-10; John 17:1-11

“I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.” (John 17:4 and 5)

There are several optional readings for today, especially given that it is the day we remember Saint Mark. But the words from John of our regular Daily Office spoke to me more.

If Jesus sets the example for us to live by, and I believe He does, then what work has God given each of us to do? And maybe God gives us continued work to do as we mature.

I feel I wasted much of my early years without a clear focus of what I was doing. I joined the military at age 24 and spent 30 years in the Marine Corps. It was in the Marines that I was brought to the Episcopal Church, this part was definitely not a waste.  After my military service I was blessed to go to Seminary and become an Episcopal priest. Again, not a waste. I am retired from being the rector of a small parish now and asking God about “what’s next.”  I want to continue finishing the work God is giving me to do.

How about you? If you follow the example set for us by Jesus, you will examine what you are doing and know that God is bringing you to a glory prepared for you before the world existed. Such a glory won’t be as Jesus, but it will be with Jesus. I believe we are continually called to do the Lord’s work. And yes, as Yogi Berri once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”  And who knows? Perhaps God has work for us to do in eternal life as well, I certainly hope so.

Today we remember Saint Mark the Evangelist (normally April 25).                        

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: For Guidance (BCP p. 832)

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the Second Sunday of Easter: Year C

John 20:19-31:

 “But Thomas (who was called the Twin – also Didymus) one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” (John 20:24-25a)

We know that of the twelve, Judas has died.  All the rest, the eleven now, stayed together. Most of the time after the resurrection, and it is revealed that they huddled together in a room behind a locked door. The writers make that point to let us know that the door was locked but the Resurrected Jesus appeared within the room anyway.

So why was Thomas not with them?  I recall Thomas as one who suggested that they all go to Jerusalem and die with Jesus; (John 11:16). So he was no coward.  Also Thomas was not afraid to speak up when Jesus made statements about his followers, supposedly knowing where he was going. Thomas spoke up and said that in fact they did not know where he was going, and he wondered how could they know the way; (John 14:5).  This shows something of the character of Thomas.  He was a person of dedication, integrity, courage, and honesty about what he knows and does not know.  Perhaps he was tired of the weakness of the other ten.  He was tired enough to be away from them as they stayed locked up in their upperroom.

Now these men came out of their self imprisonment to approach Thomas with news of the Resurrection. Thomas doubts the same people who also doubted the person who first brought the news to them, Mary Magdalene.  Yet they come to Thomas with the same words, “We have seen the Lord.”

Yes, Thomas does say that unless certain criteria are met he would not believe.  But maybe this was more about his relationship with the ten than a real doubt about the Risen Jesus.  While Jesus invites Thomas to touch him we don’t have it in writing that he actually does.  Just seeing Jesus was enough to see that the others were in fact telling the truth, and Thomas proclaims Jesus as his Lord and his God. (John 20:28)

What does it mean for us today to hear “We have seen the Lord”?  I think whenever we are blessed enough to see something good happen, particularly when it was against all odds, we have seen Jesus present with us.  When we see life given back to someone who was dying, or a life saving operation, or an accident that could have been much worse, we have seen the Lord.  Jesus is made manifest in the many miracles that happen all around us.  And they are still happening all the time.

Sometimes, like Thomas, we are not so sure of the sources that report the miracles.  But we must remember, it’s really not about them, it’s about Jesus and his invitation to just believe even if we have not seen but have been told.  And because we have been told, and yet not personally seen, we believe, and so, are blessed. We should live our lives with the understanding of the very public heavenly view that we are in. Heaven sees everything. Locked doors or secret places are not hidden or blocked from divine eyes. The quicker we accept the peace of Christ, the less our hearts will be troubled.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Easter Week: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 145; Evening, Psalm 104; 
Isaiah 25:1 to 9; Acts 4:13 to 31; or 2^nd Corinthians 4:16 to 5:10; John 16:16 to 33:

“It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.  This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”  (Isaiah 25:9)

Not long after I was called to St Paul’s in the Pines Episcopal parish in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the parish sponsored our youth on a summer excursion to Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is basically a fun filled water park. On one of the raft floating rides, our boys were in one floating raft and our girls were in another.  As both groups floated along the boys became rambunctious  and toppled their float over. The protocol for such an event was to stand straight up (the water only being a couple of feet deep) and walk calmly to the sidewall and await park safety personal to escort you to the ride’s end. 

