Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 5^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning  Psalm 131, and 132; Evening Psalm 140 and 142;
Jeremiah 26:1 to 16; Romans 11:1 to 12; John 10:19 to 42:

“Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.  My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.  What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (John 10: 25 to 30)

There are several profound statements made by our Lord Jesus here.  The first is that “I have told you, and you do not believe.”  We have it recorded that Jesus said it. We have the evidence of Jesus’ works that testify to who Jesus is. We, you and I, cannot hear his actual voice today. But we can read the actual words that he said, and believe.  Moreover, in believing, we follow. We follow so as to have eternal life.  If we believe and follow in the way of trusting love, it cannot be taken away from us.  It is an eternal existence made by our Lord Jesus who with the Creator is One!

While we cannot hear the actual voice of Jesus, we can hear His Holy Spirit speaking to us in our studies and in our prayers.  My beloved of the Lord, this life is not the end.  Jesus(God Incarnate) gives us eternal life. A full life that comes to us after this one. We should rejoice and be glad in it.  Jesus says he and the Father are One!  I don’t know what that does to the idea of the Trinity but we for sure have Creation and Salvation in One. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember William Law, Writer, priest, and non-juror (April 9, 1761) and his information may be found at: William Law.  And also for today, we remember Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Scientist and Military Chaplain (April 10, 1955) and his information may be found at: Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

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 Almighty God, You brought us into being by Your voice and then walked among us to show us how to live together in peace. Raise our awareness of Your divine presence among us still in order that we come to believe and not lose the promise of eternal life beyond this initial state of being in order that we may be with You who lives and loves forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 5^th Week in Lent: Year 1

 Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening, Psalms 128, 129 and 130;
Jeremiah 25:30 to 38; Romans 10:14 to 21; John 10:1 to 18:

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”  (John 10:16)

Our Lord Jesus uses the “I Am” identifier about himself twice in our Gospel passage for today.  He says “I am the Gate,” and, “I am the Good Shepherd.”  This is the Identifier God used at the burning bush with Moses. God told Moses to go and tell the Israelites that “I Am” sent him (Exodus 3:14). And just as Moses gathered all the tribes of Israel to be one following of God, so too, our Lord Jesus is going to call other faith traditions and denominations to be one flock. 

I think what is key here is for each of us to belong to some flock. We all need to be a part of a faith community. When Jesus began his ministry on the shores of Capernaum he didn’t say, “go and do your own thing.” No, he said, “Follow Me.” 

Over the years in the development or, “devolvement,” of the Christian Church we now have many denominations.   No denomination gets everything right.  I personally believe the Episcopal Church is the best way for me to worship God through our Lord Jesus. Perhaps the Episcopal Church is not the best way to worship for others. But that does not make other faith traditions or denominations worse or less holy; just another flock that will be joined with Jesus to make up the one flock.

The point is, we all need to belong to some flock somewhere. Jesus meets us where we are and in the faith community we are in.  It seems that God calls us in buses, not cabs or personally hired rides. God in Christ Jesus collects groups of people, not individuals. We need to belong to the household of God and await God’s call in communion. This gathering of others reminds me of our Lord Jesus after the resurrection when he called out to his followers who were fishing. “When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread.  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught,” (John 21:9 and 10).  This is another message of gathering not only of different people, but also those who only recently came to believe.

The main point is that we all need to find a spiritual community to be with. And I would suggest attending many and different kinds of services. Your spiritual comfort will be revealed to you through the Holy Spirit. It may or may not be the pastor or the preaching.  It may be the feel of the parishioners. It may be any number of environmental or spiritual affects acting upon your soul. But remember, when you find it, stick with it. Our Lord Jesus will join all faithful groups together into one holy family. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Today we remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Pastor and Theologian (April 9, 1945) and his information may be found at: Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

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 the Unity of the Church BCP p. 818)

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 5^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 121, 122 and 123; Evening, Psalms 124, 125 and 126;
Jeremiah 25:8 to 17; Romans 10:1 to13; John 9:18 to 41:

“The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes.” (John 9: 30)

As you can see, I want to continue with our John Gospel reading. This Gospel story of the man born blind fascinates me.  He stands up to the Pharisees knowing that he could be thrown out of the synagogue. His parents had the same fear. The difference is, he’s never experienced the sights of the synagogue.  You can’t miss what you have never had.

