onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 5^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:97to120; Evening, Psalms 81 and 82;
Isaiah 59:15bto21; 2nd Timothy 1:15to2:13; Mark 10:1to16

“Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.” (2^nd Timothy 2: 3 to 7)

Paul uses three ancient examples in society from among many that still exist today to show that being dedicated to a venture or vocation means some degree of sacrifice. He uses the military (something I can resonate with), and sports participants (like the penalties that happen at the Super Bowl), and farming (that love of growing our food). All require endurance and dedication to the end.  There are more ventures and vocations that require this kind of dedication, and most especially, Christianity. I think this is the point that Paul was trying to make.

Maybe when we embark upon a vocation we should first consider the costs of discipleship. Every venture brings its own drawbacks and risks. This might be a good time to consider the “pros and cons” of what we are considering.  Whatever path of Christianity we follow, Paul says “the Lord will give you understanding in all things.” 

The military could bring about the end of one’s life on earth.  The athlete could play for many years and never reach the pinnacle of achievement for his or her chosen sport. Farmers could put in a lot of blood, sweat, tears and toil and then suffer from dry seasons with little or no rain. Christianity, however, brings with it Eternal Life for all participants!  For me, nothing can beat that. And guess what?  There is room for all who join. If I never get to meet you here, I’ll see you there!

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 5^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 78:1to39; Evening, Psalm 78:40to72;
Isaiah 59:1to15a; 2 Timothy 1:1to14; Mark 9:42to50

“Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.” (2^nd Timothy 1:14)

Yes, the Holy Spirit is truly living in us. However, the Holy Spirit is like many of the TV stations we pay for but never tune into.  There is so much valuable leadership, coaching and guidance within the Holy Spirit if we would just listen to, and heed it.  But no, too many of us would rather tune into the rhetoric of social media and the often less than honorable inclinations of the world;  how sad.

We truly have a hidden treasure entrusted in us. We are invited to be “children” of our Creator. And there is a piece of the Creator within each of us. With our “peace” of the Creator, we can stop our fighting and bickering with each other and live in harmony with one another as God intends for us.

As we go forward let us find ways to calm one another down. As we are able, let us not take statements personally, (even when they are). It may be that it is the role of The Christian Church to turn the world into a more hospitable place, despite our sad history of violence. In this way our Church would go through a conversion as Paul himself did. Remember, he turned from one who persecuted the Church to one who grew the Church through evangelism outside of Israel.

We have that treasured Holy Spirit in ourselves. Being a calming presence is contagious. Try it. Try permitting silence to happen when in a group. Take notice of the nervousness people have when no one is speaking. Don’t be led to believe that you have to be the same. “Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.”

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;
Isaiah 58:1to12; Galatians 6:11to18; Mark 9:30to41

“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.’  But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him.”  (Mark 9:38 and 39)

No one Christian community holds a patent on the Name of our Lord Jesus. There are perhaps more and different Christian fellowships than any other faith tradition.  It seems that as time moves on we tend to splinter more and more.  We add names to our denominational names like, “New,” “Reformed,” “Protestant,” “Catholic,”  “Seventh-Day,” and even Non-Denominational,” to mention a few. And while all have some good teachings, none may claim the absolute authority of our Lord Jesus.

Our own Episcopal Church history is replete with shameful acts. We have burned people at the stake, enslaved people, persecuted people, went to war against others (Christian and non-Christian alike). All of this we did in the Name of our Lord Jesus who would never do these kinds of things.  What were we thinking?

It continues to be my prayer that we study and pray our way into reversing the trend to fracture.  I pray that we may one day begin some sort of consolidation.  There is one faith, one Baptism, and One Lord, Jesus Christ. I am on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement. But I am willing to be in a conversation about a merging path with another community who is also casting out demons in the Name of Jesus.  Jesus says that if we are doing good works in His name we are to be left alone. I never want to be so caught up in my “brand” that I lose sight of which way Jesus went.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 Fifth Sunday of Epiphany: Year A

Isaiah 58:1-9a, [9b-12]; Psalm 112:1-9, (10); 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, [13-16];  Matthew 5:13-20

 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. (Matthew 5:13)

This salt of the earth is a good metaphor for our call to be peacemakers and thus, Children of God. Then Matthew goes on to say; “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14 – 16)

Being a true Southerner, I love grits. But I don’t want anyone who doesn’t like grits to cook them for me.  You have to know the value of salt.  Without salt, grits for me, aren’t fit to eat.  Salt is a seasoning that makes many foods palatable. 

