Author: John Thomas Frazier

Morning, Psalm 38; Evening, Psalm 119:25 to 48;
Lamentation  2:8 to 15; 1^st Corinthians 15:51 to 58; Matthew 12:1 to 14:

“Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die,but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed:” (1^st Corinthians 15: 51 and 52).

I know Paul is talking about the rising to life again in Christ Jesus.  However, there is also a mystery in the change we go through when enlightened by sitting through thoughtful prayer with colleagues around the subject of Church mission. This is the experience I had at a clergy retreat.

I was again affirmed of my call to educate people, that is, to be a pastor-teacher.  I love coaching people in “How” to think, not what to think. We talked about taking the Church “out” to others. This is not done to bring them in, although we would surely welcome them as part of our family. No, we should go out to those in need in order to “hear” exactly what they need, according to them. We should not go out to them to tell them what they need, for example food.  We always want to feed people, even if their stomachs are full.

It was brought to my attention that if we only ask people in need, what they need, we might get answers like clothing, underwear, coats, toilet items, tampons, deodorant, even an occasional comic book to read in order to take their minds off their troubles. So the first thing should always be dialogue. Ask them and they will tell us.

If we ask, we, we will be changed. We will die to our old selves and be changed into the true loving servants that God in Christ Jesus wants us to be.  It is not about making the needy need us; it is about us making them to be “not” needy.  And then, for me at least, it is about more dialogue to get them to some kind of place of independence through education and training. I am reminded of the old saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for today; teach a man to fish and you have fed him for life.” To this I add, that I must first ask him what his way of fishing might look like. That is, how might he think himself best suited to participate in community, vocationally? Then I am best able to find the resources to get him “fishing,” his way.

The key is dialogue. Then, as Paul says, “in the twinkling of an eye,” the person once thought dead to society will be transformed. He or she will have dignity again. And he or she will have it in this life before that last trumpet will sound. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools

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 Proper 24: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 26 and 28; Evening,  Psalm 36 and 39:
Lamentations 1:1to12; 1^st Corinthians 15:41 to 50; Matthew 11:25 to 30:

“It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.  Thus it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.  But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual.”  (1^st Corinthians 15: 44 to 46)

Paul shares with us what he presents as facts; that is, if there is a physical body then there is a spiritual body attached to it.  Really?  He says, “in fact,” our physical bodies are first and then we get the spiritual bodies or presence. Do animals have a spiritual presence as well? I don’t know.  Do all people have a spiritual presence?  I don’t know that either.

What I do know is that when I meditate quietly and alone, I feel the presence of the Other, the Holy Other! Maybe this is where mystics and contemplatives enjoy a richer spirituality than the less meditative personas.  The truth is however, we all, as humans, can receive this.  It is said of  Evelyn Underhill, Twentieth century Theologian and Mystic (June 15,1941), that her “most valuable contribution to spiritual literature must surely be her conviction that the mystical life is not only open to a saintly few, but to anyone who cares to nurture it and weave it into everyday experience:” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for June 15).

If we study Paul’s and Underhill’s teachings, any of us can make use of our spiritual bodies now.  Yes, we were given our physical bodies first. But, being Baptized into the Death and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, we also have our spiritual bodies. Both Paul and Evelyn were followers and learners of our Lord Jesus. So are we as Christians of today.  Too many Christians ascribe meditation and mysticism to Mid Eastern and Far Eastern faith traditions. We Christians have a contemplative tradition handed down to us from our Lord Jesus as He Himself often went to a quiet place to pray.

These days I breathe deeply and slowly, and relax into the spiritual comfort of my own spirit and the Holy Spirit of my Creator and Lord.  Thank You Lord Jesus. Wherever you are, settle down into some quiet time and be still, and know yourself, as explained by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, to be a spiritual being who is also learning to be the human animal.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools

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 Proper 24: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15;
Jeremiah 44:1 to 14; 1^st Corinthians 15:30 to 41; Matthew 11:16 to 24:

“But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”  (1^st Corinthians 15:35)

I have talked about this subject not more than two days ago, last Saturday in fact.  I don’t know the answer about how the dead are raised but what I do know is that I want it. I want to be raised into eternal life. So, I’m going to re-post my words from last Saturday about our Resurrection with a personal comment:

[Indeed, it is for life after death that I am hoping in Christ. Except for books and movies, I have no experience or evidence of life before I was born. It is like I was dead before I was alive. It was Mark Twain who said, “I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.”

