onewhoponders

Today is the Sixth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for Friday, the 6^th Day of Christmas: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 20 and 21:1 to 7; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;

 1 Kings 17:17 to 24; Revelation 1:9 to 20; John 7:53 to 8:11;

“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’”  (John 8:7 -9)

I always thought this adultery thing took two people.  Where is the other person?  Perhaps this person was in the crowd, with a stone in his hand.  How sad. Jesus taught us to forgive one another.

If being forgiven is the greatest gift we can ever receive from someone, then it is also the greatest gift we can ever give to someone. Can’t find it in a store, it’s in your heart.

Forgive someone this Christmas and accept being forgiven. Merry Christmas: Day 6

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

Let us not take our hate or ill will for another with us to our mortal death.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does his Resurrection from the dead.  Merry Christmas: Day 1

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

 “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

This is the Fifth Day of Christmas.

Daily Office Readings for December 29

Morning, Psalm 18:1-20; Evening, Psalm 18:21-50;

Isaiah 12:1 to 6; Revelation 1:1 to 8; John 7:37 to 52

“Now he [Jesus] said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:39)

It often happens in the Gospel of John that the Evangelist speaks directly to the reader.  The Evangelist wants to inform, or shape, how we interpret what we read, or in this case, fill in the details we might not realize.  In this writing we are told of the absence of the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps the absence was only in our earthly sphere.  For we know that our Triune God has always been, and will always be, in all God’s holy manifestations, Three in One. In John’s Gospel, chapter 15:26 we read: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.” Therefore, in my humble understanding, the Holy Spirit comes to us from God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

All this leads me to share with you the basis of my own belief.  I affirm and hold as sacred our Nicene and Apostles Creeds.  But, I have also crafted my own words that for me, more accurately describe what is really going on in my faith.  And while Jesus, and Mary and Pontius Pilate are not mentioned by name, Jesus is at least implied as the Incarnate Word and my statement of faith is Trinitarian. I also borrowed and modified Paul’s words.  But here it is: I trust in God through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word in whom we live, and move, and love, and have our being, and to whom we must give an account. So, I believe it is the Holy Spirit of Jesus that enables me to believe in God just as it is also laid out in the Gospel of Matthew where it is written: “ But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven;” (Matthew 16:15 – 17).  Therefore, our ability to believe is a gift from God. We however, must have patience so as to let God in and install the “belief” program, and then we must use it.

Let us believe with patience, and have patience in believing. Merry Christmas: Day 5

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

For, had Jesus not been born, he could not have died.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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

This is the Fourth Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Innocence

Jeremiah 31:15-17; Psalm 124; Revelation 21:1-7; Matthew2:13-18;

“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18 and Jeremiah 31:15)

This Matthew reading comes from the sadness of the atrocities of Herod in the slaughter of the innocent babies in and around Bethlehem in his effort to kill the new born King.

I know of a Rachel today who has no children, and yet, she is a perfect mother. She is kind and gentle, very smart and nurturing.  Children, when we are blessed with them, are a gift from God. And because they are precious in God’s sight, they should be precious in our sight as well.  After all, we are made in the Image of God.

We are never to hurt or harm children, only help them, teach them, save and love them. This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas: Day 4

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

For, had Jesus not been born, he could not have died.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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

Today is the Third Day of Christmas and it is St John’s Day

Eucharist Readings for St John the Evangelist

Exodus 33:18-23; Psalm 92; 1John 1:1 – 9: John 21: 19b – 24;

“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. (John 21:24)

John is one of at least five Apostles that the Gospel shows evidence of being handpicked by Jesus.  True, the Gospel says he had 12 but some were just joiners I guess.  John, James, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and later Matthew (Levi; Matthew 9:9) were actually invited with the words, “follow me,” and they accepted.  There was also the rich young man but he declined. (Matthew 19:21)  His name could have been among the 12, He was invited but his many possessions had control of him.

John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1: 1 – 3). We have a beginning from One who has no beginning.

We must recognize the testimony of John as a divine message. All of his words, from the Gospel according to John, his pastoral letters, and the Divine Revelation from our Lord Jesus, are God’s doing, and it is for our benefit. Thank You Lord Jesus.

The testimony of John the apostle about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

For, had Jesus not been born, he could not have died.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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

This is the Second Day of Christmas, and it is St Stephen’s Day

Eucharistic Readings for St. Stephens

Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15  Psalm 31; Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60;  Matthew 23:34-39

“Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.” (Acts 7:60)

As a priest, and a servant of our Lord Jesus, I am not in total agreement with how our first deacons were formed.  As I understand it, deacons were formed in order to excuse priests, or the apostles as they were known, from the responsibility of feeding those who were hungry, (Acts 6), but which is what Jesus did at every opportunity he found. In fact he said to the apostles, “You feed them.”  (Matthew 14:16)  However, more than that, and in keeping with today’s focus, Deacon Stephen’s devotion to God through Jesus is most remarkable.

Stephen knows his faith history and relates it to those who falsely judge him.  He has every right to be angry about how they are treating him, however, he lets love prevail. Psalm 31:13 – 16 may hold comforting words for Stephen and for any who are held in contempt.  For it reads:

13: For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.

14: But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You are my God.

15: My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16: Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me.”   (Psalm 31:13 -16)

I believe Stephen was saved, not from mortal death, but from eternal death. And as he goes, he shares with us a very important lesson. Our being saved has as much to do with the birth of Jesus as it does for his Resurrection from the dead.

