Author: John Thomas Frazier

The Holy Gospel Reading for the Baptism of our Lord: Year C

Luke 3: 15 -17 and 21- 22:

“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”  (Luke 3:21 and 22)

It seems God was talking directly to Jesus. Could it be heard by those there? God’s voice came as conversation with Jesus who was praying. Often missed in the Gospel is how much Jesus prayed. This version of Jesus’ Baptism suggests that the Baptism was done and then Jesus begin to pray and at that point the heavens opened and the Son of God pronouncement came from God.

Prayer, in particular prayers of thanksgiving, are so important.  Nobody likes to be taken for granted, including God.  For whatever reason most of have learned to pray for a future desired outcome. We are able to see very far into the future of how we would like things to turn out.  Our future prayers include a prayer as simple as grace before a meal or a good night’s sleep.  More distant prayers are said for the healing of someone or for help for us in a serious situation.

Then we wait and in God’s time help will come in only the way God wants it to. We may not recognize it as an act of God but it is.  I remember the old story told long ago.  It goes like this: A little town was being flooded and everybody evacuated except for the town preacher.  As the water level rose the preacher’s church began to take on water.  The old preacher finally climbed to the top of the steeple.  At last a man in a boat came to his rescue.  But the preacher denied the assistance proclaiming that God was going to save him.  Later, another man in a boat came but the preacher would not get into the boat saying that God was going to save him.  Lastly a helicopter came but the old preacher still refused. He was finally overcome and drowned.  He was taken to the pearly gates and standing before God almighty. He asked, “Good Lord, I have preached in Your Church for over 47 years.  Why did you not save me?  God said, I sent you two boats and a helicopter, why did you not let yourself be saved?

For most of us when we receive blessings and are very much aware that we have been so blessed. What we need to think about is thanking God for that blessing. I like to let loose a “Thank You Jesus” when I know a blessing has just happened.  I knew a service member that I served with who had the habit of saying the grace both before, and after the meal. Most of us say grace before the meal only.  This man said that he looks back and is thankful for what he has just received. 

In our church tradition we give thanks and specific prayers for events that just happened.  For example; after baptism there is the “We receive you into the household of God…prayer.  And after, communion there is the Post communion prayer.  Let us not take God for granted, When God has done something, or just been present with you in your life and you know it to be so, pause and give thanks, and you too will realize that the heavens are opened to you.

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

Let us pray:

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP p.306)

Daily Office Readings for the last week after Christmas: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 148, 150; Evening, Psalm 91, 92:
Isaiah 65:13-16; Revelation 3:7-13; John 6:15-27:

“Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.” (John 6:21)

This is the “Jesus Walking on the water” story.  Unlike the same story shared in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), We don’t read where Jesus actually got in the boat. It is implied however.

My big takeaway is the words, “Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land towards which they were going.” It seems their desire alone was enough to get them to where they wanted to go. Oh sure, I believe Jesus got into the boat. But that is not my point. If we just want Jesus with us we can get through anything.

In the Gospel according to John, there is no mention of the storm calming or the wind ceasing. No, just the apostles reaching their destination. I don’t know if this was accidentally written this way or not, but it is a divine and holy message, if we just “want” Jesus, we will get to our place of promise.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia; Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, as we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and 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 Tuesday of the Week After Christmas: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23); Evening, Psalm 147:
Isaiah 65:1-9; Revelation 3:1-6; John 6:1-14:

“Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’  One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him,  ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ (John 6; 7 to 9)

Some of us, like Philip, look at what we think cannot be done. And some of us like Andrew, are open to the hope of possibilities. When God is involved, nothing is impossible.

I have a personal saying: “I can never see where God is presently in my life, but as I look back I can see where God was in my life getting me through many “impossible” situations. Perhaps one day I will be on the same frequency as God and see God as God is actively taking my little and making it enough while it is actually happening.

Today we remember William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury (January 10, 1645) and his information may be found at: William Laud.

“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 serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

O God, as we believe and hope in You, keep us ever-mindful that what we have is enough for You to use for the benefit of ourselves and those around us.  Let our hope and trust be never failing in Your divine intervention in human life as we put our whole trust in You. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for January 9: Epiphany: Year 1

Morning,  Psalm 121,122,123; Evening, Psalm 131 and 132;   
Isaiah 63: 1 to 5; Revelation 2: 18 to 29; John 5:1 to 15 

“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ (John 5:6)

When we have been lying in our crippled or depressed, or emotionally damaged state for many years, the question of, “If we want to be made well?” is a good question.  However, being made well might mean not having others give us special attention anymore. It could mean no more mood altering narcotics. It could mean we have to go to work again. Wanting to be made well is truly something to ponder.

