Author: John Thomas Frazier

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 15: Year B

 John 6:51 to 58:

“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them:” (John 6:56).

Perhaps our Lord Jesus is talking over their heads as he uses metaphorical language that turns them off. He is not suggesting cannibalism here.

 But he is telling them that if they have his teachings in them, they will have eternal life. The teachings were the lessons leading up to His Great Remembrance wherein he fully explains what it means to eat his body and drink his blood. This is to literally become one with Him, and thereby one with God.

The Gospel according to John does not have a written-out Lord’s Supper, like the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Luke and Mark). And, Paul’s First Letter to the Church in Corinth also has the words handed down to him from the Gospel Apostles from the mouth of our Lord Jesus.

Let us then borrow from 1^st Corinthians as does our Episcopal Church: Paul says, “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.  In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1^st Corinthians 11: 23 to 25).

This is really what our Lord Jesus was preparing them for. The Lord’s supper is a love meal, an agape meal, in remembrance of Him. And even after telling us how he wanted to be remembered, we chose the instrument of his death to remember him by. And then of course there is the fish symbol, perhaps the second most recognizable icon of Christianity.

But, how about the cup and bread, the articles our Lord Jesus said he wanted us to remember him by? Maybe the wooden structure our Lord Jesus was inviting us to is the Table of life, not the cross of death. This is something truly to ponder.

Jesus left us a way to become heavenly family by consuming his body and blood in consecrated bread and wine, thus changing who we are, into who God made us to be. Please try not to make this too hard for you to hear. God loves us and left us the Way, the Truth and the Life.

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 Jesus, broaden our minds to understand more fully your message to us, in order that we come to better understand the scriptures; and then with joy and fellowship come to the table of your body and blood that it may fortify us to think, say and do those things pleasing in your sight, You who live, love and save, forever and ever, Amen.

Daily Office Readings of Saturday of Proper 14: Year 2

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

Judges 16:1 to14; Acts 7:30 to 43; John 5:1 to 18:

“Do you want to be made well?”  (John 5:6)

Often, one of the ways we can tell that our priorities are out of order is that we find ourselves watching others and measuring their behavior against our list of what is right and wrong.  “Now that day was a Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.”  But he answered them, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’”  They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take it up and walk’?”  Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had disappeared in the crowd that was there.”  (John 5: 9 – 13)

Before we begin, let’s be clear, all the people in this passage are Jews.  By “the Jews,” The Evangelist simply means temple authorities.  These temple authorities either forgot, or never knew, that the Sabbath was created for people, and not the people for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

Jesus asks the lame man if he even wanted to be made well. This is an important question and it is a universal one.  All too often we become comfortable in our weaknesses or disadvantages.  Some of  the freed Israelites of Exodus came to a point when they wished they were back in Egypt as slaves rather than in the wilderness following Moses. Some people today who suffer from addiction would prefer to be left alone rather than attend AA meetings.  Yes, the question of “Do you want to be made well?” is a universal one that we all must deal with.  Of course our lame man doesn’t give an immediate “Yes” to the question. Rather, he formulates excuses for why he can’t get to the healing waters.  Jesus proves to be superior to the healing waters by just saying “Take up your mat and walk.” Like today, it was the Sabbath!  Our Lord Jesus is so awesome!

In his defense, the man who was made well, really didn’t know who Jesus was. But the temple authorities felt threatened. They wanted to know who it was that said to him, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’ Note that they were more concerned with the newly healed man carrying his mat than the fact that he was made well.  Now these temple authorities could not have done what Jesus did on any day of the week, yet they felt their position threatened. So their response is to hunt down our Lord Jesus who is doing good works in order that they might put him to death.  This is so sad.

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 and ever-living God, as you visited us in our Lord Jesus and have compassion for us, listen to us as we become aware of our hindrances. And help us when we come to you in whatever way is best for us in order that we might witness your saving grace to others and draw the world to you, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper14: Year 2

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

Judges 14:20 to 15:20;  Acts 7:17 to 29;  John 4:43 to 54:

“Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.  As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive.  So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, “Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.”  The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he himself believed, along with his whole household.  Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.” (John 4: 50 – 54)

Once again we see that Jesus does not have to be physically where the trouble or sickness is to fix the problem or heal the sick. All our Lord Jesus has to do is say the word, and it is done.

