Author: John Thomas Frazier

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 121, 122, and 123; Evening,  Psalm 124, 125, and 126;
Nahum 1:1 to 13; 1 Peter 1:13 to 25; Matthew 19:13 to 22:

“If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile.” (1^st Peter 1:17)

There are two meaningful words in the above words from Saint Peter; “deeds” and “exile”. 

It seems there is a certain amount of judgment for us in the next life based on our deeds in this life. I note the absence of what we say we believe religiously.  The charitable deeds we do in life remind me of the feeding, clothing, and visiting of the sheep in Matthew 25 as they are separated from the goats. Regardless of what we say we believe or don’t believe, we need to be good for goodness sake.

I am also reminded that here on earth we are in exile. We have a Father in that heavenly realm who watches how we are living while we are here. We are not meant to live here for all eternity. We are citizens of heaven. 

We have been taught by our Savior to love and worship God Almighty and to worship no one else, or nothing else.  Peter says of Jesus, “Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God:” (1^st Peter 1:21). With our faith and hope set on God we learn to love one another and to do good deeds whenever, and wherever we can, while still here in our exile.

Today we remember James Otis Sargent Huntingto(November 25, 1935)   and his information may be found at: James Otis Sargent Huntington

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

Let us pray: For Quiet Confidence (BCP p. 832)

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 29: Year 1

Psalm 106:1to 18; Evening, Psalm 106:19 to 48;
Joel 3:1-2 and 9-17; 1^st Peter 1:1to12; Matthew 19:1to 12

“His disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But he said to them, ‘Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given.” (Matthew 19:10 and 11)

There are many people who perhaps should not marry, both men and women. Jesus himself did not marry. There are a lot of societal pressures exerted on us to get married but once we do, that same pressure is not there to help us maintain our marital relationships. 

Too many young men and women are not aware of the option of monastic or, personal religious life – a life dedicated to the service of the Lord. It would be wonderful if brothers and sisters from monasteries and convents could have their turn in high schools and universities explaining the monastic way of life.  How many young people would accept a call to this vocation rather than the military, or college, or secular employment and marriage, or, on the negative side, gang involvement and incarceration with  perhaps too early a death?

As our Lord Jesus says, only those to whom it is given can accept such a vocation. I believe that we should make available to our young folk every possible way of honorable life, including and also beyond marriage, as they may have been given such a call. Life is not one size fits all. And our communities need the variety of all sorts of dedicated discernments.

Today we remember Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara of Nicomedia and Margaret of Antioch, Martyrs, c.300   and their information may be found at: Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara of Nicomedia, & Margaret of Antioch

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

Let us pray:

Help us dear Lord God to discern the life You have designed for each of us. Be it marriage or group communal life; assist us in living the life You have called us to. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the Last Sunday of Pentecost Proper 29: Christ the King Sunday: Year C

Luke 23:33-43

“There was also an inscription over him,“This is the King of the Jews.”  (Luke 23:38)

Wait, what? How did this come to be?  It started roughly a thousand years before the birth of Our Lord Jesus. This was during the time Israel wanted a king for themselves even though God had told them not to be like the other nations.

Here is how it started: “Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him [Samuel], “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.  Just as they have done to me,from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:4 – 9)

All of the kings of Israel, from Saul the first king, to Zedekiah the last king of Judah were flawed men, including David and Solomon. From this we arrive at the mockery and evil in John’s Gospel:

“Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He, Pontius Pilate, said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”  They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.”  (John 19: 14 – 15) How sad this statement must have been for God to hear. For God had warned them that this would happen.

Our Lord Jesus was crucified between two criminals. “One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39) I am aware that this writing in Luke guides us into seeing this first crucified criminal as a harasser of our Lord Jesus.  But we don’t know this until we hear the second criminal rebuke him.  In defense of the first speaker, I remind us that he is the first to say, “save yourself, and us.”  It is the “and us” part that stands out for me. None of the other mockersbothered to ask Our Lord Jesus to save them as well, not the Israelites and especially not the soldiers.  Jesus is the One who forgives even those who harm him, not knowing what they are doing.  Sometimes we fit in that category.  So Jesus tells not only the other man on the cross, but us too, that, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 43)

Let us not be too quick to limit our understanding of scripture only by the way we are guided by the author. If we have the words, then let us ponder beyond the page.