Perhaps the crippled man in our John Gospel reading considered all this and used excuses like “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me,” (John 5:7).  Poor thing.  So Jesus becomes the “living waters, “Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.” (John 5:8 and 9)

His excuses were gone.  With our Lord Jesus, our excuses are gone.  Let us not become complacent or lazy, or dependant while validating our perceived wretched state with shallow excuses. Our Lord Jesus is, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Get up, take up your mat and walk as best you can. And if that fails, crawl. And for the rest of us, render help to others more than we ask for help for ourselves. Some of our helpless are placed in our path so that God can see who we really are.

Today we remember Julia Chester Emery, Lay Leader and Missionary, January 9, 1922) and her information may be found at: Julia Chester Emery

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

Let us pray:                                                                                              

O Holy Lord Jesus, the Savior of the world, we want to be made well but are often helpless to help ourselves. Bring Your healing to us as we too often can’t make it to You. Meet us more than half way.  And where we are too comfortable in our weakness, strengthen our desire to be made well and to be open to Your coming to us in Spirit, or in those whom You send to us. Thank You Lord Jesus. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for January 9: Epiphany: Year 1

Morning,  Psalm 121,122,123; Evening, Psalm 131 and 132;   
Isaiah 63: 1 to 5; Revelation 2: 18 to 29; John 5:1 to 15:

“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ (John 5:6)

When we have been lying in our crippled or depressed, or emotionally damaged state for many years, the question of, “If we want to be made well?” is a good question.  However, being made well might mean not having others give us special attention anymore. It could mean no more mood altering narcotics. It could mean we have to go to work again. Wanting to be made well is truly something to ponder.

Perhaps the crippled man in our John Gospel reading considered all this and used excuses like “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me,” (John 5:7).  Poor thing.  So Jesus becomes the “living waters, “Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.” (John 5:8 and 9)

His excuses were gone.  With our Lord Jesus, our excuses are gone.  Let us not become complacent or lazy, or dependant while validating our perceived wretched state with shallow excuses. Our Lord Jesus is, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Get up, take up your mat and walk as best you can. And if that fails, crawl. And for the rest of us, render help to others more than we ask for help for ourselves. Some of our helpless are placed in our path so that God can see who we really are.

Today we remember Julia Chester Emery, Lay Leader and Missionary, January 9, 1922) and her information may be found at: Julia Chester Emery

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

Let us pray:                                                                                              

O Holy Lord Jesus, the Savior of the world, we want to be made well but are often helpless to help ourselves. Bring Your healing to us as we too often can’t make it to You. Meet us more than half way.  And where we are too comfortable in our weakness, strengthen our desire to be made well and to be open to Your coming to us in Spirit, or in those whom You send to us. Thank You Lord Jesus. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for January 8, Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 117 and 118; Evening, Psalms 112 and 113:
Isaiah 59:15 to 21; Revelation 2:8 to 17; John 4:46 to 54

“According to their deeds, so will he repay; wrath to his adversaries, requital to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render requital.” (Isaiah 59: 18)

The word requital means to repay in kind or to pay back somebody for what they have done, good or bad. But vengeance belongs to God.

I have heard in my military days that fore-warned is fore-armed. This leads to what I call “consequential” behavior.  That is, doing or not doing, deeds based on what the payback will be.

To this requital proposition I will remember the phrase from a Christmas song, “so, be good for goodness sake.”  We just need to treat people the way we want to be treated.  And, do not treat anybody in ways we do not want to be treated.  So, let me share with you the tale of “teaching the Torah while standing on one foot.”

So here is what I have borrowed from the Web at ON ONE FOOT – Valley Beth Shalom (vbs.org)

“First, he came to the sage, Shammai and he makes his request, “Teach me the Torah, Rabbi, as I stand upon one foot.” The Talmud teaches that Shammai picked up a builders rule, a piece of a two by four, and smacks him along side of the head, and the man left him. Then he came to Hillel and made the request, “Teach me the Torah as I stand on one foot.” So Hillel taught him: “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah, all the rest is commentary. Zil u’gemar, now, go and learn it.”

I think this is the whole Gospel lesson as well. Following these lessons will keep us out of any negative requital issues that might come our way as divine repayment for any troubles we might have caused others. Go and learn it.

Today we remember Harriet Bedell Deaconess and Missionary (8 January 1969), and her information may be found at: Harriet Bedell.

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

Let us pray:                                                                                       

Help us Dear Lord God to think deeply about how we relate to others always knowing that You are present in all our dealings. Help us to avoid any negative requitals, (or karma in some walks), that we may treat others with love, respect and dignity and receive the same, especially from You Lord God; Amen.  

Daily Office Readings for January 7, Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 103; Evening, Psalms 114 and 115: 
Isaiah 52:3 to 6; Revelation 2:1 to 7; John 2:1 to 11:

“Now therefore, what am I doing here, says the Lord, seeing that my people are taken away without cause? Their rulers howl, says the Lord, and continually, all day long, my name is despised.”  (Isaiah 52: 5)

Four years ago yesterday, was an awful day at our national capital.  There was rioting and someone was killed. There was a perceived attempt to overthrow the presidential election. We pledge that we, these United States of America, are one nation “under God.”  But there was nothing godly about how people behaved in the insurrection that took place on the Day of Epiphany in our Nation’s Capital. The moral light of our Lord was all but extinguished.  But God wins, every time. We, these United States of America, have prevailed.