But let me also draw your attention to the fact that the man “believed” the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.  As I have said many times before, believing is everything.  As I have studied the language and culture of antiquity, I find that the word trust is the more definitive word for what we have as the word believe. The man with the dying son “trusted” in our Lord Jesus. And so do I.

Notice that the word faith is not a word that any English Christian translation of the Bible uses in the Gospel according to John. Faith is a noun.  Faith is the word used in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).  John’s Gospel wants action.  Believing (or trusting) is a verb.  This again is why I crafted my own personal statement of faith.  Here it is (again):

“I Trust in the Creating Word through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word, in whom we live and move and love and have our being, and to whom, we all must give an account.”

How would you sum up your faith, or just your outlook about life?  Try to write a simple sentence that says what you believe, or trust in.  My own creed does not replace our Prayer Book Nicene Creed, or Apostle’s Creed.  It is just a quick explanation of what I believe that can be said while standing on one foot, or in an elevator.  My faith statement has evolved as I have pondered over the years.  So might yours also, as you ponder anew what Christian life means to you.

“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 most holy Lord Jesus, through whom all life has its existence, help each of us to trust more and more in your word, that same word that sustains the life you brought into being. Help us dear Lord Jesus, for without your help we are lost. We trust in you Lord Jesus; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 14: Year 2

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

Judges 14:1 to 19; Acts 6:15 to 7:16; John 4:27 to 42:

“They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

Yes true, but they would not have even known that the Savior of the world was near if it had not been for the unnamed woman coming to them with this valuable information. Once again, the most valuable information a community could have, is delivered by a woman. And in this case, perhaps not a woman the village is proud of, or has shown any degree of love and respect.

She comes to the well alone at noonday, the hottest part of the day. She avoids others and their judgmental attitudes.  Maybe she has not made the best of her life.  Then again, maybe she played the cards that she was dealt in life the best she could.  She has had several husbands, which does not escape Jesus, but yet he loves her, and offers her the full life of living waters. Our Lord Jesus can, and does, use anybody to bring messages of hope. Even if we give up on ourselves, our Lord Jesus does not give up on us.

This is where we are today.  As a preacher, it has been my privilege and honor to inform people that God, in Christ Jesus, is near. And that God loves you no matter how many mistakes you have made or what others think of you.  Do not believe this only because I said so.  Believe this because you have heard it for yourselves throughout your lives, and have experienced little glimmers of grace in your own life.  Thank You Lord Jesus. God is good, all the time.

Today we remember the Virgin Mary; Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. St. Mary the Virgin (satucket.com)

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 in Christ Jesus, you meet us where we are and offer us living waters. Refresh us daily I pray, in order that we might also carry your message of salvation as living waters to those perishing of spiritual thirst. Thank you Lord Jesus for your forgiving us our sins and your example of compassion that we should emulate as we meet others in like condition. In your most holy Name we pray; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 14: Year 2

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

Judges 13:15 to 24; Acts 6:1 to 15; John 4:1 to 26:

I chose two readings for today to ponder about:

“And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables.  (Acts 6:2)

And also, John: “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”  (John 4: 24)

Today’s readings presented me with hard choices.  On the one hand I am disappointed about the self-righteous attitude of the apostles; on the other hand, I love the words of our Lord Jesus about who God is, the nature of God. 

I think the apostles wrongly decided that, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables.” I beg to differ.  Servitude IS the Word of God. After John and James were caught trying to get good positions in heaven, and the rest of the apostles became angry, Jesus explains the importance of servitude. He told them,  “It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  (Matthew 20:26 – 28) Therefore, in my humble opinion, the apostles were wrong. Serving tables IS following Christ, it IS carrying out the word of God.

From the Gospel of John, Jesus explains to the woman at the well that God is not some old human looking man on a throne far away.  God is Spirit! God is Truth!  We must get rid of any notion that God is humanlike, save God Incarnate, Jesus himself.  God can, and should, be worshiped everywhere, and always. But my beloved of the Lord, don’t forget that, “God is spirit, and those who worship [God] must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4: 24)

Today we remember Jonathan Myrick Daniels (August 14, 1965): Seminarian, civil rights advocate and martyr: Jonathan Daniels (satucket.com)

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 created us to be with, and to love and serve one another, you covered our spiritual selves with flesh, blood and bones, whereas you remained only Spirit, Holy Spirit. Constantly remind us that we are spiritual beings learning to be human, not humans learning to be spiritual. You who live and love forever and ever, Amen.

