Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 2: Year 2

Morning,  Psalm 1, 2 and 3; Evening, Psalm 4 and 7;
Proverbs 3:11 to 20; 1^st John 3:18 to 4:6; Matthew 11:1 to 6:

“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” (1^st John 18)

Both our Proverbs and 1^st John Readings address their readers as “child” or “little children, in the NRSV translation.”  And quickly after the word child or children, we are told what not to do. “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments:” from Proverbs. And, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action,” from 1^st John.

I think keeping commandments by loving in action are the same message. I also believe that the only way to keep any behavior is to make such behavior a daily habit. We must practice doing over saying. We remember good lessons by regularly hearing them , even if the sound comes from our own voice.  Therefore, we pray ourselves into keeping God’s Commandments and loving in action.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

Today, we Episcopalians , recall our first Book of Common Prayer. This rich (and controversial) history can be found at: Book of Common Prayer (satucket.com). This could prove interesting as we journey into the “Propers”  after the Sunday of Pentecost.

Let us pray:

Dear Holy Spirit of God, we ask you to let your Spirit dwell in us and give us a deep desire to keep your commandments of love in action, as we also strive to pray more deeply in order to do that behavior that is most pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Pentecost Sunday: Year B

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Jesus said to his disciples, “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning;” (John 15:26-27).

Today our Church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit! This story amazes me. It reminds me of the relationship of Superman with Lois Lane. Clark Kent changes from suit, tie and glasses to blue tights, and red cape and she, nor anybody else can recognize him.  

Our Lord Jesus announces that he is going back to the place where he was before he came to us. But he acknowledges that he and the Holy Spirit can’t be with us at the same time. This is a hint that Clark Kent never declared. So, waking up from the Lois Lane in us, let us realize that the Holy Spirit whom we are thankful for this day is none other than the Holy Spirit of Jesus himself; the Same Holy Spirit who met Saul on his way to Damascus later.

We learn from our Acts lesson that this Holy Spirit can use us in ways we know not, for example, speaking in foreign tongues about abilities beyond our normal capacities.  All we have to do is receive the Holy Spirit of our Lord Jesus and follow where he leads, and do and say what he tells us to do and say. Jesus says further in our Gospel reading for today, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

As Peter recalls from Joel, and, as an old man now, I do in fact dream dreams of how things should be. What a great world we would have if we didn’t need police or the military. This may be some of the things Jesus wanted to tell us but we still can’t bear them.  We are still not there yet. Let us continue to strive to follow the lead of God’s Holy Spirit through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Lord Jesus, as you have come to us in your holy and invisible presence, lead us and guide us in all truth. Help us to open ourselves to your guidance, even when that guidance is to just be still and quiet and know that you are God. We thank you so much for the presence and leadership of your Holy Spirit in our lives; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 7^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 107:33-43, 108; Eve of Pentecost Psalm 33;

Ezekiel 36:22 to 27; Ephesians 6:10 to 24; Matthew 9:18 to 26:

“ Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”  (Ephesians 6: 18)

Paul says to “pray in the Spirit.”  How do I do that?  Do I sit quietly and meditate on what I want God to do?  Do I ask the Spirit to pray through me?  That has been said by Paul, that it is not we who pray but the Spirit who prays through us. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groaning too deep for words. And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God;” (Romans 8: 26 and 27).  I think both of these concepts are correct.

It is at least an American tradition to incorporate prayer into events. We have become accustomed to asking someone to pray at meals, or, for the opening or closing of meetings or ceremonies.  And we have framed prayer as religious words heard at key points of events.  I am normally chosen to perform these prayer duties when I am present, or asked to be present.  I think the writings that were read by our early Christian parents encouraged our parents to pray quietly. In fact, we may not have been able to tell when they were praying and when they were not.  Prayer is not restricted to Church. Church depends on prayer prayed outside itself. Prayer, sitting with our Creator and being open to divine instruction, is the most important experience we can have on any day, but more especially on a Sabbath Day like today.  