This once blind man mocks the Pharisees by asking them if they too want to become disciples of Jesus. He is eventually thrown out of the synagogue. Jesus finds him and explains to him who Jesus is, the one who is speaking to him in the moment. At this point in his life, he has never seen nor heard more clearly in his life. The same is true for us when we first come to believe.

This truly is “Amazing Grace.” We too were blind but now we see. We were lost but now we are found. No one is beyond the reach of our Lord Jesus. It is especially sad when the people responsible for giving others hope, the clergy, be they Pharisee, Rabbi, Imam, priests or any kind of faith leader, refuses to see what is happening right in front of their eyes. We need to realize that God will act through whom God will act.  We can’t pick for God, God picks for God.

There are still know-it-all religious leaders who resist the wondrous works of God. Think about this man, Jesus didn’t “restore” his sight.  Our Lord Jesus “gave him sight for the first time!” Many of us today are in need of a first-time sight when it comes to having unconditional love for our neighbors, all of our neighbors. 

I consider myself a Christian, American cowboy, who walks the Anglican, Episcopal, path.  I only realized this about myself when my Lord Jesus opened my eyes about myself some forty years ago.  And yes, for me, this is an astonishing thing!  You too can be your most loving self regardless of the color of your skin. Work with our Lord Jesus as did this man born blind. Jesus will open your eyes to the life that best suits you. You will then have real vision for the first time.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember William Augustus Muhlenberg, Priest (April 8, 1877) and his information may be found at: William Augustus Muhlenberg. And also, we remember Ann Ayres, Religious (February 9, 1896) and her information may be found at: Anne Ayers.

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: (again, my own words from yesterday)              

O Lord God, open our eyes to see Your hand at work all around us. Reveal to us Your Presence in our daily lives and aid us in informing others about Your marvelous works done in love for our benefit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 5^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening,  Psalm 35;
Jeremiah 24:1 to 10; Romans 9:19 to 33; John 9:1 to 17

“Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.”  (John 9:3)

This man born blind is like people who have never really known our Lord Jesus. And like the man who was born blind, obeyed Jesus after the application of mud and washed as he was told, received his sight for the first time, he is like so many who are brought to real sight today.

While many, even today, are kept in darkness and without a clear vision of the righteous moral path, it is not necessarily the fault of a misguided society or un-churched parents, or even bad preaching. It is the individual lack of personal pondering about life and one’s place in the world. Again, let us hear the words of Blaise Pascal, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”  I call this silent sitting, pondering. It is my Jesus time.

Jesus and his group came upon this man born blind who has no idea about color, or light, or the faces of people, or even the vast spectrum of the beauty of nature. His whole world has changed when given sight.  So too our world changes when we are brought to loving light for the first time. But like the man born blind in our reading for today, we too must do as our Lord Jesus asks; we must wash in the waters of Baptism and do all other such commandments as Jesus asks of us.

We are co-creators with our Lord. And what, or rather who, is being created, is ourselves. And no matter where we are, we are still a work in progress. “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:32 and 33). We must always be willing to listen, learn, love and live-out our covenant with our Lord Jesus. It starts here in this life, and continues throughout all eternity.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Tikhon, Patriarch of Russia and Confessor (April 7, 1925) and his information may be found at: Tikhon of Moscow

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 God, open our eyes to see Your hand at work all around us. Reveal to us Your Presence in our daily lives and aid us in informing others about Your marvelous works done in love for our benefit through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the 5^th Sunday of Lent: Year C

 John 12:1-8:

 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (John 12: 5)

This reading from John about Mary is like the one in Luke about Mary.  Judas’s intention is explained to us by the evangelist. The evangelist informs us that Judas is not really concerned about the poor. Perhaps Judas took his eyes off of Jesus when he looked at Mary.  The Evangelist writes that Judas kept the common purse and would steal from it.  How the Evangelist knew this opens up another discussion. The evangelist may have even taken his eyes off Jesus for a moment.  It is easy to pick on Judas because in all of the Gospel stories Judas is identified as the traitor who sold out Jesus. 

But in this particular setting, in the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, we have Judas who took his eyes off Jesus for a moment to look upon Mary and what she was doing for Jesus.  And when he did this he had nothing good to say about her.  He was critical of her use of money.  Judas failed to look at Mary through the heart and eyes of Jesus.

This Gospel story is like the ending of chapter 10 of Luke’s Gospel account where Martha takes her eyes off Jesus and looks at her sister Mary and becomes angry because Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and not helping with the preparations for serving Jesus and the guests that are with him. She says to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”  (Luke 10:40)  Of course Jesus tells her that Mary is making the best use of her time.

