Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 5^th Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 121, 122, 123; Evening, Psalms 124, 125, 126;

Exodus 5:1-6:1; 1^st Corinthians 14:20 to 33 and 39 to 40; Mark 9:42 to 50:

 “Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me?”  (Exodus 5:22)

Moses is caught between the rock and the hard place.  His demanding of Pharaoh to release the people of Israel in order that they may go and worship God has caused Pharaoh to be even more severe with the Israelites. Now he will not provide for them the material for making the bricks but also holding the same expectation of quantity of bricks as before. Moses feels trapped.

God has not changed.  Today God will engage us in activities that will inconvenience us and cost us time, and often money.  But like with Moses, God will not abandon us.  People who don’t know or can’t sense God in their lives will only hold you responsible for what is happening (or not happening).  They don’t want to hear our “God-talk.”  They want us to get out of their way.  But we must endure no matter the costs.

I often tell people this is how we know a path is from God.  First, it is inconvenient. Second, it takes us out of our comfort zone.  Third, there is the issue of time and or money (often both). And fourth, the act is for the benefit of someone else, not you. Hey, God has not changed. Just ask Moses.  God is unchangeable. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. But know this, God will not abandon you.

Let us Pray:

Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that is, we give you thanks and praise for your continual love and providence for us, and over us. You walk with us and guide us into right actions for the benefit of the whole human race and for all creation. Help us we pray, to be steadfast in our faith like Moses as we often encounter resistance to your loving ways.  This dear God, we ask in your most Holy Name; Amen.

Today our Church remembers St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus; and can be found at: http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Joseph.htm

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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 5^th Week of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;

Exodus 4:10 to31; 1^st Corinthians 14:1 to 19; Mark 9:30 to 41:

“John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” (Mark 9: 38)

Earlier, in this same chapter, Jesus has told them that he was going to be handed over to those who will have him killed and this is what he came into the world to do. This was Jesus’ lot in his life.  But sadly they were arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest in their own lives, forgetting that our Lord Jesus was sacrificing himself, not promotng himself.  They were so off track.  Now they are confused about someone outside of themselves, doing good works in Jesus’ Name, but because they did not know the person they tried to stop him.  I wonder if they even listened to themselves. Our Lord Jesus sure has a lot of patience. I’m glad he does.  Lord knows, I am always in need of the Patience of Jesus. How about you?

If we don’t learn anything else from the original followers of our Lord Jesus, let us at least learn that we are always learning.  We don’t know it all, and the beautiful part is, nobody else knows it all either.  We are free to go about life in the comfort of knowing that all humanity is trying to figure out life together. We can’t do it apart from one another, not successfully anyway. The more of us that use our Lord Jesus’ Name the better.  Perhaps the best we can do is to learn from others who have also followed Jesus in their own way.  This is why I am  always reading from the writings of the saints.  I call them my heroes. They were still learning right up to the day they departed this life.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, while we believe that you are the Way, the Truth and the Life, we also know that there are many Christian paths learning from your teachings. Give us tolerance Lord Christ as we witness your mighty works made manifest in believers we have not met. Let us be compassionate rather than competitive when we witness your hand at work in others, you O Christ, who works through the faith of all believers for the sake of all people. Amen.

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

Gospel Reading for the 5^th Sunday in Lent: Year B

John 12:20 to 33

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

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

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

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

Let us pray:

Dear Lord Jesus, author of love and peace, you have set the example of love for all humanity to follow and caused a deep desire in us to want to be like you. Assist us as we strive to follow the pattern you have set and let us draw others to your ways for the sake of the kingdom of heaven where you continue to invite us to eternal life. In your name we pray: Amen.

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 4^th Sunday of Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 107:33 to 43; Evening,  Psalm 108:1-6(7-13); 33;

Exodus 2:23 to 3:15; 1^st Corinthians 13:1 to 13; Mark 9:14 to 29:

“He said to them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer.” (Mark 9:29)

I feel like not enough Christian effort is applied in prayer today either. By this I mean the “sit-in-your-room-alone – prayer.” After the disciples of our Lord Jesus failed to cast out the evil spirit by whatever means they were using, Jesus himself interviewed the father of the boy about how long this has been happening. Then Jesus told the evil presence not only to come out of the boy, but also to never enter him again. Our Lord Jesus later explains about our needing to pray more. He says that “This kind can come out only through prayer.”  This is still what we need today.

We have suffered as a planet from this Covid 19 and even some clergy, Christian clergy, have gone along with secular instruction to establish and maintain physical (social) distancing. And that has worked, but perhaps during our time (alone) and distancing, we also prayed, prayed without ceasing.  