While I don’t think I fear death, I am very curious about it.  What is it like to not have to breathe, or eat, or any of the human functions we have depended on for all of our mortal lives?  Or, will some of these creature customs continue in the afterlife?  I don’t know.

What I do know is that whatever level of existence God will let me have, I want it.  This is why I am a Christian. As Paul says, being a Christian is not about this life, it is about our resurrection in Christ Jesus. This is our hope. This is why we pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus. This is why we believe the way we do.

Personally, I don’t believe that God has set a date for us to die (as many Christians do), but I do believe that God, in Christ Jesus, is always waiting for us when we do.  While death is untimely, death is not ungodly. God is present in this world and the next.

There are many human beliefs about our relationship with God. Christianity is just one and there are many versions of it.  As our Presiding Bishop says, “We are on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement.”  And, Paul again, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” To this I will add, that our Lord Jesus did teach us how to live in love of neighbor while we walk this earth. And so, I will leave what happens to me after my death in His most capable and loving hands. Thank You Lord Jesus.]

Perhaps the only note I would add for today is that I will do my best to be as compassionate and as patient as I can be with all people while I am still in this life. I want God to be happy to pick me. And maybe my practice of compassion and patience will be of some value in the next life as I see who else is joining me there, some of whom I might have had doubts about. 

Today our Church remembers James of Jerusalem who is referred to in the New Testament as the brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools.

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

New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 24: Year A

1^st  Thessalonians 1:1 to 10;  Matthew 22:15 to 22

“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” (Matthew 22:17)

Back in the days of antiquity the tax was needed to pay the wages of Roman troops as well as Roman government workers. The same is true today for all governments, including our own United States government.  Caring for the poor used to be the primary work of the Church. And, the Church still does.  But now it is the responsibility of all governments to care for their citizens, in particular those who cannot take care of themselves, like mothers with children and the elderly and the infirmed.  And yet, there will be people “gaming the system.”  I believe it is better to lose some money to fraud than to neglect those in real need.  The tax takes care of the needy and provides the needed services we all need.  God however, takes care of everybody, the great and the small, including those who game the system.

As is always, Jesus is correct, no surprise there.  Our lives are both horizontal and vertical.  We must be in relationship with one another (horizontal) and in relationship with God (vertical). With the love that God blesses us with we care for one another be it physical or emotional assistance, or the tax.  We also keep relationship with God, but all God wants is our love.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools.

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 Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 20 and 21:1-7; Evening, Psalms 110:1-5, 116 and 117;
2^nd Kings 25:8-12 and 22-26; 1^st Corinthians 15:12 to 29; Matthew 11:7 to 15:

“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1^st Corinthians 15:19)

Indeed, it is for life after death that I am hoping in Christ. Except for books and movies, I have no experience or evidence of life before I was born. It is like I was dead before I was alive. It was Mark Twain who said, “I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.”

While I don’t think I fear death, I am very curious about it.  What is it like to not breathe, or eat, or any of the human physical and biological functions we have depended on for all of our mortal lives?  Or, will some of these creature customs continue in the afterlife?  I don’t know.

What I do know is that whatever level of existence God will let me have, I want it.  This is why I am a Christian. As Paul says, being a Christian is not about this life, it is about our resurrection in Christ Jesus. He is our hope. This is why we pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus. This is why we believe the way we do.

Personally, I don’t believe that God has set a date for us to die (as many Christians do believe), but I do believe that God, in Christ Jesus, is always waiting for us when we do.  While death is untimely, death is not ungodly. God is present in this world and the next.

