Author: John Thomas Frazier

New Testament Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Proper 22: Year B

Mark 10:2-16

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

How do we know what (or who), God has joined together?  Marriage is such a touchy issue in the Church.  In the early Hebrew Testament men just took women to be their wives and didn’t necessarily stop at one. We have many stories where certain men had two wives for example Jacob and Lea and Rachel; and Elkanah, “He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children:” (1^st Samuel 1:1 and 2).  He was the father of Samuel the Prophet.  There are others also to include Moses. These persons did not divorce, but rather added to their marriage. It seems that with the New, or Christian Testament, the influence of the Greeks and Romans persuaded at least the Christian Jews to adhere to the one man and one woman marriage. There is also the relationships of same sex soul mates that happen and who God made them to be. Remember, I’m just pondering here. But I’m trying to make sense of it all.

There are more questions around marriage and divorce that must be resolved by our God given reason rather than the ambiguous and often contradictory writings of scripture. Remember, the sixteenth century priest Richard Hooker who said that we have the three legged stool of scripture, tradition and reason. In our Anglican and Episcopal Church, the three legs are equal in support of our faith. However, reason, with prayer, must take the lead when necessary.

There are the questions of same sex marriages, there are questions of whether the Church should be doing what was at first considered a civil matter until only about 800 years ago when the Church became aware of its possible control of the institution of marriage. Also, should Roman Catholic Priests be allowed to marry? Many such questions are still out there.

Divorce then brings the subject back to being a civil matter again. Should couples stay in a toxic and unloving, sometimes abusive marriage?  I think not, but as far as I know, no Church has an “un-marriage” ceremony. So, who is God joining together? Does sexuality, or race, or faith, or pregnancy, or the Church, or Ordination, prophecy who God joins together?

Jesus teaches us using metaphor. As he himself often refers to himself as the bride groom and us his bride, so too the little children in today’s Gospel reading does not necessarily mean young children, but rather, young in believing. One may come to believe late in life. But they are here. Like Abraham, we are called from our old way of believing to the truth. Jesus is Truth.

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

A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 21: Year 2

 Morning, Psalm 107:33 to 43 and Psalm 108:1to 13); Evening, Psalm 33;

Hosea 11:1 to 9; Acts 22:17 to 29; Luke 6:27 to 38     

“And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him.” (Acts 22: 23 and 24)

The momentum of the crowd began to control the tribune and his centurions.  They were having a tantrum, just as a child would do in a supermarket when he or she does not get their way. The shouting and throwing off their cloaks does not say much for me, but tossing dust into the air is weird.  Did they not know that what goes up, must come down?  But more than that, I have crafted an acronym from the word dust.  It is, “Don’t Unnecessarily Share Thoughts” or DUST.  I have witnessed people that I liked get fired because reporters asked them what they thought, and as a result, they were fired.  This was sad.  Paul also gets in trouble for what he both thinks and believes.  I think we all have a right to think or believe what we want.  We are all evolving.  What we think today, maybe totally different next month or next year. The same is true for what we believe.  

We ponder about things and we evolve.  Yes, we have fits about things that we don’t like and it indeed may cause us to shout and throw things.  But, for the most part, we get over it.  I would be careful about what we throw into the air however.  It’s going to come back down.  But also, we must be careful and “DUST” even when asked sometimes.  Because sometimes, it’s a trap.  They tried to trap Jesus, and now they are trying to trap Paul.

The other problematic piece in this reading is the examination by flogging?  Sounds like the witch hunts, you can’t win.  You just keep getting beat until you say what the oppressor wants to hear, truth or not.  Paul was a natural born citizen of the Roman Empire.  Not even the Tribune was a natural citizen, he paid for his citizenship.  They had to back off when finding out that he was a Roman citizen.  Apparently there were harsh consequences for harming a Roman citizen.    

Racial troubles still persist throughout this country.  Overwhelming fires and floods are still happening. Yes, we are being examined by flogging; and it hurts.  But Paul has set us a good example; we must persevere no matter what. We must be steadfast in our faith.

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 Friday of Proper 21: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1 to 32;

Hosea 10:1to15; Acts 21:37 to 22:16; Luke 6:12 to 26

“Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, ‘May I say something to you?’ The tribune replied, ‘Do you know Greek?  Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?’  Paul replied, ‘I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.’  When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence; and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:” (Acts 21:37 to 40)

This passage gives us insight into the education of Paul.  He is fluent in both Hebrew and Greek and yet thought to be Egyptian by the Roman tribune who arrested him.  When permitted to speak Paul tells the people who he is and he tells how the Risen Lord met him while on his way to Damascus.