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

Let us pray: The Sunday closest to November 23 (BCP p. 236)

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 107:33 to 43, and Psalm 108; Evening,  Psalm 33;
Isaiah 65:17 to 25; Revelation 22:14 to 21; Matthew 18:21 to 35:

“For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.” (Isaiah 65; 17 and 18)

I visited the City of Jerusalem during my Holy Land tour in February of 2018. The picture that heads this blog of Israel from Lake Galilee was taken from that trip.  I was not impressed with Jerusalem.  Even Jesus remembers it as a city that kills the prophets. (Matthew 23:37)

Perhaps a new earth with a Jerusalem as a joy is a wonderful idea.  However, not remembering human sin causes me some concern. I forget when or where I heard it said but it is true that unless we remember where we went wrong, we will go wrong again. The sin of the inhumanity to humans by humans is heartbreaking and awful. I so want a new way to live together with all humanity. But I think collectively we need to justifiably feel sad about much of our past and teach our young ones to watch their thoughts and attitudes towards others.  The nationality, language, skin color, sex, sexual orientation, diet nor anything else, should ever hinder our ability to love the other.

I pray the new earth and new Jerusalem prevents discriminating barriers from being built at all. Hey, I have an idea!  Why don’t you and I live in joy as citizens of that new earth and that new Jerusalem now?  We’ll delight in doing the Lord’s work.

Today our Church remembers Clive Staples Lewis: C. S. Lewis, Lay Theologian and Christian writer. It will do one good to look him up and ponder about his many works. His information may be found at: C. S. Lewis.

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

Let us pray: (BCP p. 823)

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the people of this land], that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1 to 32;
1^st Maccabees 4:36 to 59; Revelation 22:6 to 13; Matthew 18:10 to 20:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

In this talk Jesus has asks us to passionately confront any person whom we feel has wronged us, or anyone we have wronged.  If the one-on-one doesn’t work, bring in two or three more for fairness sake. If that doesn’t work, consult the parish family, perhaps the pastor or priest. Jesus is setting up a way to bring us back together as in the one sheep that was lost in the lead story, verse 12.

We are created social beings (like sheep).  We need each other. When we believers are together, God is in the midst of us. God may have finished the heavens and the earth, but you and I are still a work in progress. It is not so much that we were created, but rather, we are being created. When any two of us are together in the faith, our Lord Jesus accompanies us and we become three. We become a trinity in the Lord. We just need to become more aware of God’s divine presence with us. It is in this way that we are blessed, and brought back, and belong.  I know I am. Thank You Lord Jesus.

 Today we remember Mechthilde of Hackeborn and ‘Gertrude the Great, Mystics and theologians (1298 and 1302 respectively) and their information may be found at: Mechtilde of Hackeborn & Gertrude the Great. We also remember William Byrd, John Merbeck and Thomas Tallis; Musicians, 1632, 1585, and 1585; and their information may be found at William Byrd, John Merbecke & Thomas Tallis respectively.

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

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

Let us pray: In Times of Conflict (BCP p. 824)

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 28 Year 1

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

1 Maccabees 4:1to25; Revelation 21:22 to 22:5; Matthew 18:1to 9:

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ (Matthew 18:1)

Ok, I give up.  I have heard that there is no such thing as a dumb question.  But I take exception to this one. Wouldn’t it be enough just to be in heaven, even if on the lowest echelon?

Why are we always concerned about who is the greatest in any category?  I can remember that Mohammed Ali once declared that he was “The Greatest (Boxer) of all Times.”  His was a self-declaration. And maybe his observations of his own accomplishments, that he had already achieved, are different from a goal-oriented aspiration sought after. Or, maybe he did seek to become the greatest, then, so be it. But to the point Jesus is making, we shouldn’t strive to be the greatest, just strive to be as good as we can be.

