Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;
Deuteronomy 9:4-12; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 2:13-22:

“Know, then, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people. (Deuteronomy 9:6)

I find it very interesting that God replaces a people of wickedness with a stubborn people.  The people who previously occupied the land that God was giving to the Israelites were a wicked people that displeased God. “When the Lord your God thrusts them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to occupy this land’; it is rather because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you;”( Deuteronomy 9:4).

Stubbornness can work to God’s purposes if we are “righteously” stubborn. In the Conversion of Saul to Paul, Saul was more stubborn than wicked, he thought he was doing what the Lord wanted. But his stubbornness was made useful by meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus; (Acts 9).

What drive do we have that leads us to do what we do? Is such a drive evil or good? To be forceful about pursuing God’s plan for us being righteously stubborn. But it means insisting on loving God and loving our neighbors, no matter what. Such an attitude about being stubborn in this way moves God to make a way for us. it means that with our righteously stubbornness, we might replace those who show themselves to be wicked in the world.  It is in this way that God’s kingdom comes, on earth, as it is in heaven.

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, you know that we can be a stiff-necked people, determined to travel a path not pleasing to You. Be with us Dear Lord, lead us and guide us in all our travels in order that with our God-given determination and stubbornness, we may walk the paths pleasing in your sight with fervency and zeal. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;
Deuteronomy 9:4-12; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 2:13-22:

“Know, then, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people. (Deuteronomy 9:6)

I find it very interesting that God replaces a people of wickedness with a stubborn people.  The people who previously occupied the land that God was giving to the Israelites were a wicked people that displeased God. “When the Lord your God thrusts them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to occupy this land’; it is rather because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you;”( Deuteronomy 9:4).

Stubbornness can work to God’s purposes if we are “righteously” stubborn. In the Conversion of Saul to Paul, Saul was more stubborn than wicked, he thought he was doing what the Lord wanted. But his stubbornness was made useful by meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus; (Acts 9).

What drive do we have that leads us to do what we do? Is such a drive evil or good? To be forceful about pursuing God’s plan for us is being righteously stubborn. But it means insisting on loving God and loving our neighbors, no matter what. Such an attitude about being stubborn in this way moves God to make a way for us. it means that with our righteously stubbornness, we might replace those who show themselves to be wicked in the world.  It is in this way that God’s kingdom comes, on earth, as it is in heaven.

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, you know that we can be a stiff-necked people, determined to travel a path not pleasing to You. Be with us Dear Lord, lead us and guide us in all our travels in order that with our God-given determination and stubbornness, we may walk the paths pleasing in your sight with fervency and zeal. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 1^st Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;  
Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Hebrews 2:11-18; John 2:1-12:

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

I think the writer/s of the Gospel according to John rely on other versions of the Gospel being read, in part because it is thought to be the last one written. In the Gospel according to John we do not get the name of the mother of Jesus. We must read the synoptic Gospels to learn her name is Mary.

Mary has raised and lived with Jesus all of his earthly life until his wandering off to Capernaum. She is well aware of his ability to supply the needs of herself and all in need. She petitions Jesus to provide wine, He grumbles, but does as asked. Even while Jesus grumbles, Mary turns her attention to the servants (us) and says, “Do whatever he tells you.”

For me, there are two lessons here. First, when we pray for Jesus to do something, consider it done and move on. Second, Jesus required the servants (us) to be fully involved in the heavy lifting in the miracle. They didn’t turn on faucets to fill the barrels, they had to haul water in buckets to the barrels.

Maybe obeying Jesus is more important than worshiping Jesus. Ponder deeper please.

Today we remember Harriet Ross Tubman, Social Reformer (1913) and her information may be found at: Harriet Ross Tubman

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. 214 & 252)

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the 1^st Sunday of Lent: Year C:

Luke 4:1-13

 “It is written, It is written, It is said. ” (Luke 4)

As very young men my brother and I would often travel with my dad on long road trips driving an 18 wheeler. We moved household goods for United Van Lines.  On one occasion we took with us another young person whom I will call Boston.  Boston was under 18 years of age at the time.