Occasionally however, people need to hear words of adoration to assist them in their spiritual focus.  When it’s needed, it should be provided. When audible prayer is needed it should be remembered that what is heard comes from the silent, loving heart of a faithful person.  Just as St. Francis said “go out and preach the Gospel and when necessary use words,” I say, pray always, and when necessary use words, words that others may need to hear.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Holy and Merciful Spiritual Presence of God, who assist us in our worship of you, be present with us in our quiet times in order that when we speak, we may speak of your abiding presence in our lives, and when we so speak, we use words that assist our neighbors in their own worship of you. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 7^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1-32;
Jeremiah 31:27 to 34; Ephesians 5:1 to 20; Matthew 9:9 to 17:

 “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 31: 34)

At St. Paul’s in the Pines Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, I used to keep our chapel Bible open to Jeremiah 31: 31 to 34, open for all who come into the chapel to see this important reading. I believe it is one of many prophesies foretelling the coming of our Lord Jesus found in the Hebrew Testament.

In this passage Jeremiah speaks for God and says, “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” (Jeremiah 34:33).  I interpret this to mean that with the coming of Jesus all of us will realize our connection with God.  The love-law of God is written on our hearts and minds.  We may not use it, but it is in us.

I tell my listeners that I am not their connection to God.  My job has always been to let them know that they have a “First-hand” connection to God themselves. My job is, and has always been, to let them know about this Jeremiah revealed connection. Also, I inform them that God desires an audience with them.  As a result of this preaching, one of my beloved parishioners brought a plaque to church that reads, “We need to talk, God.”  I immediately posted it where it could be seen by all.

This Jeremiah reading, and my time in Spiritual Guidance, has taught me that every human being has the capacity to connect with God.  We only have to access it. In one of her writings the great mystic Evelyn Underhill said “mysticism is not only reserved for a saintly few, but is available to all who seek to explore it.” As Jeremiah says, “for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord.” So now I tell you who read this, God wishes to talk with 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, Russia, Israel, Palestine and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

Today we remember Thurgood Marshal, Lawyer, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and devoted Episcopalian (1993). His information can be found at: Thurgood Marshall (satucket.com).

Let us pray:

Most holy Lord God, as you have planted in each of us our loving connection to you, draw us to use this holy connection always in order that we might be more loving in our daily lives, and in our response to your call on our lives each day. In your holy Name we pray, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 7^th Week of Easter: Year 2

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

Zechariah 4:1 to 14; Ephesians 4:17 to 32; Matthew 9:1 to 8:

“They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.” (Ephesians 4:18)

When Paul says “they” he refers to the people he calls the Gentiles, or the Nations. These are people outside of his believing community. These are the same people he feels called to bring the message of Good News of God in Christ.

Today we could use the language of “alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart,” to describe even our fellow Americans who, in many cases, say they are Christian.  But they show ignorance and hardness of heart with political divisiveness and polarizing personalities. We suffer from a, “whose team are you?,” mentality.  It is not the way we Christians are suppose to live.  It is not speaking truth to our neighbors, but instead speaking handed down rhetoric parroted from misguided leadership. It is not who we are supposed to be, it is falsehood.

St. Paul says, “So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger;” (Ephesians 4: 25 – 26).  We can be angry without acting on such anger. I, at one time, worked with Clinical Social Workers while in the Marines as we dealt with domestic violence issues.  It took a lot of time to show the young men (I only dealt with men) that there was a specific point in which they decided to move from being angry to striking out. Separating the two can be done.  In the military we couldn’t talk about Jesus. That may be why I’m doing this work now, it is Jesus based. Paul goes on and says, “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you;” (Ephesians 4: 31 – 32). Folks, if we give in to the darkened teachings of a polarized culture, we are turning our backs on who God wants us to be, and the real love God has planted in us through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have been equipped to forgive one another, but too often we choose not to. Too often we would rather be hard-hearted than tender-hearted.  We are not the Gentiles or the Nations. We are Christians.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Lord Jesus, please continue to lead and guide us as we often can’t get out of our own way. Help us to restrain our impulse to react or retaliate when we are faced with differences of opinion. Enable us dear Lord to restrain our emotions and carefully choose loving responses to every situation we find ourselves in. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 7^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 101, 109:1-4 (5-19) 20-30; Evening, Psalm 119:121-144;