The “you” that Jesus uses in the Matthew verses above is the plural form.  This grit-eating Southerner would say “Y’all.”  The “y’all” that our Lord Jesus uses applies to the Church.  That means our Christian Church. So when our Lord Jesus says that you are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, he is telling us the we, the Church, are the salt and light of the world.

Salt is that property of the Church that seasons the people of the earth.  It brings forth peace and harmony.  It blends us together. It does not make us one, it’s not suppose to.  And that’s where light comes in.

With light we can see and appreciate the differences between us.  We are like a bowl of vegetable soup.  We, the people of the earth, are seasoned with the salt of the church and brought into harmonious relationship with one another.  However, with the light of the Church we can still see the different textures of one another.  It is like looking at green beans, and corn, and carrots and a few potatoes and some spinach leaves all brought to a piping hot dish and seasoned to perfection with a little salt to make it a very delicious meal.

The people of the world need to live in harmony with each other, and at the same time, recognize and honor the distinctive differences we bring to the bowl. Some have used the salad metaphor; fine. Whatever works. We just need to respect each other’s humanity and spiritual presence.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 75and 76; Evening, Psalms 23and 27;
Isaiah 57:3to13; Galatians 5:25to 6:10; Mark 9:14to29

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:25 and 26)

We need to ponder about the Spirit of God and live our lives accordingly. We are all infused with the Spirit of our Creator. This Spirit that is in each of us also recognizes that same Spirit in every person we see.  We may not act in the spirit of truth with our fellow brothers and sisters, but the holiness of God connects well ahead of us. Too often we want to compete against another rather than work with the other.

I like sports games in which we compete against the lay- of- the- land, and not directly against one another, (football being the exception but I’m still a work in progress and the Super Bowl is here soon!).  I’m talking about sports like bowling, horseshoes and golf because in these sports we compare our scores at the finish rather than trying to dominate the other face to face, often requiring physical contact. We probably would have gotten the same score in these lay- of- the- land sports even if the other had not been present.

I think our attitudes about sports have caused us to look at every facet of our lives in terms of whose team are we. This paradigm is taught to us in school sports, not intentionally I don’t believe, but taught non-the less.  Too often we want to “win,” no matter what. I think Paul got it right. We must live by the Spirit and in so living, be guided by that same Spirit. Everything in life is not about competing or beating the other. As we are with people, listening and compassion should be the priority of our being together, not whose team they are.  We are all God’s team. Let us ponder this, this Sabbath Day.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 Epiphany: Year 1

 Morning, Psalm 69:1to25 and 31 to38; Evening,  Psalm 73;
Isaiah 56:1to8; Galatians 5:16to24; Mark 9:2to13

“Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil.” (Isaiah 56:2)

I share with you today a heavy dose of our Isaiah reading for today.  It is all about the inclusiveness of God and the invitation to all people to enjoy a Sabbath time now as a preparation for that eternal Sabbath yet to come eternal in the heavens.

I don’t believe this is about making all people Jewish, at least as we (of this day and time), have come to understand what it means to be Jewish.  But I will say this for myself; I would rather be Jewish and have eternal life than be outside that gathering and cease to exist. From Ruth to the Magi of Matthew’s Gospel, many have put their own ethnicity aside to see what God is doing in the midst of the descendents of Abraham. Me too. 

These are the words written in the name of the Prophet Isaiah and are often used by our Lord Jesus as he performed many of his signs and wonders for those outside Israel.  Isaiah says, “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.   Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.^” (Isaiah 56: 6 to 8) My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, this is as inclusive as it gets. We are all one in Christ Jesus.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

 “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 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 of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning,  Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74;
Isaiah 55:1to13; Galatians 5:1to15; Mark 8:27to9:1

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:6)

The whole issue of circumcision, or the elimination of it, breaks the gender barrier. With this requirement of the Law removed, women can now be recognized as full Apostles and Disciples of Christ Jesus.  Who knows, maybe a woman will one day be the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in a place called the United States of America!  (Katharine Jefferts Schori: Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church from November 4, 2006 to November 1, 2015) Thank you Lord Jesus and St. Paul.