We found ourselves booked on a trip that took us through western Canada.  We could not take Boston because he was under age with no ID and we would not be able to get him back into the U.S. All this took place well before today’s visa requirements.  So we bought him a bus ticket from Sweetgrass, Montana to Seattle, Washington.  My dad’s words to him were, “No matter what, he was to stay at the bus station in Seattle, no matter what.”  We knew when he should be there and we would be there at the same time.  At least, that was the plan.

Boston was tempted by neighborhood gangs, and by a pretty lady to leave the bus station and go with them.  He would not. He had my dad’s words still running through his head, “Don’t Leave the Bus Station.”  Finally, The police came to investigate him because he just hung around and didn’t seem to leave.  We were late getting into Seattle due to forest fires in western Canada.  As we were descending down a down-town street, on our left we saw two policemen talking to Boston.  My dad yelled out of the window, “He’s mine, I’m going to park and I’ll be right back.”

When we walked back to the bus station and accompanied Boston I noticed that Boston had been crying.  He then shared with me the events that took place, He said a group of young men came by and told him that he would have to leave because this was their turf.  He was afraid but had to remain at the bus station like dad said.  Next a young woman who worked there got off work and offered him to her place to relax and that she would bring him back when we got there. But he stuck to my dad’s instruction to stay at the station.

He said what really broke him was the policemen approaching and asking him for identification. He had none and the day had been long waiting for us to show up.  It was during the questioning of the police that they heard my dad’s voice say, “He’s mine, I’m going to park and I’ll be right back.”

Jesus anchored himself to the words of scripture which helped him overcome evil temptations.  Three times he was tempted. Three times he remembered words from scripture and teachings that kept him from straying from safety.  Boston was tempted three times to leave the bus station. But he was anchored to my dad’s words.  All of us need words that assist us in doing what is right.  Such words may come from a hymn, or a poem, or a Psalm, or a Bible passage, or the quote from a parent or pastor.  The main thing is, that we ought to have an anchor to keep us secure during the storms and threats of life.  And when you find yourself tempted, speak boldly about your conviction to stay the course.

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: (First Sunday in Lent, BCP p. 218)

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son 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 Last Week after the Epiphany: Year 1:

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32;  Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;   

Deuteronomy 7:17-26;  Titus 3:1-15;  John 1:43-51:

“Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’” (John 1: 49)

When I think of the people called by Jesus to follow him I have missed Philip.  I remember James and John; and Simon Peter and Andrew; and I remember Levi being called from the tax booth.  But I somehow missed Philip.  Then Philip goes and invites Nathanael.  So when I miss Philip, I also miss Nathanael.

We know from verses just before this one that Nathanael and Jesus pondered about one another.  Nathanael pondered if any good could come out of Nazareth. And Jesus pondered about Nathanael being a man in whom there is no deceit.  So we know that in spite of Nazareth being the Sodom and Gomorrah of their day, Jesus, who is God incarnate, comes to them from there.  And we know that Nathanael is a good man because Jesus has said so. He is a man without deceit. So what is it about Nathanael?

I ponder about what Nathanael was experiencing when he was under the fig tree before Philip called him.  The moment that Jesus mentioned that he saw him before Philip called him; that he was with him under the fig tree. It must have been something special. It was so life changing that Nathanael said to Jesus, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” What was going on with Nathanael?  Was he crying? Was he contemplating suicide?  Was he visited by God with great joy?  We don’t know.  What we do know is that Nathanael experienced a life-change of some sort. And because Jesus knows what was going on in his life, he sees Jesus not just as Rabbi, but as Son of God, as King of Israel.

Where are the holy experiences in our lives, our secrete lives, under our own fig tree where Jesus sees us and then lets us know that we have been seen as he did Nathanael?  How do we become as appreciated by Jesus as Nathanael was? I believe we already are.

I believe that when Jesus/God sends us to someone God also prepares that someone to receive us.  And not always does the person we are sent to, or who is sent to us, made aware of it.  Many times God speaks to us through us. So we need to be careful.  Who was the Philip that God sent to you about Jesus?  What was the holy time and place (fig tree) of your life?  Name the person. Name the place. Name the time. To do so is healing. We all have those Nathanael- fig tree moments.  It doesn’t mean that we are pure, but it does mean that Jesus sees us at those life-changing moments and only you and Jesus know what’s happening.