Isaiah 4:2-6; Ephesians 4:1-16; Matthew 8:28-34

“Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood.”  (Matthew 8:34)

There are a few observations to take note of in this story.  The Gospel of Matthew has two demoniacs approach Jesus, Mark 4 and Luke 8 have only one demon possessed man approach Jesus in their similar episodes. In all the versions the demons leave the man and enter pigs.  I don’t know whether it is a blessing or a curse but I ask different questions than the commentators I have read.  Jesus does not move the evil spirits to the pigs, but rather he allows them to move themselves.  All versions have the pigs with demons drown to death.  My question however is, cannot the evil spirits simply move into the fish; the fish that are then caught by those who fish in waters of Galilee, namely, the very disciples of Jesus, and others? This evil cycle of possession would just continue, wouldn’t it?  Am I reading too much into it?  I do ponder.

What I want to glean from this story is the fact that this was Gentile territory and raising pigs was this family’s livelihood.  Jesus destroyed an income source, or at least, allowed it to happen.  The people of that place begged him to leave either because he had a scary amount of power, or that he caused poverty for a family, or for both.  My sources, did say that there is a cost associated with following Jesus.  And I would add, the cost itself can often be scary too.

My theological studies have caused changes in my life, good changes I think.  This blog is one example. My respect for Saturdays as Sabbath is another. My understanding of first good and then evil, is yet another. The cost of my evolving is made manifest in how I now divide my time. I have had to stop some activities in order to have time for my new way of living into the Spirit. I don’t consider this cost scary.  I am evolving into a more spiritual person and I like it.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Lord Jesus, as we often seem to spin in never-ending cycles of stagnation, please help us to spiral upward as we spin in our circle of life, following the guidance of Your Holy Spirit in order that we may advance in decency and love for You and for one another.  In Your most holy Name we pray, Amen.  

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 7^th Week of Easter: Year 2

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

1^st  Samuel 16:1 to 13a; Ephesians 3:14 to 21; Matthew 8:18  to 27:

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1^st Samuel 16: 7)

For their first king, God allowed the people of Israel to have a say in the selection of their king.  But now, even though God does not like the idea of them having a king other than God’s self, God will select from among mortals for them. 

God is not looking at height, or intellect or race or gender from among the early Israelites or us today. God is only concerned with a potential leader’s heart, with his or her compassion for others. We should be the same way. When we select leaders we should be most concerned with the heart and compassion of a potential leader.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 you enable us to help ourselves through leaders of compassion, teach us we pray to be more concerned about the welfare of all people, cultures, and families in order that our view of potential leaders will be closer to the way you see us, You who live, love and rule forever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 7^th Sunday of Easter: Year 2

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

Joshua 1:1 to 9; Ephesians 3:1 to 13; Matthew 8:5 to 17:

“When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and cure him.’ The centurion answered, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.”  (Matthew 8: 5 – 8)

A believing Roman commander (centurion) approaches our Lord Jesus for help.  In as much as he is asking Jesus for healing for his servant (whom he must truly love), but was not present,  this is intercessory prayer.

 I know parents who took their sick child to Europe for healing, healing that was not offered in the U. S. My point here is that we tend to drop boundaries when it comes to the lives of those we love. This centurion is a hoping believer.  He has heard about the healing power of the man called Jesus. He is desperate.  He has nothing to lose.  Jesus senses the anxiety of the centurion and says ‘yes’ to his request and the servant is healed. The commander shows a deeper than average faith in the power of Jesus.  When Jesus offers to come to his house the centurion shows that he has an understanding of the kind of power that Jesus has. He didn’t have to see it being done to witness it.  He just needed Jesus to say ‘yes.’