Paul goes on to say that the only thing that counts is faith working through love. This sounds like our current Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Michael Curry. Curry constantly preaches the importance of love.  This was observed on the world stage during the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on “the redemptive power of love.”  Maybe Paul was ahead of his time and was the prototype Episcopalian?  Just kidding. I don’t know whether it is faith working through love as Paul suggests; or perhaps love working  through faith, as we love God and then love our neighbor.  I’m still pondering on this one.  We need both.  One of these trying to work without the other is useless. I find that faith expressed and made manifest through acts of love, best shows our allegiance to God. I do believe we learn about love through family before our family teaches us about God. But then, who’s to say how much the Spirit is already at work in our souls before we ever get the first human word about God? Maybe the Spirit prepares a space in our souls for when the word comes?  I’m still pondering on this; join me in this adventure.

Today is the Day we remember the Annunciation of our Lord Jesus at the Temple.

The birth of our Lord Jesus was, and is, also life changing and picks up from the Temple in Jerusalem at his Annunciation, the Purification for the price of two doves. They were poor. From the Gospel of Luke we read: “When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him,” (Luke 2:39 and 40). Mary and Joseph had made their trip to the Temple in Jerusalem for the Presentation of their child as was the requirement of the Law of Moses, the fulfillment of the Law. There they met Simeon and Anna, the full representation of the Law (Simeon), and the prophets (Anna). And, then they went back to Galilee for God was now doing something new and changing humanity forever!

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73to96;
Isaiah 54:1to10; Galatians 4:21to31; Mark 8:11to26

“Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” (Mark 8:25 NRSV)

English is a tricky language if not carefully handled. In verse 25 of Mark 8 in the NRSV there could be some uncertainty about the pronoun “he” when “he” looked intently. Did the man receiving his sight look intently, or was it Jesus looking intently (at the man)? This is the step by step process of gaining sight, (and insight).

As we study scripture we need more than one translation. We need to compare the different writings of who is doing or saying something. It is important. I referred to other translations on this passage and found clarity. In the King James Version I found, “After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” (Mark 8:25 King James Version)  In addition to making him look up, the him, in italics, makes it clear that Jesus is the one doing the looking intently.  Spanish and Greek versions also make it obvious that it was Jesus who was looking intently.

Jesus does not always heal in one setting.  Sometimes it is a two or more shot fix like some of our vaccinations today for the COVID virus.  For us to see life more clearly we have to do the step by step method of clarity.  Have more than one translation of the Bible.  Compare and contrast any questionable understanding you might struggle with. Our Lord Jesus will look intently upon you and you will have understanding.

And like the man whose sight was restored, once you can see clearly, don’t go back into the darkness, stay in the light.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening, Psalm 68:1-20;
Isaiah 52:1to12; Galatians 4:12to20; Mark 8:1to10

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.” (Isaiah 52:7)

Aware that most mid-eastern cultures have disdain for the feet, and many still do today, to say the feet are beautiful, is a huge jump in gratitude for what the feet bring to the weary heart. And it’s not only the feet, but also even shoes as they come off the feet. There was a video where one such mid-eastern man threw his sandal at President Bush (43) during his presentation in their country.  The alert President saw it coming and ducked. Though the sandal would not have caused great physical harm, it was the fact that it was removed from the foot that made it vile.

Therefore, when we read “how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger…”, we know the message is more than just important, it is life changing!  Through my Christian lens, I recall the foot washing performed by Jesus in the Gospel of John chapter 13. In my mind, Jesus made their feet beautiful for the journey of announcing the Good News. 

How beautiful are your feet today?  Carry the Good News to someone today. Your work will be life-changing for that person. You should carry the Good News in word and deed, but most especially in deed.  Do what is good and right so to do, always.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 Epiphany: Year 1

Morning,  Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;
Isaiah 51:17to 23; Galatians 4:1to11; Mark 7:24to37:

“But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.” (Mark 7:28 to 30)

The mother was not an Israelite. Once again our Lord Jesus made it clear that the blessings and grace of God are inclusive of all people.  They are for all people regardless of biology, language, nationality, political party, orientation or gender.

For the mother’s part, she had to step down from any notion of not being Jewish to believing that God in this Jesus person could, and would, help her if she believed strong enough.

So the same is true for us today. Although  Judaism is a faith that may be predominately made up of a certain ethnicity, it is still a faith. This faith that originated with Father Abraham, went down to Egypt, and back again to the Promised Land, now called the Holy Land by many people of Judeo-Christian Faith. But it is still a faith, not a race. None of humanity is a race as far as I am concerned. And I know that I am pretty much alone with this understanding. I’m okay with this.

We humans still have demons. Labels of race are demonic.  All of us are the dogs under the table. We await our food in faith. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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