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 Last Week of Epiphany: Year 1

 Morning, Psalms 95* & 31;   Evening, Psalm 35; 

Deuteronomy 7:12-16; Titus 2:1-15; John 1:35-42:

“When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.” (John 1:38 – 39)

I don’t know if the writer of John was intentionally making this connection but he has Jesus going back to where he was staying and inviting his new “potential” followers to “come and see.”  Moreover, we are given a time reference of four o’clock in the afternoon, and then Andrew goes to get his brother Simon and return. This happens in this introduction of a call to follow Jesus. 

We understand that Jesus was crucified on what we call Good Friday at noon.  We think he died at three in the afternoon.  I ponder then that Jesus’ engagement with Andrew and the other follower of John the Baptist, was during these hours and a foreshadowing of Jesus coming to us and dragging those of us, who are curious enough, to follow him back to his heavenly kingdom.

The key question however comes to us from Jesus as he asks, “What are you looking for?”  I wish we had them to answer the question.  But they don’t.  They respond to the question with a question, “Where are you staying?”  Let us respond to Jesus.  What are we looking for?  More personally, what are you looking for?

I think curiosity and searching is a part of our human make-up.  I think we are born to search.  God made us that way on purpose.  However we get to choose “What” or “Who” we will search for.  We have searched to the ends of the earth just to see if it had an end.  We are searching the outer most reaches of space and the depths of the seas. Archeologists dig without knowing what they will find; they just search and try to make sense of what they find.  We are searching for cures to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.  We look now at our own genetic make-up so that we can search further into who we are.  Search, search, search, it’s what we do. So when Andrew and the other disciple looked into the eyes of “All Answers” they could only ask, “Where are you staying?”

Interestingly, when these searchers found Jesus, Jesus often re-identified them.  Jesus changed Simon to Peter and later Saul to Paul, new names for a new search.  So you get to fill in the blank of “I am in search of _________________.  Who will this search cause you to be, or become?  In many ways I am like the archeologists; I just ponder and try to make sense of what I find.  But for all of us we only have to follow Jesus and look into the eyes of “All Answers” and ask “Where are you staying?” My prayer for you and for me is, that Jesus still says, “Come and see.”

Today we remember Perpetua and Felicity; Martyrs at Cartage (March 7, 202) and their information may be found at: Perpetua & Her Companions.

“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. 100)

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the Last Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 37:1-18; Evening, Psalm 37:19-42   
Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Titus 1:1-16; John 1:29-34:

“It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7: 7 and 8)

I believe the Lord God loves all people, believers and non-believers alike. However, I think there was something special about the early Israelite people. I believe that it was in Egyptian captivity that they learned to make bread, and this tradition stayed with them even after they were freed, albeit it was “unleavened” bread due to time constraints.  Before Egypt they were wandering herdsmen with no regular fields of wheat or ovens in which to bake.  I also believe that the early Hebrew people learned to write their own history while captive in Babylon, because we learn later that it was there that they began writing the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.  So why did God favor the Israelites?

I truly believe God called them to spread the faith of One God to all people and to support this Truth with bread and pen. All humanity can benefit from this rich history. The early Israelites seemed to learn best when in bondage. This captivity also translates into some of the Monastic traditions of many of our Christian Saints, even though their seclusion was self-made.

We, today, can borrow from this God-focused tradition by setting aside some quiet time for prayer and study, especially during our Holy Season of Lent. Let us eat our bread and record our prayerful experiences during Lent and then share with those who do not yet know about how wonderful and loving God is.

 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.832)

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.

Eucharistic Readings for Ash Wednesday:  (All Years)

Joel 2:1-2,12-17; Psalm 103; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6,16-21:

 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

This statement is so true.  But it’s a little misleading.  It almost implies that the treasure comes before the heart’s desire.  But it’s the other way around.  You see our money and resources follow our desires. Our heart is already there.  When we get money or something of value we use it to navigate to where our desires, our hearts, lead us,.  And here’s the thing, we get to say what our heart’s desire is. We also get the opportunity to adjust it, to say what we want to like or love.