Perhaps this physical distancing was good advice for the physical self. How about our spiritual selves?  Sooner or later we will all stand before the One  for whom nothing is impossible.  What response will we give for not coming to our Lord for help?  Our Presiding Bishop once said the most important prayer we can pray is one word, and that word is; “Help.”

Folks, we must have faith and believe. Our Lord Jesus took issue with the father who showed some doubt when he ask, “if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us;” (Mark 9: 22).  To this Jesus responds, “‘If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes” (Mark 9: 23).  My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we must never under estimate the power of our faith in God and the power of prayer that brings to an end whatever troubles us. God loves us so much that God can’t refuse whatever good we ask, but we must trust and ask. And we ask for the benefit of one another everywhere. We don’t ask just for ourselves, our family, or our Church or our Country, but for humankind all over the planet as our news technology today enables us to know what is going on. 

Let us pray:

Most holy and all powerful creating and loving Spirit, please hear our prayers of praise, confession, thanksgiving, intersession, and personal needs. Remind us daily Dear Lord that prayer is our best connection to you and that we should pray daily. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.

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

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 4^th Week of Lent: Year 2

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

Exodus 2:1 to 22; 1^st Corinthians 12:27 to 13:3; Mark 9:2 to 13:

“He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread.”  (Exodus 2: 20)

Moses has killed an Egyptian and has been exposed by an angry Hebrew man, maybe even the same Hebrew man whom he spared the beating.  He is on the run. Just as he got in trouble for saving a man from a beating, he later defends women from harassing shepherds.  Perhaps these are the traits that God saw in Moses and therefore called him to the Burning Bush and enlisted Moses to do more work.  I’m just pondering here. 

Moses is invited to “Break Bread” in the home of Reuel and later marries his daughter (Zipporah).  Some translations say he was invited to a meal.  I like the term “Break Bread.”  I also like, and admire, the courage of Moses. He continues in his way of courage even though he is on the run because of his troubles in Egypt.  God notices his courage and righteousness and will make good use of his character for the benefit of the enslaved Israelites.

The father of the girls also recognized the goodness of Moses and wanted to welcome him into his home. Moses possessed traits the father hadn’t seen in the local men who would rather bully women at the well. Moses didn’t back down when trouble came, be it his Hebrew kin, the Egyptians, except for the pharaoh himself who could have him killed, or even mean spirited shepherds in a foreign land.  With Moses, there was a difference between right and wrong. So the same should be with us as well. When we see an injustice happening we have a moral obligation to intervene.

Let us pray:

O God, the Author of justice and peace, incline our hearts and wills to stand in the breach where we witness injustice taking place. Give us the courage to stand with those who cannot defend themselves. As we partner with the vulnerable, let the oppressors see your presence at work. Amen.

“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

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 4^th Week in Lent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 69: Evening,  Psalm 73;

Exodus 1:6 to 22; 1^st  Corinthians 12:12 to 26; Mark 8:27 to 9:1:

“He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29)

Our Lord Jesus had already asked his close followers, “who do the people say that I am?”   And rumors abound.  There were all kinds of responses.  Then he let the dust settle and he asked those who closely followed him “who do YOU say that I am?” 

The same question applies to us today, we who profess to be followers of our Lord Jesus as Christians. We hear all the time who people, (including some professed Christians), say who they think Jesus is. 

Some folk are so misinformed that they don’t keep the history of our Lord Jesus in New Testament when they speak of Him. Some will have him in and out of the Bible, anywhere from Adam and Eve in the garden, to being aboard the Mayflower as it came to the Americas. And some even say that he is a figment of our imagination.  Fine for them, but who do YOU (reading this blog), say that our Lord Jesus is?  And please, say who he is in your deeds rather than just your words, even as we struggle to love all people.

Say who He is in prayers and deeds as you do not return evil for evil.  Say who He is as you bless those who curse you. For this is who our Lord Jesus is, and how we live out our lives is the only way we can truly say who He is; He is the Messiah! He is the source of eternal life. He is God revealed in human form for the benefit of eternal life for all human beings.

Let us pray:

O Lord Jesus, you are the source of all life through whom all creation came into being. And you set the example for those of us who believe in you to follow. Help us we pray, to say who you are by the way we conduct ourselves in daily life, that in following your example we may teach the world about your unconditional love and abiding peace. Amen.

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

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 4^th Week of Lent: Year 2

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

Genesis 50:15 to 26; 1^st Corinthians 12:1 to 11; Mark 8:11-26:

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die; but God will surely come to you, and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” So Joseph made the Israelites swear, saying, “When God comes to you, you shall carry up my bones from here.” And Joseph died, being one hundred ten years old; he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.” (Genesis 50:24 to 26)

I love re-reading our ancient stories. In the ending of Genesis, Joseph tells us how God can, and will, bring good out of what was intended to be evil. There is a lot of crying with Joseph and his brothers about their sad history, but there is forgiveness with new understanding about what God has done, and is doing.