There are many human beliefs about our relationship with God. Christianity is just one and there are many versions of it.  As our Presiding Bishop says, “We are on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement.”  And, Paul again, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” To this I will add, that our Lord Jesus did teach us how to live in love of neighbor while we walk this earth. And so, I will leave what happens to me after my death in His most capable and loving hands. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools

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 Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 16 and 17; Evening, Psalm 22;
Jeremiah 38:14 to 28; 1^st Corinthians 15:1 to 11; Matthew 11:1 to 6:

“But by the grace of God I am who I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain.” (1^st Corinthians 15:10)

When, and if, we ever come to the realization that we did not bring ourselves to where we are, and we seem to be doing okay, we realize that the Grace of God has guarded and guided us along the way. I can look back on many occasions where things could have gone very differently, and in a bad way. But it didn’t. I am thankful for being “carried” past conflict and then allowed to try again.

I heard on a Western once that I like to watch where the protagonist says, “I don’t judge a man by where he’s been, but rather, by where he’s going.”  I have found that there are two kinds of people who were mistreated as children or young adults.  Some want to mistreat others because they were mistreated.  Others, because they were mistreated, not only won’t do it to others, but they also will not allow it to be done by anybody else if they can prevent it.  Where we have been and what we have experienced will have an impact on us now. We can do evil, or we can do good. The decision we make about this determines our character and shows the caliber of our moral compass.

If we read good books, including The Good Book, especially the New Testament, and watch good movies, especially the old Westerns where the good guys always won, and if we surrounded ourselves with people of integrity, we will still need the Grace of God Almighty to make us people of righteousness.

We need to be people of meditative prayer in order to open a way for the Grace of God to enter into our souls and guide our hearts.  If we were abused as a child, or bullied as an adolescent, or wrongly convicted of a crime for which we served time in prison; none of these bad experiences have to make us an evil person. With God’s Grace we overcome our tragic histories and make promising futures with God’s help.  Nothing is impossible for God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life. And, when graced by God, we cannot let this divine intervention be in vain. Ponder this.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and our schools.

 “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 serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 18:1 to 20; Evening, Psalm 18:21 to 50;
Jeremiah 38:1 to 13; 1^st Cor. 14:26 to 33 and 37 to 40; Matt hew 10:34 to 42:

“What should be done then, my friends?  When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1^st Corinthians 14: 26)

As a preacher I have been the one with a lesson and an interpretation of scripture that I have hoped will lead to a revelation. And, I pray that what I share builds up the Church. Now, I feel called to also bring a hymn. I have been studying music for some time now. I want to perform music now, but not at the expense of letting go of lessons with interpretation and the hope of revelation received from those who hear my words, or, at least, the words that our Lord gives me.

As a preacher I see myself as an instrument of God who creates a space in the soul of the people sitting in the pews. Often I have had persons come to me and say “you were talking to me,” or, “about me.”  From my homily or sermon, they set a new course for themselves. There was nothing for me to add to what they heard. After all, the words were not mine, they were God’s. “ If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent;” (1^st Corinthians 14:30). That is to say, let even me be silent.

For me, being an instrument of God goes further than preaching. I play music. I play hymns. I am learning to preach in different languages, for example, the piano, the guitar and the trombone. Maybe God can also translate my musical message into a revelation for building up the Church.

I also plan to re-start my Spanish practice and to have conversations in Spanish with those near me who too often go unseen. Shame on us, me in particular. However, I also appeal to you.  Stretch yourself and see what gifts God has planted in you that you have not tapped. I, nor any one person, can do all that needs to be done. We must help each other. The Holy Spirit of God speaks to all of us. “What should be done then, my friends?  When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1^st Corinthians 14:26).

Note: On a personal note of my faith, I do not agree with Paul about women being silent in Church. .” (1^st Corinthians 14:34).

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools

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 Readings for the Feast of Saint Luke

Sirach 38:1-4,6-10,12-14; Psalm 147 or 147:1-7; 2 Timothy 4:5-13; Luke 4:14-21

 “Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.” Luke 4:14

Today we remember Luke the physician whom we believe wrote a Gospel account under his name as well as the Acts of the Apostles.

I try to keep in mind that Luke never actually met our Lord Jesus, only heard of him through “reports about him spread through all the surrounding country”  I think he got most of his information from the apostles Peter, Paul (and Mary Magdalene).

Only Luke gives us a detailed narrative about the nativity of Jesus and it has become the staple of our Christmas time. Thank you Luke.