In his excitement, and embarrassment, young Ian Martin, was telling me about the incident. While he wanted to give me all the details of how the girls were teasing them, he begin by saying that “While we were waiting to be saved …..” He was talking about their escort to the ride’s end. But I fixated on his words. “While we were waiting to be saved.”  I ponder that that’s why we are here on earth. We are all “waiting to be saved.” We are currently in our next stage of development, awaiting that heavenly court to come by and pick us up and escort us to that heavenly realm from whence no traveler returns, save our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you Isaiah for your prophetic words.  “This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”  This fragile earth our island home is as temporary as are we.  We are not meant to be here for all eternity. We are waiting to be saved.  Every day, all we have to do is wait. What does it mean to be waiting for salvation?  For young Ian it meant standing against that wall awaiting his escorts and not worrying about how to explain what happened. It’s probably the same for you and me in life today.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99) 

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Easter Week: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 136; Evening,  Psalm 118; 
Daniel 12:1 to 4 and 13; Acts 4:1 to 12 or 1 Corinthians 15:51 to 58; John 16:1 to 15: 

“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever;” (Daniel 12: 2 and 3).

Here is some evidence perhaps, that there was some belief in an afterlife in the Hebrew Testament. It talks about those who “sleep” in the dust of the earth shall awake! Yes, I like hearing that.  However, there is a caution also. Some will rise to everlasting life and some will rise to shame and everlasting contempt. 

Paul alludes to this belief among the Pharisees as he defends himself in the Acts of the Apostles saying, “I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous;” (Acts 24:15). I believe every human soul will awake from the dead.  I don’t believe every soul will be received into eternal life. Nor do I believe that a loving God will keep any of us in an eternal state of hell. Such an unrighteous one, I believe, would just cease to exist.

My beloved in the Lord, whether we sleep in the dust of the earth until the earth’s last day, or we are walking around when our Lord comes to us as we are still in this mortal life, we must be found living the best, most loving life we can live.

And now, the Book of Daniel leaves us with another sentence relevant for us today, the beginning of a Holy Sabbath; “But you, go your way, and rest; you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days’; (Daniel 12:13).

 “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 504)

O God, the King of saints, we praise and glorify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear: for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; [for Pope Francis] and for all your other righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we pray that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Easter Week: Year 1

Morning,  Psalms 146 and 147; Evening, Psalms 148 and 149; 
Ezekiel  37:1 to 14; Acts 3:11 to 26 or 1^st  Corinthians 15:41 to 50; John 15:12 to 27:

“You are the descendants of the prophets and of the covenant that God gave to your ancestors, saying to Abraham, “And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Acts 3:25)

Most of today’s readings are very instructional. I highly encourage everyone to read and savor all of the readings for today.  It was hard for me to select a verse to spring from for today.  All of the readings are just that meaningful. The Acts 3 reading however is assigned for both the Daily Office reading and our Eucharistic readings. It is a very inclusive message from God. I believe that while God called the descendents of Abraham to become Israelites, the Israelites were commissioned to spread the news about the love that God has for all the people of the earth regardless of their lineage. The message is, “And in your descendants all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Psalm 8 is assigned in our Eucharistic reading for today. There are words in this Psalm that causes me to ponder. It says, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,  What is man that you should be mindful of him, the son of man that you should seek him out?”  (Psalm 8: 4 and 5). 

Our Creating God loves humanity so much that God’s self deemed us worthy enough to come among us as one of us in our Lord Jesus. And according to the Gospel of Luke, the Resurrected Jesus opened our minds  in order that we might better understand the scriptures. “Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,  that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,” (Luke 24: 44 and 45). Still today, such understanding of scripture only comes with prayer and the company of other believers with open and inclusive hearts and minds. Then our Lord Jesus will open us even further.

 Peter tells the amazed witnesses of the healing that they should not be so surprised. He says, ‘And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus, who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets,” (Acts 3:17 to 21).  It seems then that there is an unfolding between ignorance, awareness, repentance and forgiveness and restoration.  Acts that we have done from ignorance may be forgiven and ourselves restored. God is so good and merciful. Thank You Lord Jesus.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 289)

O God, whose wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, you once delivered by the power of your mighty arm your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation of all nations by the water of Baptism: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be numbered among the offspring of Abraham, and rejoice in the inheritance of Israel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Easter Week: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 115;        
Micah 7:7 to 15; Acts 3:1 to 10 or 1^st Corinthians 15:(29)30 to 41; John 15:1 to 11

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)

So for the second day we read from yet another prophet the instruction to wait for the Lord our God.  I don’t think we (in particular, Americans), wait very well.  I don’t think we like the perceived “nothingness” of it. As I listen to the news on the television or even the commercials, there is a non-stop barrage of noise coming at me. There is no break. It is sometimes hard to fully digest what was just said, or offered, and to discern where one subject stopped, and the next began.

