Author: John Thomas Frazier

Eucharistic Readings for Maundy Thursday: All Years

Exodus 12:1 to 4 and 11-14: Psalm 116:1 to 10 and 17: 1^st  Corinthians 11:23 to 26: John 13:1 to 17 and 31 to 35:

 “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.  Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them,” (John 13:14 to 17)

In my late years I find myself to be a composite of the practices and habits of many people I have met along the way. Some, first hand, like my Dad teaching me how to load a moving van; and Marines and Priests who demonstrated physical fitness and the importance of daily prayer, respectively.

Some however I have learned from, second handedly, like our Lord Jesus, and the many written saints who also learned from Jesus. Chiefly I have learned to love others as Jesus loved me. It’s not easy. Some people are born with the mission to not be loved. But as Mother Teresa says, “Love them anyway.” And show such love in how we respond to their needs regardless of what they believe.

Our Lord Jesus has just washed the feet of his disciples. They have been taught the “Way” and are now to be sent into the world to teach and to further set the example of what it means to heal, to comfort and to evangelize. Jesus has just prepared their feet for carrying out the Good News. It is written, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  (Isaiah 52:7)

Foot washing is so much more than the hygienic cleansing.  It is comfort for the one who is on their feet all day.  Such comfort is demonstrated appreciation, and radical hospitality.  When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, He immediately was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. Now, in this reading for today, Jesus baptizes the feet of his followers, thus preparing their feet for the journey of carrying out the Gospel. Jesus points out that if He is doing this for his friends, then so should we. We are not greater than Jesus. We too are being sent into the world with the Good News (the Gospel).  We have the beautiful Baptized feet for the job assigned.

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: (Maundy Thursday BCP p. 221)

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday in Holy Week: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalm 74; 
 Jeremiah 17:5 to 10 and 14 to 17; Philippians 4:1 to 13; John 12:27 to 36:

“I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.” (Jeremiah 17:10)

I, very often, make eye contact with a person appearing homeless and asking for any loose money that I may be able to let them have. Am I to judge them? or, should I empathize with them and help them without thought of what they might really want money for?

So what is in my heart?  What is on my mind? What does my mouth say, or not say, as a result of my mind or heart?   What acts do my hands perform, or not perform, as a result of what of what’s on my mind or in my heart?  I can only pray to God to make me better. “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14) 

God knows that without God we lack what is good in our hearts and minds. I also think that God wonders if we know it.  The sooner we acknowledge our dependency on God and strive for goodness by asking for God’s assistance, the better off we will be. We can’t fix ourselves. But God can fix us if we only ask.

Ultimately we should want to please God. Ironically, we can’t please God without God. Therefore, let us take the advice of Jeremiah and all of our saints since the time of our Lord Jesus and live lives of love – love for all people while striving to see God in the same people. So that when God tests our minds and searches our hearts, the fruit of our doing, will be found favorable by God.

I will close today with Paul’s words to the Philippians as I find them relevant for today, “Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5 to 7) This is all about our hearts and minds. Praise 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. 355)                                                                         

“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.” 

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Holy Week: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 6 and 12; Evening, Psalm 94; 
 Jeremiah 15:10 to 21; Philippians  3:15 to 21; John 12:20 to 26; 

“They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.”  (John 12: 21 and 22)

Taking a child fishing is perhaps one of the happiest moments a fishing person can have with a child. It ranks right up there with a baby taking their first step, or a child learning to ride a bicycle. When the fish is caught, patience is required of the experienced, teaching fisherman. We must let the child experience “bringing it in” and, maybe even taking it off the hook.  It’s all a part of the fishing experience.

The Greeks in today’s Gospel lesson have bit the hook of Philip who is being taught by Andrew, (a fisherman by trade), how to fish for people. Jesus himself is the Master Fisherman, (who has already told them that he would teach them to fish for people). And while Jesus goes on to talk about how sad he is that he has to depart back to his eternal realm, there has to be some degree of happiness about the fishing seed that has been planted, and how it will continue to multiply over and over again.

As you live out your Church life, people will approach you about wanting to see “your” Jesus. When this happens, and it will, take them to the priest or the wardens of your parish and invite them to a Sunday service.  Our Lord Jesus will take it from there. Jesus trained us to be fishermen for the kingdom.  The fishing seed is planted in you. It is now time for you to bloom. It’s all a part of the fishing experience.

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, while we are not taught to insist that all believe the way we do, make us, and keep us, open and receptive, to those who come to us desiring to see You the way we do. Let us show seekers our loving and inclusive Jesus who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Holy Week: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 51:1-18; Evening, Psalm 69:1-23; 
 Jeremiah 12:1 to 16; Philippians 3:1 to 14; John 12:9  to 19:  

“The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”  (John 12:19)

As I ponder the Gospel accounts more and more, I find myself fascinated by the words that come from those who had an adversarial relationship with Jesus. An example is Pontius Pilate at the request for crucifixion and his asking the chief priests, “what evil has he done, (Mark 15:14). And now this statement from the Pharisees, “Look, the world has gone after him.”

Oh, how I wish it were so.  What would this world be like if in fact all in the world followed our Lord Jesus?  For one, the police and military would be greatly reduced. Oh, we would probably still have bad actors but they would be more easily identified and put away for long periods of time, but not executed.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating for all people to be Christian. But if we were, there would be a universal understanding about what is acceptable and loving behavior. We would strive to care more for the less fortunate and infirmed. We would give more time, talent and treasure for the needy in a more joyful way.