The take-away for me (and maybe for you also) is that our Lord Jesus seems to be as moved by the anxiety of those asking for others, as he is moved for the person in trouble themselves, maybe even more.  Jesus says in John’s Gospel, “Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God, Believe also in me.” (John 14:1)  I say often that God’s ears hears tears.  I am now seeing also that a troubled heart attracts our Lord Jesus. Maybe we can take a page from the centurion’s playbook and take our concerns to Jesus and know that we don’t have to physically see Jesus follow us.  We will see the healing in Jesus saying ‘yes.’ 

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

Today our Church remembers Frances Perkins, Public servant and prophet witness, “(April 10, 1880– May 14, 1965) was the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, and the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet.” More can be found at Frances Perkins (satucket.com)

Let us pray:

Dear Healing Lord Jesus, through whom all creation came into being and who knows every part of our bodies and minds, We beg you to hear us as we come to you on behalf of those we love. When our loved ones are in pain, we too are in pain. Please come to the aid of those we seek your help for as well as ourselves. We ask this of you, the Master Healer of all creation; Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Readings for the Seventh Sunday after Easter: Year A

John 17:1-11:

“And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.” (John 17:11 NRSV)

Perhaps the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), is not the best translation of this prayer between our Lord Jesus and his inmost self, God Almighty.  I always compare other translations as I prepare the words I intend to share with you.  The New International Version, (NIV) reads, “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.”

The difference between these two readings is, in the NRSV, Jesus indicates he has already left the world.  In the NIV, Jesus talks about a very near future departure. I am always skeptical about an ancient language that has been translated many, many times. What I glean from this passage, in any language, is that our Lord Jesus is standing in both dimensions, both heaven and earth at the time of His prayer.

Jesus further says that we are in Him and He is in us, and together, we are in the Creator. Wow!

As believers we should act and behave as we understand, and truly believe, that we are in our Lord and our Lord is in us. Right now we have one foot on earth and the other in life eternal in paradise.

 Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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:

Oh, most Holy and life-giving Lord God, as part of Your existence resides in each of us, as it is made known to us by Your Incarnate Word, our Savior Jesus Christ, teach us we pray through our ancient scriptures to yield to Your lead in our lives. Enable us more and more to come together as one in You as You are in us beneath our outward looks and diverse cultures and languages, where Your love in us prepares us for our journey to You, most Holy and life-giving Lord God. Amen.

Daily Office Readngs for Saturday of the 6^th Week of Easter: Year 2

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

Numbers 11:16 to 17 and 24 to 29; Ephesians 2:11 to 22; Matthew 7:28 to 8:4

“For through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)

For through our Lord Jesus, superficial race groupings like, blacks and whites, along with groups like gays and straights, rich and poor, nationals and foreigners, have access in one Spirit to the Creator of all life, and through the Creator, one another.

This access does not mean giving up “who” we are ( although it very well may mean giving up “what” we think we are). We have a uniting Spirit through our Lord Jesus. “For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Ephesians 2:14).  So we are one Spirit group. We look different, we sound different, and we enjoy different foods and music and so on. None of what we enjoy should be based on our skin color or hair texture, or even if we have no hair.  We are free to seek our own joy.  We are all pulled together for living and loving each other, and enjoying our various cultures and lifestyles, through God.  For God is the One in whom we all live, love, move and have our being.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone, In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.” (Ephesians 2: 19 – 22)

We are meant to approach one another knowing that we are already united by means of God’s Spirit.  It makes no difference about our language, skin color, religion, or place of origin.  We are all God’s people, we are all spiritual cousins. We should be behaving that way.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 living and loving Holy Jesus, you modeled for us how we should live, love and appreciate our differences as we approach life. We pray that you enable each of us to have access in one Spirit to the Creator, making our spiritual connections with each other more and more clear every day. Amen.