Daily Office Readings of Tuesday of Proper 14: Year 2

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

Judges 13:1 to 15; Acts 5:27 to 42; John 3:22 to 36:

“But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time.  Then he said to them, ‘Fellow-Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men.  For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared.  After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.  So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;  but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!”  (Acts 5:34 – 39)

This is very wise counsel from the Pharisee Gamaliel. He uses their history to show that there have been people who have come before but did not prove lasting.  When these former leaders rose up to change things, people followed as long as the leader was alive.  But when he died, they scattered. 

Our Lord Jesus said the same thing about “striking the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.”  But Jesus left good and faithful shepherds in his place.  And as Jesus rose from the dead, more and more followers came to follow him. It is still hard for me to wrap my head around having the apostles flogged before releasing them but that is what happened.  I think the flogging them is because of the jealousy of the High Priests.  They were about human designs, not Godly ones.

So while the other want-to-be leaders lost people when they died, our Lord Jesus gained more and more followers, and, is still gaining followers today.  Yes, Gamaliel, Jesus is from God, and no one will be able to overthrow us.  With daily Christian practices of prayer, and where two or three come together, in person or virtually, we will always have someone who keeps the Christian fires going even if something happens to those who lead. We will prevail in this life, and certainly in the next.

Today our Church remembers Jeremy Taylor: Bishop and Theologian (August 13, 1667) His information can be found at Jeremy Taylor (satucket.com)

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: (From Jeremy Taylor)                                      

O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies cannot be numbered; Make us, we beseech thee, deeply sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of human life; and let thy Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days: that, when we shall have served thee in our generation, we may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony of a good conscience; in the communion of the Catholic Church; in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope; in favour with thee our God, and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 14: Year 2

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

Judges 12:1to 7; Acts 5:12 to 26; John 3:1 to 21:

“Yet more than ever believers were added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mats, in order that Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he came by.  A great number of people would also gather from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all cured.” (Acts 5: 14 – 16)

This is a testament to the power of faith.  I am a Star Wars fan (fanatic).  In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker’s spacecraft is submerged in a swamp.  Yoda, the Jedi Master, tries to have Luke raise it using the Force.  Luke fails and replies, “You want the impossible.” Yoda then uses the Force and lifts the craft out of the muck.  Luke tells Yoda “I didn’t believe it could be done.”  Yoda replies, “That is why you failed.”  Star Wars is fictional art but beautifully crafted and contains certain truths in terms of our human story and the real power of belief. 

The people, both men and women, who carried their sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats in order that Peter’s shadow might pass over them were beyond asking Peter personally to see them and heal them.  They believed in the presence and healing power of one who was handpicked by our Lord Jesus and who was with him after he was raised from the dead by God. If he has a shadow then he exists. They needed nothing else.  They “believed” that the evidence of his presence, his shadow, would heal their loved ones and cast out unclean spirits, and they were vindicated.

Beloved of the Lord, all the medicine we will ever need is already in us.  Time after time when people were praising Jesus for their healing, Jesus would tell them, “Go, your faith has made you well.” Our faith still makes us well.  And like the men and women who took their loved ones to Peter’s shadow, it was not the faith of sick ones that brought the healings, rather, it was the faith of the believing family and friends that brought them near to Peter that brought about the cure.  And this happened whether Peter even knew about it or not.  Faith still moves mountains.  All we need to do is believe and we too will be made well, or cause to be made well, those dear to us. If we don’t believe, we have failed already.

And speaking of healing, today we remember Florence Nightingale:

“Florence Nightingale, whom we remember today, was born to a wealthy English family in Florence, Italy, on May 12, 1820. Like most mystics, Florence had a very prayerful side. In truth, she was an Anglican, and, as an Anglican, she remained committed to a personal mystical religion, which sustained her through many years of poor health until her death in 1910. Until the end of her life, although her illness prevented her from leaving her home, she continued in frequent spiritual conversation with many prominent church leaders of the day, including the local parish priest, who regularly brought Communion to her. By the time of her death on August 13, 1910, her accomplishments and legacy were widely recognized, and she is honored throughout the world as the founder of the modern profession of nursing.”  (Great Cloud of Witnesses for August 12)

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:

Dear Risen Lord Jesus, as you are the creating and sustaining portion of God; sustain our believing in your healing and allow our faith in you, to make manifest in us, healing in whatever way we believe it will work for us. You who live and love forever and ever, Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 14: Year B

John 6:35 and 41 to 51:

“It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” (John 6:45)

Our Lord Jesus says that the people who come to him are in fact sent to him by the Creator.  I think this is true for me. I remember taking chemistry and philosophy in my undergraduate studies.  I was attending college classes at night after work.  So while it was not advised to take a full class load while working, it was a challenge to compare the two. 