Joseph tells them that God will come to them and bring them up out of Egypt. He doesn’t say when, or how, or in whom, God will do this. And, after many, many generations of Hebrew families, and many kings of Egypt, we will get Moses. He is the second Hebrew-born, Egyptian-raised person to lead the Hebrews.  God’s action is played out in the person of Moses as it was with Joseph.

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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Lent: Year 2

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

Genesis 49:29 to 50:14; 1^st Cor. 11:17 to 34; Mark 8:1 to 10:

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’” (1Corinthians 11:23 – 24)

In the Synoptic Gospels we learn about how our Lord Jesus wants us to remember Him, as well as here in 1^st Corinthians, where Paul reports how our Lord Jesus gives us the image of how he wants us to remember Him: by the bread and the cup.

It was the bread and wine, the body and blood, that was missing by not being able to attend Church during the onset of Covid. I never thought I, or anybody, would lose Church attendance for Lent, but we did. I missed it as did all of my flock.  As we began to come back to Church, we did so without Holy Communion. Later we resumed with bread only. Then later we returned with both kinds but there is a difference. Now we come to the rail to receive the bread and then some elect to receive wine from individual little glasses and others from the common chalice, each as they are comfortable.

Yielding to change for the sake of safety makes sense. We again receive the body and blood as commanded by our Lord Jesus. But we are using reason, one of the legs of the three-legged stool (of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason), as introduced by Richard Hooker, the 17^th Century Anglican Priest. We are a reasonable people who find ways to fulfill our Christ given destiny of eternal life.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord Jesus, as you are made known to us in the bread and wine consecrated in remembrance of you, be in us each week as we then are in you. Let our weekly intake of you sustain us to do those things that are pleasing in your sight, that fortified by your body and blood we will walk in your ways always.  Amen.

Today our Church remembers Pope Gregory the Great who had a hand in the formation of our Anglican Communion by sending Augustine to England. His bio can be found at:  Gregory the Great (satucket.com)

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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 4^th Week of Lent: Year 2

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

Genesis 49:1to 28; 1^st Corinthians 10:14 to 11:1; Mark 7:24 to 37:

“But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’” (Mark 7: 28)

And with this response from the Syrophoenician mother, our Lord Jesus yielded to her faith.  Some say that this event happened so that we could see God’s inclusive love for all people. Some have even said that this happened as our Lord Jesus was still learning who he was and the nature of his mission with us.  I prefer the first. 

As Jesus intentionally went to lands outside of Israel to heal and teach, it is doubtful that he would not care about this woman’s daughter.  Also, the Syrophoenician mother shows that anyone bringing their problem to our Lord Jesus, if their faith is genuine, they will not be turned away. This is especially true for intercessory prayer.

It is one thing to pray for ourselves and what we might think we need. But God really pays attention to our plea for the needs of others. Also, in the experience, Jesus shows that He does not have to be physically present where He is needed, moreover, He also knows who we are talking about through our own heart without us having to specifically name or identify them. God reaches through us to comfort and heal those who asks us to pray for them or even their unknown (to us) loved ones. So we do it, we pray for them and God responds.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, healing Word of God through Whom all creation came into being. We ask in your Name Lord Jesus because you promised that whatever we ask in your Name it will be done for us. Please walk through our hearts of faith to those we love with your healing powers and restore those we love to health of body mind and spirit. In your Name we pray: Amen.

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

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the 4^th Sunday in Lent: Year B

John 3: 14 to 21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

For most Christians this verse in the Gospel according to John is the most quoted or posted of all references of the Gospel.  People will hold up signs with “John 3:16” written on them and “John 3:16” will be written on walls and on transport vehicles and so on. But I invite you to go deeper into the “him” of this passage. Who is him? Is it Jesus, or God? Is there a difference?  The Gospel according to John opens with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God:” (John 1: 1 and 2).

From this we see Jesus as fully God and yet he comes among us to point to God in order that we might believe in God. Yes, taking on human packaging through Mary so as to be with us, Emanuel, but as one of us, he shows us the loving Creator of all life.

As we step deeper into the words of John 3:16, “him” can be deceptive. This is God showing us God. God should be worshiped and glorified, but most importantly, God should be believed in and obeyed.

Let us Pray:

Most Holy Lord God, who came among us to save us, increase our faith so that by our faith we may trust in your loving goodness all the days of our lives in order that on our last earthly day, we may be born again into Your glorious realm where there is no more crying or dying, but rather, an eternal life of love forever and ever, Amen.

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