The truth is, we don’t have to be the greatest, just being good at something, is good enough. This is especially true for being good at just being good. This is why I like the Christmas song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” as it goes, “so be good for goodness sake.”  I like these words because it has a high moral quality that frees itself from any overt religious attachment.  We are to be good for the sole purpose of just being good; not the greatest, but good.

Jesus shows that true greatness is embedded in trust and vulnerability as he demonstrates this with a child; “and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven:” (Matthew 18:3).  While Jesus will use the “greatest” language in the next verse, in this verse he is just talking about getting in the kingdom of heaven, not being the greatest there, but being present there.  Personally, I would be happy just to get in. Thank You Jesus.

Trust and vulnerability are scary propositions for most of us. Perhaps it might be a good idea to start even a short list of people you know that you feel you can both trust and be vulnerable with. As I type this reflection, certain people come to mind.  How about you? Who are the people that you can be like a trusting child with?

Today we remember Edmund of East Anglia, King and Martyr (November 20, 870) and his information may be found at: Edmund of East Anglia

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

Let us pray:

Most Holy Lord God, You created the universe, the planets and stars, and saw to it that it was all good. O Lord You also made us and saw to it that we are also good. Please keep us ever mindful that bad, or evil only appears when good exists. Help us to keep that good that we have in order that we might always strive to be good and do good, for goodness’ sake through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 101 and 109: Evening, Psalm 119:121to 144;
1^st  Maccabees 3:42 to 60; Revelation 21:9 to 21; Matthew 17:22 to 27:

“And when he [Simon Peter] came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?’ When Peter  said, ‘From others’, Jesus said to him, ‘Then the children are free. However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.” (Matthew 17: 25 to 27)

In my experience this passage is seldom used as sermon material.  However there are layers of revelation here about who Jesus is.

First of all, Jesus, while not with Peter when Peter encountered the collectors of the temple tax, already knew what happened, just as he knew the experience of many before they came to him.  Second, when he presents the question to Peter he already knew the answer. He knew that he and his followers were the “other,” from whom the king takes his toll or tribute.  Lastly, I always thought the fishermen of Jesus’ day fished with nets. But Jesus instructs him to use a hook, (no mention of bait) and upon bringing in a fish, examine its mouth and get the coin.  This coin, Jesus says, will be paid for “you and me.”

We are the “other” of this Gospel lesson.  We are not the children of the rulers of this world. We are the children of God. And God, even working through God’s own created nature will save us and provide what we need even without bait. We should live our lives always expecting divine intervention. This certainly will preach.

Today we remember Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess and Peacemaker (November 19, 1231) and her information may be found at: Elizabeth of Hungary

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

Let us pray:

Most holy and glorious Lord God, You know our needs even before we know what we need. Help us, we pray, to be persons bound together in love who never refers to anyone as “those people,” or “other.”  Help all of us to know that we are all children of God, made from the love of God. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 94;
1^st  Maccabees 3:25 to 41; Revelation 21:1 to 8; Matthew 17:14 to 21:

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith.”  (Matthew 17:19 and 20)

The Gospel accounts, and perhaps the whole of the Bible, require intense study. I noticed that while our readings from Matthew are from chapter 17: verses 14 to verse 21, there was no verse 21 in the NRSV that I started with.  So I went to other Gospel accounts that covered the same story. Lo and behold, Mark has a different response from Jesus to the disciples, and to us. The notes in the Matthew version acknowledge that “some manuscripts have what is in Mark, that is Jesus saying, “this kind can come out only by prayer,” which is found in Mark 9:29.

While the original, or some version of Matthew might have had the same words before a redaction, the point is, prayer is so important. I am not talking necessarily about audible, out loud prayer. I am talking about sitting silently with God and asking for help.  God is a Spiritual presence that is always with us, waiting to help us because God loves us. We just need to ask God for the help we need, and then we just let God do what God does. As we trust in God, God will, in return, trust us.