We know that God does not necessarily call the qualified, but rather, qualifies the Called.  Even so, at least in Paul’s case, God, in Christ Jesus, reaches into the life of some well educated, albeit misguided people who have strong faith and then redirects them. Paul, like too few of us, was blessed to have been afforded an education.  Too often however education can squeeze out God. Ironically, people can get too smart for God, or so they think.  Paul was such an educated man but he was misguided. The one thing he had going for him was his faith in God. Everything in the scripture supports Saul or Paul as being a Pharisee, zealous for God as he understood God to that point.  Learning should never stop.  Just when Paul thought he knew everything, our Lord Jesus stopped him in his tracks.  He had a, “wake-up” call. God in Christ Jesus uses our faith as the path to our hearts.  If we first believe in God, God will come to us in revealing ways.  We will have our own conversion story.  And, like Paul, we should tell it as often as we can.

Today our Church remembers Saint Francis of Assisi, Friar (1226) and can be found at Francis of Assisi (satucket.com).

“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

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: and, as we remember Saint Francis today: A Prayer attributed to St. Francis (BCP 833)

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 21; Year 2

Morning, Psalm 105; 1 to 22: Evening, Psalm 105:23 to 45:

Hosea 5:8 to 6:6; Acts 21:27 to 36; Luke 6:1 to 11

“Fellow-Israelites, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place; more than that, he has actually brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” (Acts 21:28)

A few Jewish people from Asia stirred up the people by exaggerating stories about Paul.  They assumed he brought a Greek man into the Temple which in their view would defile the Temple.  The truth is that Paul was only seen with a Greek man, and there is no evidence that he brought him into the Temple.  But what if he did?

I am glad to belong to a community of believers who try to make all welcome.  Someone hearing the people from Asia complain should have said, “So what?”  I know that we still fall short of radical hospitality today in our Church.  We are a work in progress.  This earth is holy.  Therefore everything on this round, blue altar, is holy. This includes each and every one of us.

During the COVID 19 isolation period was a good time to reevaluate our relationship with our buildings. I like the stained glass windows, and the Altar as the central focus, the candles, Books of Common Prayer, and flowers in season.  But none of this is too good for the stranger to also come in and enjoy.  God made every man, woman and child you will ever meet.  That makes them as Holy as everybody else.  They may not always act like it, but they are.  Don’t let them acting like they are not holy, make you act like you are not holy either. You are.  Respect the dignity of every human being. As we are now back together, let us bring the stranger in with us.

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:                                                                    

Most Holy Lord Christ, who came and walked among us as one of us, be with us still and have us see you in each other. Teach us the importance of sharing our bread and our space with those who are without. And when necessary to receive comfort from those trying to help us. We pray especially for those devastated by the recent hurricane around the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina. Help them Lord Christ, and help us to help them. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 21: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 101 and 109, Evening, Psalm 119:121 to 144;

Hosea 4:11 to 19; Acts 21:15 to 26; Luke 5:27 to 39

“After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.” (Acts 21: 19)

Sometimes, in the English language, we lose who we are talking about. The, “his ministry,” could very well mean God’s ministry.  Paul will claim it as his, (Paul’s),  ministry in the eyes of most scholars but I believe all ministry is God’s ministry through Christ Jesus.  When Paul was first commissioned in Chapter 9, the Risen Lord Jesus said, “But the Lord said to (Ananias), ‘Go, for Saul; (later Paul), is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9: 15).

The people to whom Paul is speaking also recognize that there is more to what Paul is doing and saying, than Paul himself.  For, “When they heard it, they praised God. Then they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20).  We like to be proud of what we are doing in God’s Name, but we must remember that it is God’s Holy Name that empowers us to do what we do.

I heard a lay person preach for the first time at his church.  We talked that night after he had time to reflect.  He tried to give me accolades for what he thought I did for him through four years of Education for Ministry.  I had to remind him that what he did in his wonderful sermon was in him all along.  He only needed to learn how to be open to God. 

God wants to work through us, for us. We all have a piece of God within us.  I think clergy today, even like Paul in his day, do the work of God and cause the people of the world to open themselves up to the wonders of God in order that we too might “do the things done among the Gentiles, that is, all people, through [God’s] ministry.”  Therefore  I say to you reading this blog, (clergy or not), settle down, feel God working through you, and then, by word and deed, do the ministry of God.