Another way we would behave as real followers of Jesus is to not go after people who are not believing in the same way that we do. Our Lord Jesus often used outsiders as examples of righteousness rather than those who were in his immediate circle; for example, the Good Samaritan, (Luke 10: 29 to 37),  and the Canaanite Woman with a daughter possessed with an evil spirit, (Matthew 15: 21 to 28). Our Lord Jesus showed the same amount of love and respect to so-called outsiders that he showed to those who were very close. As true Christians there is no room for “us/them.” We are all one in Christ Jesus. So what if the world has gone after him?  Well, my beloved in the Lord, it really starts with you and me, one person at a time. In this way we bring heaven to earth. In this way, God’s Will, will be done on earth as 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: 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.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Palm Sunday, Year C

Luke 22:14 to 23:56:

 “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31- 32)

This Gospel reading begins with joy!  It begins with the ride into Jerusalem with waving palms and palms laid before even the donkey that carries Jesus. But during the week, the celebration goes south quickly, and some of the same people singing “Blessed is the One who comes in the Name of the Lord,” are within a few days, yelling, “Crucify him.” Oh what an unstable people we are.

There is so much to ponder in this Passion Reading.  I think in all the readings for any of the Gospel Passion readings, Peter is the significant representative of us all.  He wants to be faithful, but fails. We want to be faithful but we too so often fail.  Jesus never gives up on Simon Peter and Jesus never gives up on us.

Satan, or at least sin, or some level of unfaithfulness, is at work against Simon Peter and us as well, to reduce us down to manageable, sinful fragments, in an effort to pull us away from following the love of Jesus. But we have the prayers of Jesus himself, keeping the faith within us, to keep us strong. Jesus says in our Passion passage, “but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail.” Jesus has proclaimed throughout the Gospel that it is the faith within us that enables us to overcome the sinful obstacles in life.

 All of the interrogators of Jesus asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!” Wow! how much I would sacrifice to hear those words, in person, from the lips of Jesus. Yet we have the written word to accept and believe.

I tend to ponder deeper into our written words, and I challenge the notion of harassment of the first criminal where it says, “One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” Of all the people deriding Jesus, he is the only one who asked Jesus to not only save himself, but also to save us. Yes, Lord, save us.

Luke’s Gospel account of the Passion is the only one that has Jesus make eye contact with Peter as the rooster crows – as Jesus is being taken away. This is a painful reminder that Jesus told him it would be so. It is also a painful reminder when we too make eye contact with Jesus, and are found falling short of what we should be.  However, Jesus also lets Peter know that he (Peter), will at some point, turn back, and that we too, will at some point, turn back, and when we do, we, like Peter, are to strengthen our brothers and sisters in their faith.

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: (Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday: BCP p. 219)

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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

 Morning, Psalms 137:1 to 6, and 144; Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;
Jeremiah 31:27 to 34; Romans 11:25 to 36; John 11:28 to 44 or 12:37 to 50:

“The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord.  But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 34: 31 to 34)

This is my favorite Jeremiah prophecy.  As a Christian, I believe Jeremiah was foretelling of the coming of our Lord Jesus when he says, the days are surely coming, says the Lord.” …”That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel”… he goes on, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.”  With this being prophesied, we are informed that God, acting in our Lord Jesus, will make for all humanity, an unbreakable covenant. Given that we have a habit of breaking every covenant God has made with us, our Lord Jesus will be a living covenant. Being fully God and fully human, it is the only way we, with God as one of us, (Emanuel), can keep covenant with God.  But we even tried to break this covenant by killing him.  But then God did something quite unexpected, God raised the Covenant from the dead!  This living Covenant can never be broken. We are locked into God forever.

And here is the thing, through our Lord Jesus, God has written the law of love and the fact that God exist, on our hearts, all human hearts.  We no longer have to ask about God. We all know that God is, that God is Good, and that God loves us and lifts us up as humanity, as the capstone of Creation. This makes my job as a Christian preacher a little less difficult. All I have to really say is that God has already written the love of God on your heart, go and ponder what this means.

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 5^th Week in Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 95 and 22; Evening, Psalms 141 and 143:1-11;
Jeremiah 29:1,4 to13; Romans11:13 to 24; John 11:1 to 27, or, 12:1 to 10:

“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, do not vaunt yourselves over the branches. If you do vaunt yourselves, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you.” (Romans 11: 17 and 18)

Here Paul reminds us that we Christians on the Jesus movement got our faith from the Hebrew faith. Jesus was a faithful Jew.  He went regularly to the Synagogue on the Sabbath and kept the Sabbath clean of work unless reason required His intervention to save a life or some other good and necessary work.

We have been grafted into the Tree of faith and are fed by the Holy Spirit from the same root that feeds all believers. Yet, I see where some so-called Christians are what is called “Anti-Semitic,” that is, hostile to or prejudiced against Jewish people.  This is ridiculous. We are fed from the same root. We believe in the same God. This is the same God that Jesus points us to.

We should be inwardly proud of our Christian-based faith. But we should not vaunt it, as Paul says. We are to be peaceful and loving in the communities in which we live, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being. And, we can only do this with God’s help.

Today we remember George Augustus Selwyn, Bishop and Missionary (April 11, 1878) and his information may be found at: George Augustus Selwyn.

“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. 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 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.