I am pleased to say that yesterday, four years later, we were much better. We can’t just give lip service to our belief in, and obedience to, God. We must live out our faith with real discipline and respect for national values.  We must maintain integrity and with prayer and patience, do the hard work of working through consensus. This is who we are. This is DRIPP.  It is Discipline, Respect, Integrity, Prayer and Patience. The DRIPP concept works for the individual as well as our country.  This is what the prophet Isaiah pondered.  It is what the saints who have gone before us have said. It is what we must heed. Let us DRIPP on.

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

Let us pray: (for our Country BCP p.820)

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Readings for Epiphany

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7,10-14: Ephesians 3:1-12: Matthew 2:1-12

For surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given to me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. (Ephesians 3:2 to 4)

Paul writes a lot. And while his letter to the Church in Ephesus is considered a “deuteron-Pauline letter,” (that is, actually written by someone else) by most scholars, these words for today reveal the power of revelation.

The writer says “a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.”  The truth is, we should all have some understanding of the mystery of Christ. However, how does one understand a mystery?  For if something is understood, is it still a mystery?  I think we are to try to comprehend as much as we can about the mystery of Christ always accepting that as we learn more, more will be revealed to us. We must stay open to evolving spiritually for as long as we live. And like Paul when traveling to Damascus to do evil, we too must admit when what we are doing is not the will of God and adjust our attitude and goals.

Adjusting what we believe about God is evidence of the light of Epiphany. The Bible gets us started, but once we believe in God, God takes it from there. And like Paul, or whoever is writing for Paul, we too should journal and leave a legacy of our faithful thoughts for those whom we leave behind. In this way we participate in the continuing revelation of the Epiphany of God, a light to those outside of ourselves.

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

Let us pray: (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.

This is the 12^th and Last Day of Christmas and the Eve of Epiphany

Selected Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Epiphany: All Years

Matthew 2:1-12

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2: 1 and 2)

We are all born into some kind of human culture.  Most cultures are primarily predominated by something we have come to recognize as “race.” Too often, too many of us develop a shameful pride with regard to whatever race we claim to be.  This is sad to me. Race is a human construct, not a Godly one.

The Wise Men (or Magi) were primarily astronomers who gazed up at the stars.  They noticed any irregularities occurring in the heavens and maybe even conferred amongst themselves the meaning of any strange happenings.  How they knew a star, or particular shining light, was the signal of a  Jewish infant-king, we will perhaps never know.  What we do know is that these men sought out this king regardless of whatever his ethnicity or race he might be. Perhaps this is what made them “wise men.” They were most probably men, we don’t know how many and we shouldn’t let the three gifts limit the number of men.

They saw a divine light that must have been distinguished from regular stars and planets. It was so precise that it could specifically indicate the place where the child was living.  No star up in the heavens, no matter how bright could stop, and then be low enough to the earth to point to a specific dwelling place. This divine light pointed to the Moral Light of the world.

During the season of Epiphany let us not worry about who we are ethnically, but rather, seek out our Lord Jesus wherever, and in whoever he might be today, male or female.  We are still called to follow that light, that moral light, that leads us to that moral high-ground where we treat each other, all others with dignity and respect regardless of their socio-economic status, national origin, language, sexual orientation, gender, religion, lack of religion, or so-called race.  The other only needs to be human and therefore made in God’s Image.

Wise people still seek him today: Merry Christmas: Day 12

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

Let us pray; Collect for Second Sunday after Christmas Day (BCP p.214)

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.

Today is the 11^th Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for January 4, Year 1

Morning, Psalms 85 and 87; Evening, Psalm 89:1 to 29:
Exodus 3:1 to 12; Hebrews 11:23 to 31; John 14:6 to 14:

“Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed.” (Exodus 3: 1 and 2)

This burning bush, or flaming tree, could perhaps be the prototype Christmas tree. And for those of us who top our Christmas trees with an angel, it is even more fitting. This burning bush was Trinitarian in that it was fire, remained as a continuous living bush, and it had a voice, the burning bush “spoke” to Moses.

For me, the burning bush story in Exodus is one of the greatest examples of life-changing moments of life.  When we experience something extraordinary, something curiously strange, we should take a moment to investigate, to ponder about what is happening. Moses did exactly that.  “Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up” (Exodus 3:3).  In that experience an angel of the Lord was made manifest as the burning bush. When we follow our curiosity about what God is doing, God will engage us, and all we should say is, “Here I am,” and await further instructions.

Angels still top our experiences today: Merry Christmas: Day 11

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and 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.