Luke is also thought to be a Gentile, an outsider.  Yet, here we have an example of inclusiveness by a trained physician who also includes the lame, other outsiders, and women. Again, Thank you Luke.

Luke was schooled to be a physician but Jesus (as God Incarnate) created all life, and no training was required. Luke perhaps had the highest regard for our Lord Jesus. For deeper insight about Luke I personally recommend the movie: “Paul Apostle of Christ” starring Jim Caviezel, Oliver Martinez and James Faulkner. When I saw this movie I saw the pivotal role Luke played in receiving letters from Paul to give to the various Churches and how Luke put himself in danger by continually visiting Paul in prison.  I think you should watch it and see what you can glean from it.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools

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 Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 5 and 6; Evening, Psalms 10 and 11;
Jeremiah 36:27 to 37:2; 1^st Corinthians 14:1 to 12; Matthew 10:16 to 23

“It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played?  And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?  So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.  There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound.  If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.  So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.” (1^st Corinthians 14:7 to 12)

The “it” that Paul speaks of is the speaking of tongues that nobody understands.  He likens them to musical instruments that no one plays, or plays out of tune.  They are lifeless and bring nothing to the ear of the listener or they make indiscernible noise.

I practice music on piano, guitar, a marching valve trombone and a traditional slide trombone. Few things make me happier than playing a hymn or song correctly and enjoying the fact that, “I” did that. It also is recognizable by others, and especially children.

I am convinced that our children will only have faith passed on to them if we sing to them. We must sing songs like, Jesus loves me this I know,” and “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.”  In this way they will have hope in the love of our Lord Jesus. In this way they will have hope and faith and maybe have a desire to learn how to make musical instruments come alive in order to put melody to what we have taught them.

Unfortunately the arts are the first courses of instructions to go when budgets are being cut. I argue that if we shatter their dreams, hopes and faith, math and history are meaningless. Our souls are meant to sing.

I am aware that Paul was only using musical instruments as a metaphor for indiscernible speech. I think however the same can be said of musical sounds itself. If we teach our children to sing simple melodies perhaps they will develop a desire to learn how to actually play the melodies.  After all, it was ourselves, parents and other relatives who taught them to even speak our language in the first place. If we think so much about a baby saying, “Ma ma, or Da da; how much more should we think about our babies, after some development, singing “Jesus loves me.”  It brings me to tears of joy.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools.

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 proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 1, 2 and 3; Evening,  Psalms 4 and 7;
Jeremiah 36:11 to 26; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Matthew 10:5 to 15:

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.” (1^st Corinthians 13: 4 to 6)

In Paul’s 1^st Corinthians letter, verses 1 through 13 of chapter 13, are perhaps some of the most remembered passages of the New Testament.  He begins by explaining how hollow and empty we are without love. And then he describes exactly what love is.  I also like recalling the ending of his words.  He says of faith, hope and love, love is the greatest of them all; (1^st Corinthians 13:13).

Paul says love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. He says love does not insist on its own way or is irritable or resentful. It does not celebrate wrongdoing but celebrates doing what is right and truthful. Personally, I fail with some of these. I do get irritable; I have found myself boasting from time to time, and perhaps some other short comings. I am still striving to overcome these deficiencies.

I agree with Paul’s definitions of love.  So I also agree that I fall short of it. But I am still a work in progress.  I think my strong suits are patience, not being rude and not insisting on my own way.  I have work to do in order that I may live more fully into what love is. I have heard it said that once it is identified or spoken of, we can then aim for it. Thank you Paul.

I think the real challenge is just wanting to love more.  Making love our priority makes us more godly because God is love. In full disclosure, I think sometimes even God gets a little irritated with us.  Maybe we are more godly than we think. And, since I believe that God wins, every time; I must also consider that God insists in God’s own Way.  I am happy about our God of love being this way.

As we are drawn more and more back to God, we are drawn to Love. I feel the best way to live our lives is to rid ourselves of all strife, jealousy, envy, malice and hatred. Perhaps making 1^st Corinthians 13: 1 to 13, a daily recitation, will help us get there.  Maybe these words will plant seeds of love within us and bloom. It’s worth a try.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and our schools

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