Today we remember Hilda of Whitby, Abbess and Peacemaker (November 18, 680) and her information may be found at: Hilda of Whitby

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

Let us pray:

Dear God, You love us so much and give us our ever-present awareness of Your Presence as we journey through our daily lives.  Increase our faith Dear Lord so that we might come to you in daily prayer, prayer that enables us to do miraculous deeds through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 28

Morning, Psalm 89:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 89:19 to 52;
1^st Maccabees 3:1 to 24; Revelation 20:7 to 15; Matthew 17:1 to 13:

“While he (Peter) was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)

The Transfiguration appears on its day in August and at other times during the year like today.  I am very aware of how much is going on in our readings. Today we have a hidden Trinity.  We have a cloud that overshadows Peter, James and John; we have the voice of God, and we have the visual of our Lord Jesus in plain, and very bright view.

While this is a Matthew account, we also have Peter to speak of this event in his own letter to us.  He says, ^“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2^nd Peter 1:16 to 18).

This cloud-like Spirit of God has spoken about Jesus before, at His Baptism.  But this time the words, “Listen to Him,” has been added. And to listen is to be understood as “obey.”

I feel that once something this amazing happens, there is no way to continue in life the way it was before.  There would be no way to deny who Jesus is or that I know him, but Peter will do just that.  This makes me ponder about the amazing things that have happened to me in my life in Christ and yet I sometimes go on living as if these events didn’t happen.  I don’t think I listen all the time.  I am so thankful for a radiantly and radically, merciful Jesus, aren’t you?

Today we remember Hugh of Lincoln, Bishop, Protector of the Oppresserd (November 17, 1200) and his information may be found at: Hugh of Lincoln

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

Let us pray:

Most merciful Lord God, we pray You make us more and more aware of Your presence and actions in our lives in order that our approach to life might be more and more pleasing in Your sight through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

The Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 28: Year C

Luke 21:5 to19:

“They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?”  (Luke 21:7)

This is an apocalyptic (or revelation) sharing about things to come that Jesus is telling them. It is also seen in Mark chapter 13 and Matthew chapter 24. The End Times (Eschaton) is coming.  The time is in Kairos, God’s time, not Chronos, our calendar time.

Sometimes it is not so much about what Jesus says, but what we ask in the first place, that really says what’s important to us. In the case of the End of all things (Eschatology), the question is, when, not if.  There is some sense that if it is not soon, weeks, months or even a few years, we have time to make things right, being the procrastinators that we are. But I think we miss the point.

The real point is not waiting to start, but to start now.  I can remember when I was asked to do something that required physical movement; I would jokingly say that I have already started moving in ways that couldn’t be observed by the human eye.  I would say that my feet have already started shifting in my shoes in preparation for standing.  I was trying to assure the person that I was starting to do the task even though I could not be seen moving; funny me.

The truth is that any step to improve our spiritual lives, no matter how small, is a step toward being prepared for the End Times of which, we have no idea of when.  All we have to do is believe it is coming and then act accordingly. When the End Time comes, acceptance is not so much a matter of what you “have done,” or “did not do,” but rather, where your heart is at that time. 

We must start now, right now, even with tiny, almost indiscernible steps, that inch us ever closer to being saved. And no matter how impossible it seems, we must never give up; because while it is impossible for us, nothing is impossible for God. We just have to keep on keeping on.  Jesus says that, “It is by our endurance that we will gain our souls.” (I think, or, re-gain the souls we already have.)

We should never ask Jesus “when.”  We just need to start right now making ourselves better every day.  We do a little bit at a time.  It’s not setting a goal.  It’s just adding more and more righteousness as we go.  When the eschaton (the end of all things as we know it) comes, a new Promised Land comes as well. This is where (and when) not a hair of our heads will be lost. This takes perseverance. And it takes prayer.  So as the profit Malachi says, “But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings,” (Malachi 4:2). I can’t help it.  Let me play with these words. “But for you who revere my name the “Son” of Righteousness shall rise, with healing in His hands.”  Forgive me Malachi, it’s the Christian in me.  

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

Let us pray: Proper 28 The Sunday closest to November 16 (BCP p. 236)

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.