Often we cannot follow our hearts desire because we don’t have the resources to do so.  Years back in our Diocese we wanted to increase money in our retired clergy fund.  We wanted to ensure that our retired clergy had enough to live on.  At that time giving was low but our desire to do this was strong.  I remember being at an Executive Council Meeting where I said, “Our hearts have taken us places that our checkbooks can’t follow.” Our Diocesan Treasurer remembered my words and as I have spoken to her recently, she still reminds me of that time.

This same thing still happens to us today.  And sometimes it is a good thing.  I am often pleased that I didn’t have the money to buy a boat years ago.  I have come to realize that it was not something that I really wanted, or needed. While this desire does not hold true for all, some should have a boat as did Peter, James and John.  But as I get older the distance between my wants and needs shrinks. I am closer to wanting only what I truly need.  I’m not completely there yet. I’m still a work in progress but I can see where I’m headed.  The Lenten season can help me get a clearer perspective on my wants and needs by practicing needs first.

Finally, I have come to understand that I cannot adjust my own heart’s desire.  I need help. I need God to step in and gently move my desires to that that is pleasing to God.  It is taking me a long time to realize that God will send me that that is pleasing both to God, and to me.  This is made manifest in the people put in my path as well as vocational adjustments in community.  This adjustment is a cleansing from God.  And it takes God to do it but we first have to want it, while not knowing what “it” is.  I am so glad to pray our Collect for Purity every Sunday and it is only fitting that I recall those words as I close this page for 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: “Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid:  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (BCP p. 355)

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the Last Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39: 

Deuteronomy 6:16-25; Hebrews 2:1-10; John 1:19-28:

“Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”  (Hebrews 2:1)

Hearing the Word is so important to living faithful lives.  We are blessed in our Church to weekly hear lessons from the Hebrew Testament, a Psalm or part of a Psalm, a New Testament reading and Words from the Gospel of Jesus.  We also hear a reflection on the words heard in a homily.

But our hearing is more than just this opening of our service.  We hear each other together as we pronounce what we believe in the words of the Creed.  In the same way we hear our collective selves pray to God for the welfare of our families, our church and clergy, our nation, for the sick and those who have passed. We hear all of our voices coming together and going to God in hope.

We also hear ourselves confess that we have done some wrong things and left some good works undone.  All of us have done this, or not done this.  We say it together, and we hear it together.

It is important to remember what the writer to the Hebrews says, “we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”  And while not everyone can hear, the deaf, who can’t hear,  live with us who can hear. They benefit and learn from us who can hear as we behave accordingly.  What we hear in our church service must be practiced in our everyday lives, at home and away, Monday back to Sunday again.  Weekly listening leads to loving lives. To drift away is to lose the hope of holding on to the life God wants for us.  

God speaks to us through us.  God has one mouth, Jesus, we have two ears so that we can double hear what God is saying as the Psalmist says, “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.” (Psalm 62:11 NRSV)

So Lent is the time in the Church year for people who have fallen away from the sound of the Word to come back within earshot of the Word. But like the Hebrews preacher says, for those of us who have been regular listeners to not just let what we’ve been hearing to become mundane but rather, “we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” 

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:

Almighty God, our eternal heavenly Father, You have been made known to us in mouth-to-ear by words of faith and hope and love. Continue to us Your life giving words in all of our various languages in order that the whole human race, being attentive listeners, may be truly be one in You and You in us. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the Last Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15; 

Deuteronomy 6:10-15; Hebrews 1:1-14;  John 1:1-18: 

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

This is the opening of the Gospel of John.  What we must take away from this is that it is “Word” not book (Bible)!  In the beginning is the Word, not the Bible.  There is a difference.

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

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

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

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

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

Today we remember John and Charles Wesley; Renewers of the Church (March 3, 1791); and their information may be found at: John & Charles Wesley

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 have no beginning and no end and yet came to us as one of us. You came to us and wrestled with Jacob and formed your people Israel. You Came to us as the Israelite Jesus, born of Mary, and even died for our sake. Bring us to You, Dear God, when our end comes in order that we may rest with You forever and ever; Amen.