We don’t wait for each other in conversation either. Listening coaches will tell us not to be thinking about a “one-up” response while pretending to be listing to the speaker. Deep down, we don’t want to listen. Unfortunately, this practice of not listening will be made manifest in our diminishing relationship with God.

We have developed the bad habit of “noise now.”  If who we are pretending to listen to, is not making noise, we will fill the gap with our own generated noise. We have been doing this with family and neighbors for so long that the practice has unfortunately influenced our prayers. But Isaiah yesterday, and Micah today, instruct us to “wait” for the Lord. At the heart of waiting is patience. Patience is developed in the bosom where there should be care and concern for the speaker, be that speaker your child, your spouse, your parent, your brother or sister, your neighbor, or your God.

The care and concern in the bosom of patience is also the stuff of love. Waiting therefore, is indicative of the capacity we have to love God, and to love our fellow human beings, (in that order).  To be able to wait is the demonstrated control we have to resist the non-stop barrage of noise.  Remember that it is from nothingness that God created all that is.  Let’s have small breaks between topics. Let’s wait with loving care for one another when in conversation. This loving care helps us to wait for one another, and more importantly, to wait for God. Two prophets can’t be wrong. Let us heed their words.  

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (For Quiet Confidence BCP p. 859)                           

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Easter Week: Year 1

 Morning, Psalm, 103; Evening, Psalms 111 and 114; 
Isaiah 30:18 to 21; Acts 2:26 to 41 or 1^st  Corinthians 15:12 to 28; John 14:15 to 31 

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 30: 18)

This sounds like a two-way waiting proposal – an invitation to be patient, for us, created in the waiting patience of God, to be like God in our own patience. The Lord waits to be gracious to us, the prophet Isaiah says. And then he adds that we are blessed if we wait on the Lord.

Is it easier to wait for the Lord if we know that the Lord is also waiting for us?  Which begs the question, what is it about us that the Lord is waiting for?  Is the Lord waiting for us to be good and pardoning of one another?  Is the Lord waiting for us to acknowledge that God is God alone?

“He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you” (Isaiah 30:19).  I have a saying that “God’s ears, hears tears.”  Probably not correct grammar but the point is that God is always attentive when tears roll down our cheeks. Such tears make no detectable sound that the human ear can hear. But even through the modern, clanging, busy world of today, God can, and does hear, and responds, to our tears, that sounds like rushing waters over our face to God. And God is all around us, always listening.

“And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30: 21).  These directional words may come through unsuspecting people. God uses unsuspecting people to do the work for you that needs to be done. Therefore, we must be ever vigilant in order not to miss the word before us, directing us about which way to go.  At some point we sinners become the unsuspecting saints of God. God knows what it is like to be one of us through God’s own experience in Christ Jesus.  We are all called to help one another, with, or without, our awareness. But I appeal to you to let us do this loving work willingly. This is about helping God to help us.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O Lord my God, teach me patience and how to wait for Your movement in my life. In Your good time, reveal the benefit I may bring to my neighbors, and they to me, by following Your Commandment to love others as Christ loved me.  Hear the tears of my prayers O God. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Easter Week: Year 1

Morning Psalms 93 and 98; Evening Psalm, 66;
Jonah 2:1 to 9; Acts 2:14 and 22 to 32; or 1^st Corinthians 15:1 to 11; John 14:1 to 14  

“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne.  Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, “He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.”  This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.” (Acts 2: 29 to 32)

This Acts passage is assigned for both our Daily Office reading and is a part of our Eucharistic devotion for this Monday in Easter Week. It must be important. Cephas, or Simon Peter, has come a long way since his days as a fisherman. He is now instructing Israelites on matters of theology and Hebrew history.

 According to Peter, God kept the promise made to David concerning a human born in the house of David that would be our Messiah, the Christ. Peter quotes from one of David’s Psalms concerning the future descendent in saying, “For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit,” (Psalm 16:10), attributed to David.

We know from scripture that David was a shepherd, a musician, a writer of Psalms, a warrior- giant slayer, a king, and now, a prophet, according to Peter. David, like Peter, is a part of our Christian history. Maybe this is why this passage is in both our Daily Office Reading as well as our Monday Eucharistic Reading.  Perhaps the Church, if not God also, wants us to remember that the house and line of David is important in our Christian heritage.

As we listen to Saint Peter, we must remember that we are all “Fellow Israelites.”  We may not have David’s tomb among us but we do have an empty tomb from which a descendent of David was raised, Jesus, our Messiah, our Christ.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 816)

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.