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:                                                                                   

Almighty God, who made us and loves us beyond measure, I pray you make us open to your hand at work in our everyday lives in order that we all do those ministries pleasing in your sight; in your Creating and Loving Name I pray, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 21: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 94;

Hosea 4:1 to10; Acts 21:1 to 14; Luke 5:12 to 26

“Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” (Luke 5: 12)

Therein lays our biggest dilemma. What does our Lord Jesus choose to do?  Many of us want to be made well.  For many of us, our emotional troubles are as obvious as the physical sores of leprosy.  When we pray, do we even think of the possibility that our Lord Jesus might not choose?

The man with leprosy expressed his humility by first bowing down to the ground.  This is an outward and visible sigh of his totally giving up of himself to Jesus. He said to Jesus, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” The man held nothing back, knowing full well that it was completely up to Jesus. Jesus was so moved by the man’s surrender that he actually reached out and touched the man.  Perhaps, in more ways than one, he probably touched his heart also.  And when Jesus saw the man’s complete handing over his life to God he had compassion for him and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5: 13)

Today we don’t have to lie down prone, prostrating ourselves in such a physical way, although I know of at least one monastic order that does this as a part of taking their life vows. But we are still required to give up ourselves totally to God.  And we must understand that God may not choose to cleanse us in this mortal life.  But let us not be so concerned about a mortal cleansing.  Instead, let us be more concerned about eternal salvation, that is, the immortality that is to come through faith, and with it, a healthy and complete existence in the next realm.

 Eternal salvation means being in Paradise with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ for all eternity.  This is what we really want, and it is what we really want our Lord Jesus to choose to do for us.  How welcome will be the words from our Lord Jesus when he says, “I do choose [you].” Thank You Lord Jesus.

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:

Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all life, help us to remember that we are but dust and to dust we shall return and only through your choosing are we made eternal and kept forever. Help us dear Lord God to surrender ourselves into your will for us, for the benefit of all of us, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 21: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 89: 1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 89: 19 to 52:

Hosea 2:14 to -23; Acts 20:17 to 38; Luke 5:1 to 11

“You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions.”  (Acts 20:34

I think Paul sets a good example for all people in any ministry in these words, that is, to work a regular job and still study and educate people in the Way of the Lord and in the teachings of the Gospel.  This message is not just for ordained persons, it is for any of us who feed the homeless; for those of us who weave prayer shawls; for those of us who have a ministry of driving people to pick up their meds; for those of us who teach Sunday School, and yes, for those of us who are also ordained clergy. I am aware that in a large, main-line Christian denomination, parishioners as well as the clergy themselves, insist on being steadfast in their vocation as pastor.  When I told my spiritual advisor, while still in seminary, that I desired to be a “working priest” he honestly told me that if he was on a search committee he would not even consider me for a clergy position.  That was in 2004.

Today, as the Episcopal Church is reinventing itself, the idea of the working priest, or “bi-vocational” priest is definitely on the table for consideration, especially for our smaller parishes.  There are more benefits to this idea than one might think.  How nice it is to stand before people on Sunday morning conducting the service and your congregants are well aware that you too have worked the whole week just as they have.  And, that working priest then demonstrates pledging and giving to the poor as well.  Paul also says in our reading for today, “In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:36)

I think that people who work in needed secular occupations enhance their lives by also participating in various faith ministries.  It should not be one in place of the other.  This should be both/and, not either/or.  Perhaps the only exception should be a bishop who is the chief pastor of a diocese which by its size and nature becomes his or her primary vocation.  But even to this occupation such clergy might be inclined to teach a Christian Education class as a side contribution. We all should work in community for the maintenance of that community.  A smart person once told me that “everybody can’t be in the cart, somebody is going to have to get out and help push.” Paul says, “You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions.”  I think these two messages are the same.  Proclaiming the Word should be in addition to work, not instead of work.

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:

All mighty God, as you have created us to support one another and to teach one another about your loving grace and mercy, sustain us dear Lord to do both in humble loyalty to your love for us as we follow the examples of Jesus the carpenter, Simon Peter the fisherman, and Paul the tent-maker. Teach us to both make bread and then to break bread together in your Name; Amen.

The Eucharistic Gospel reading for Sunday of Proper 21: Year B

Mark 9:38-50

“But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me;” (Mark 9:39).

Our Current Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church says that we are on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement. Implied in the Bishop’s statement is that there are other paths. And, there are.