Both of these reflections took place in the same house in Bethany.  They are witnessed from two different perspectives.  But both are examples of what happens when we look upon another person without seeing them through the eyes and heart of Jesus. The heart and eyes of Jesus softens our hard edges and brings our compassion to the forefront of our awareness.  We must always recognize Jesus in the room and see the others in the room through Jesus. That’s why we have Jesus; so that we might love one another better.

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. 219)

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 4^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 107:33 to 43 and 108:1 to 6; Evening  Psalm 33;   
Jeremiah  23:9 to 15; Romans 9:1 to 18; John 6:60 to 71:

“Praise the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”  (Psalm 33: 2 and 3)

My piano class is a small group of senior, or should I say, more seasoned citizens who are reaching back to develop some skills that most of us did not know we had. We are taking these piano classes through our local Community College’s Continuing Education program. It is wonderful. I think all of us enjoy Christian hymns so it’s no surprise that when we select our recital piece it is a Christian hymn.  For me it is “Praise to the Lord.” This is Hymn number 390 in the Episcopal Church’s 1982 Hymnal. 

Many of the Psalms are attributed to David. And scripture informs us that David was fund of music and dancing. While some Christian denominations do not permit the use of instrumental music, I, along with my Church family, see instrumental music as another way to use our God given skills to praise our Creator. Our gifts of art come in many forms; Reading books (including the Bible, Christian writings and other books like our Book of Common Prayer), gazing at Icons and paintings, Rosaries and Anglican Prayer Beads, the art of preparing traditional meals, the smell of incense and the art of music. We have God given gifts that touch every God given sense that we have, sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. It is only fitting to reflect back on the Giver of these senses in praise and adoration. Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26 record our Lord Jesus singing the Psalm at the conclusion of their meal. Notice that this singing by our Lord Jesus is often overlooked by readers of the Gospel. But it was his custom to do this.

I am practicing piano, guitar, and a horn. On all of these instruments that I play, it is mostly music that honors God. I don’t think I play that well but it gives me pleasure to know that what I hear comes from my own effort developed from practice and determination. I try to live fully into all of my senses in appreciation of the love of God.

So I live to love and praise the Lord with pondering and piano. Think about your own ability to live fully into loving God back.  Remember, God loved us first. God has given us the gifts with which we can show our appreciation back to God. Therefore, let us, “Sing to [God] a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” 

Today we remember Harriet Starr Cannon, Religious, 1896, and her information may be found at: Harriet Cannon.

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 the 4^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 95 and 102; Evening,  Psalm 107:1-32 ;  
Jeremiah 23:1 to 8; Romans 8:28 to 39; John 6:52 to 59:

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.” (Romans 8:29)

Just when I said Romans 8 was special, (yesterday), this happens today.  I don’t buy the idea of predestination.  I know Paul does, but I think it’s all Paul.  And of course Augustine of Hippo, John Calvin and even some Christian denominations today have adopted this predestination theology. But not me, and I don’t think the Anglican Episcopal Church does either. Praise Jesus.

We have free will and an invitation to join our Lord Jesus in living the life of love and righteousness. But we are all free to accept it or reject it. I don’t believe all who do not accept Christianity are bad people.  But then, I have seen some pretty bad people who profess to be Christian. God will sort us out. Christianity is a path to God. Episcopalian Anglicanism is a Christian path within the God believers. We tend to be who we choose to be for ourselves. God is watching. Our Lord Jesus, through whom all things came into the world, will judge us by our hearts and deeds like the sheep and goats beginning at Matthew 25:31. Note that it was the loving deeds of the sheep in the Matthew writing that saved them, not their professed faith. While I believe that Christianity is a dedicated life of loving service, I don’t believe God has predestined any of us to be such. But I think God would like us all to choose to be such.

Today we remember Martin Luther King Jr., Civil Rights Leader (April 4, 1968), and his information may be found at: Martin Luther King

“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: (For Guidance BCP p.832)

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 4^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69:1-23 and 31-38; Evening, Psalm 73;   
Jeremiah 22:13 to 23; Romans 8:12 to 27; John 6:41 to 51

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.  And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8: 26 and 27)

I think chapter 8 of Romans is special. In our reading for today Paul, with God’s guidance, relates to us how we should let go and let God.  Our Book of Common Prayer is full of beautiful prayers. I have committed many to memory. But nothing compares to the prayers stirring up in us by the Holy Spirit when we need them. I have prayed extemporaneously at sick beds and dying beds in my priesthood. I let go of the Book of Common Prayer and use the words given to me by God’s Holy Spirit. I must admit, I am always amazed.