On the one hand I had the elemental nature of science which showed all the known elements of which the simplest seemed to me to be hydrogen. How old was hydrogen?  In philosophy, there is thought, how old was thought.  Then the big question was like the chicken or the egg – which came first, the atom or the thought? 

Did atoms, in some way assemble together to form thought? Or, was the atom itself the product of  Thought? (notice the capital “T”).  So you can see that my early ponderings brought me to a stronger belief in God.  And from God I was brought to our Lord Jesus, not necessarily to the Bible or even Church, but to the Incarnation. The Bible and the Church came later.  From the Incarnation however, came love. And from love, I have not moved.

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, you have no beginning and no end. You are Alfa and Omega. Your sacred and creative wisdom has brought together all creation to include humanity in your Image. Continually lead us and guide us O God to think, say, and do those things pleasing in your sight through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior: Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 13: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136; 

Judges 9:22 to 25 and 50 to 57; Acts 4:32 to 5:11; John 2:13 to 25:

“But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.” (John 2: 24 – 25)

This Gospel says that our Lord Jesus knows what is in everyone.  This reminds me of Jesus’ remark about Nathanael when he saw Nathanael approaching him. “When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” (John 1: 47).  Yes, we perhaps can fool one another, but we can’t fool Jesus.  Jesus knows what is in you.

Sometimes, I think we try to even fool ourselves.  If we tell ourselves the same lie often enough we will start to believe it.  At some point in our lives we need to be honest with ourselves, even if not honest with others. Perhaps if we start with ourselves, in time, we will expand out to others as well.  We have no choice with Jesus; He already knows what is in us.

I am no Nathanael.  But I am a work in progress.  I am in the crowd prepared to throw a stone at someone guilty when I hear my Lord Jesus say “let those who have not sinned cast the first stone.”   And that makes the stone fall from my hand. (John 8:7).  Once again he knew that each person who wanted to stone the woman carried their own sin. And the truth is, they each knew of their own sin also.

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we all fall short.  We are probably not Nathanael. But most of us are works in progress.  We must persevere.  More than just being aware of our sin, Jesus wants to cure us of our sins. We must ponder, persevere and pray, “Help Me 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:

Most Holy Lord Jesus, as you already know what is in each of us, help us to acknowledge it ourselves and then help us to strive to perfect our short-comings in order that we might be more like Nathanael in whom you found no faults. Amen.

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening,  Psalms 91 and 92;
Judges 9:1 to 16 and 19 to 21; Acts 4:13 to 31; John 2:2 to12:

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

I confess, I am a Mary fan. Mary was a thinking person, a pondering person. Perhaps it was this pondering quality that impressed God and why God chose her to be the Mother of our Lord Jesus. Mary gave birth to her Lord who in turn gave her eternal salvation, and also us today who believe.

We will learn as we read the Gospels that Jesus can multiply fishes and loaves.  Therefore, Mary never ran out of food during the thirty or so years that she shared a house with her Son.  All she had to do was ask, and it was done.  We can see then that when the wedding hosts ran out of wine, it was natural for Mary to let Jesus know about the situation with full expectation that he would respond.  This too is true for us today.  We must ask with full expectation that our Lord Jesus will respond, but the response requires our obedience.

While Jesus sort of rebuffs her requests, she has already turned away from him and looking intently into the eyes of the “servants”, into our eyes, and she says to us, “Do whatever he tells you.”  For me, this is the most powerful, albeit shortest, sermon in the Bible.  All we need to do is make our needs known and then do whatever he tells us.  From Mary I learn that as Christians, we ponder, we pray and we obey.

“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, Russia, Israel, 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 remember the sad story of Edith Stein today: Edith Stein (satucket.com)

Let us pray:

A Collect for Fridays

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen. (BCP 99)