But taking a page from Moses’ playbook, (Numbers 11: 26 to 30). “What if all the Churches of the world preached, taught and healed in Jesus’ Name?” Well, if they are Christian Churches, they do. And as Episcopalians, we are not to get jealous or tribal. We are to work with them and be thankful for the help.

Jesus is making the point that whosoever copies the love of God in Christ Jesus, and works in Jesus’ Name, does the work of Jesus.  Much to John’s chagrin in our Gospel reading for today, the unnamed healer did not have to be in their specific group of twelve as long as he or she was copying Jesus’ healings with love and respect.

Jesus also makes the point that if we dedicate ourselves to learning the art of healing with love, we can’t speak out against the very teachings we have dedicated ourselves to. That would be foolish.

Today we have many Christian paths to and through our Lord Jesus to God Almighty. As we dedicate ourselves to Jesus, in which ever denominational road we take, we know that Jesus does not want us to be stopped, nor stop others in who are working in Jesus’ Name. The world today still needs Jesus servers, teachers, and healers of all stripes. My continued prayer is that one day, our stripes will blend back into one flock with one shepherd in this present world, on earth, as it is in heaven.

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: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 20: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136

Hosea 1:1to 2:1; Acts 20:1 to 16; Luke 4:38to 44:

“After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia.  When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers much encouragement, he came to Greece” (Acts 20:1 and 2).

To encourage a person is to build their self esteem.  It is to make them confident in their vocation, occupation, faith, and civic duty. In this reading Paul encourages his disciples and others as he travels. First, he encourages his disciples, and then he encourages the people of Macedonia.  He is full of the “lifting up” language.

We have so many people around us everywhere today that need encouragement.  This encouragement does not mean only saying nice things to people who agree with you.  It means giving hopeless people hope.  I am again reminded of a poor woman who came to our parish while I was leading a meeting.  I excused myself to let the woman know that I couldn’t see her at the moment but shortly I would be able to attend to her.  In her urgency, she asked me “has this church ever “hoped” anyone.”  I was confused at first.  I then realized that she was using an improper past tense of the word “help.”  She wanted to know if we had ever helped anyone before. Apparently she didn’t want to wait for me if we didn’t intend to help, particularly financially.  As it turned out she did not stay.  But her word did stay with me.

We Christians are to “hope” the hopeless.  Hope is not a verb, at least in its normal use.  But I would like to change that.  Can we not “hope” people?  By this I mean encourage people; give people hope.  Remember, we should not necessarily look only for the like-minded people.  Let’s move our encouragement to all those who are human, and so, created in the Image of God, regardless of their political or religious belief . Let’s lift them up, encourage them, and give them hope, let’s hope them.

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 Friday of Proper 20: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms  91, and 92:

 Esther 8:1 to  8, and 15 to 17; or Judith 13:1 to 20; Acts 19:21to 41; and  Luke 4:31 to 37

“If therefore Demetrius and the artisans with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges there against one another. If there is anything further you want to know, it must be settled in the regular assembly. For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.’ When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.”  (Acts 19: 38 to 41)

The unnamed “town clerk” calls for order and rational conduct in accordance with established protocols. Perhaps he is concerned for people and their property on both sides of the argument.  Where is our town clerk of today?

The better question should be, where are our clergy?  Hey!, that’s me.  Like the town clerk, clergy are called to be outside of the political fray and seek order and peaceful resolutions. Clergy must also remember, and be an advocate for all sides of human oppression or discrimination.  Sure, let us be there for minorities and women, but we must also advocate for white men and police persons too.  Too often in our zeal for corrective action we allow the pendulum to swing too far to the other side. 

Maybe more attention should also be given to scientific evidence regarding climate change.  This subject should not be considered a political agenda, but rather, an earth agenda. The town clerk in our Acts reading is one of their own but takes a stand in order to calm things down.  Today, in America, people are protesting which too often morphs into rioting that destroys family businesses.  The town clerk tells his own people that “we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”  Maybe I should be doing more of this kind of work. Town clerk or town clergy, more of us need to step up and take a stand against rioting and vandalism. As I write these words I will ponder more deeply what the Holy Spirit of God is saying to me about these matters. I invite you (clergy or not) to do the same.

“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

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:

O Lord God, teach me to not stand idle in the midst of irrational behavior but to bring peace and calm to those who are disturbed among us. Make me an instrument of your peace and a voice of reconciliation. In Your most holy Name I pray: Amen