God gives us the words and answers we need when we need them. As Paul says, “with sighs too deep for words.”  But Paul also says that God “searches the heart and knows what is the mind of the Spirit.” I think the mind of the Holy Spirit of God is like an expensive cologne, the fragrance is different in each of us according to our individual chemistry, but always good for the community in which we live.

Sometimes we just need to sit in silence and reflect and ponder about God and how God is acting in our everyday lives. Remember Blaise Pascal’s words, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”  Prayer, real prayer, is not something we produce. We are prayed through by God. The good news is that we get to hear what God is saying in our own voice. We just need to trust in God, and let go, and let God; like Richard Chichester whom we remember today. 

Today we remember Richard of Chichester, Bishop of Chichester (April 3, 1253,, and his information may be found at: Richard of Chichester

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: Prayer by Richard of Chichister, Bishop of Chichester (3 April 1253)

 Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits thou hast given me, for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly, day by day. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 4^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 101 and 109:1 to 4 and 20 to 30; Evening, Psalm 119:121 to 144;
Jeremiah 18:1 to 11; Romans 8:1 to 11; John 6:27 to 40

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

Thank you Paul for these words to ponder. While I often find myself filtering out of Paul’s words, what is from God, and what is from Paul, it is sometimes hard to tell.  With this bit of insight however, I feel it is definitely from God, through Paul, and to us. It may even explain God’s co-existence with the man we call Jesus. That is, God, personified in Christ Jesus, knows how to implant God’s Spirit into the human soul.

God’s presence dwelling in us reconciles us back to God and is key to us being raised into the next, and, eternal life.  Along with God’s indwelling Spirit, we must also believe.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)

 So God is within each one of us. This Spirit of God raised our Lord Jesus as the first fruits of eternal life. You are next. God is already in you. Do you believe?  It takes both. God has done God’s part.  If you believe in the love of our Lord Jesus and the love of God that Jesus showed us, then how is it made manifest in your words and deeds? Live what you believe.

Today we remember James Lloyd Breck, Priest, Educator, and Missionary, and his information may be found at: James Lloyd Breck

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 the Future of the Human Race BCP p. 828)

O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 4^th Week in Lent: Year 1

 Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 94;
Jeremiah 17:19 to 27; Romans 7:13 to 25; John 6:16 to 27:

“And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors.” (Jeremiah 17:22)

According to Rabbi Joshua Heschel, the Sabbath is a gift from God. It is an offering of time that we should observe and be thankful for. The “time” of Sabbath is more holy than any “place” on earth. I fully understand that we must stay vigilant during our Sabbath time while watching and caring for the sick, and being prepared in case of fire or human violence, or aggression from foreign countries. However, as much as possible, we should set aside the seventh day, Saturday, the Sabbath day, for rest (which does not necessarily mean worship).  God knows that we need a day of pure rest so that we can “come to ourselves.”  Medical people, fire fighters, police and the military should also work in such a way as to be afforded at least every other Sabbath day off when and if possible.

There are important and valuable lessons handed down to us in the Hebrew Testament. As Christians we should not ignore them. They still apply to us as Christians today. Let us prepare early in the week in anticipation for a Holy Sabbath. Is there a way we can look forward to loving the Sabbath? The isolation we have experienced during the pandemic as surely shown us that we can in fact stay home and be at rest.  Perhaps we can keep the idea of some quiet time, post pandemic.

I take this time to write about this because the God of Israel is the Christian God also. Jeremiah was told by God to give this message at the People’s Gate, “and in all the gates of Jerusalem, and say to them: Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. Thus says the Lord: For the sake of your lives, take care that you do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors;” (Jeremiah 17:19 to 22).  So, where it says; “and in all the gates,” I am thinking that over time, and metaphorically speaking, one of those gates is our Christian Gate. We only have one God who is the same then as God is now and will be forever.

We don’t have time to decide what is Jewish and what is Jesus. Jesus himself kept the Sabbath. Therefore, so should we who profess to follow Him.  In fact, we should live and learn to love the Sabbath as God’s gift to all people no matter our socio-economic status or branch of worship.

Today we remember Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest and Theologian (April 1,1872) and his information may be found at: Frederick Denison Maurice

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 Grace (BCP p. 100)

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.