For, had he not been born, he could not have died.  Merry Christmas: Day 2

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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 Christmas Day, the 1^st Day of Christmas: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 2 and 85; Evening, Psalm 110:1-5 and Psalm 132;
Zechariah 2:10 to 13; 1 John 4:7 to 16; John 3:31 to 36

“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him.” (1^st John 4:9)

What an opportunity we have.  Through our Lord Jesus we can live a more loving life.  Through our Lord Jesus we can be more God-like. This is the annual day and season we have selected to remember the human birth of our Lord Jesus.  He was born in a low socio-economic situation, and we are told, in a stable because there was no room for the traveling couple in the inn itself. Even this makes me look at my own life and how I should act if someone struggling really needs a provision that I might take for granted.  It’s something to ponder about. How would living through the life of Jesus have me respond to the needs of those whose situation is more desperate than my own?

“In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins,” (1^st John 4:10).  God loved us before we loved God.  However, once we know about God, and how much God loves us, and how God cares for us, we can’t, (I can’t), help but try to love God back.  The person of our Lord Jesus, in human form, gives me a Way of loving response whereby I, in my limited human ability, can love God back.

This day, and for the next eleven days, we remember God being born into humanity. God came among us to teach us about love.  “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them,” (1^st John 4:16).  And for this gift of love, I say, Thank You Lord Jesus.

We need to stop fighting and start loving because that’s who we are really made to be. Merry Christmas: Day 1

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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 Christmas Eve

Isaiah 9:2 to 7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11 to 14:  Luke 2:1 to 20:

The First Night Before Christmas

It was me and my buddies out watching our sheep,

The night was quiet, not one of them bleeped.

It was so quiet in fact, we were about to sleep,

When we noticed someone out by the sheep.

Then all at once it became very clear,

No ordinary person was with us here.

We were all afraid, but he said “Fear Not.”

And then there were more, and their numbers wouldn’t stop.

He said go to Bethlehem and see the Baby,

He is the Word of God, there is no maybe.

He said the baby’s in Bethlehem, lying in a manger,

He can save you all, from permanent danger.

Then they all left, praising God for this birth,

Just like they came, they were all gone from the earth.

Then I and my friends said, “let’s go if we’re able,”

To Bethlehem there, and straight to the stable.

And there we were on a cold winter’s night,

We saw Mary, Joseph and Baby, what a sight!

We told them everything, right from the start,

But Mary just smiled, kept our words in her heart.

So we left there then in the thick of the night,

Asking you to thank God with all of your might.

Luke 2: 8 – 20

The Reverend John Thomas Frazier

2006

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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 Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 93 and 96; Evening, Psalm 148 and 150:
Isaiah 33:17 to 22; Revelation 22:6 to 11 and 18 to 20; Luke 1:57 to 66:

“He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed.” (Luke 1:63)

For me, the key word here is, “Is.”  It seems the child was named John even before he was born.  Zechariah’s mouth was closed mute by the angel Gabriel for doubting the angel’s words. The premier Christener of all time was himself Christened while in the womb by God. He was Christened John before he was born.

I must admit that I am concerned about the names we give our children today.  Were our babies not expected and desired?  Do we not prepare a bed and a place at the table for them? We have a faith tradition whereby we have many biblical names that we could use for boys and girls.  We too could name them even before they are born since now we can tell their sex before they are born. Where are the traditional names found in the Bible, or even in our families?  I am John Thomas, named after my mother’s brother John, and my dad, Thomas.  But these names of mine are also biblical names. How do we explain created names given to babies that do not connect with the Bible or our family? This was perhaps a concern for Zechariah and Elizabeth as well.

The good news is, in this country, we can go to the courts and change our names if desired. It may be a lot of trouble but it may make sense to us and be worth it.  After this, we can then name our own children in a more traditional manner. Or, we can make the most of who we are named and then pass this new name on.

The people Pondered about John. “All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him:” (Luke 1:66).  We have what we call our Christening at our Baptism.  Our Tradition is for the Priest to say to the parents just before pouring the water, “Name this child.”  Where upon the child is Baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. You are named; what, or who, will you become?

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

 “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 Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 80: Evening, Psalms 146 and 147;
Isaiah 29:13-24; Revelation 21:22 to 22:5; Luke 1:39 to 56)

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” (Luke 1: 46 and 47)

I ask you all to listen again to the Christmas song “Mary did you know?”  I like two lines in particular.  One that says, “The child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.” And, “Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb? That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am.” It’s powerful stuff.  Find it and listen to it again, please.

Pretty much every adult person that my mother knew, and especially visited, I knew as well, and I would have known their children. I have heard that Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins. I don’t know about this but surely they should have know of each other as their mothers knew each other.

These two women left their mark on Christianity.  Elizabeth gave us the words for the Catholic Rosary, “ Hail Mary full of grace,  Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary gave us her Magnificat, (Luke 1:46 to 55). She begins with, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” 

The take away for us is that we too have souls that are tuned in to God. and I would say also our souls magnify the Lord. If only we would listen to our own souls.

“And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her, (Luke 1:56).   In those 3 months, these women would have heard nothing from Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband and the father of John the Baptist, because the angel Gabriel has made him mute until the child John is born; (Luke 1:20). Maybe during his quiet time Zechariah listened to his soul.

How has your soul informed you about God’s call on your life?

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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 Advent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalms111 and 113:
Isaiah 28:9 to 22; Revelation 21:9 to 21; Luke 1:26 to 38

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; those who act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever.” (Psalm 111:10)

In my studies lately I have tried to seek out the more contemplative words to ponder upon.  This verse from Psalm 111 resonates with my desire to more fully seek out God.

I think the fist word to translate here is the word “fear.”  Fear in this case means, “reverence” or “respect.” for God.  While it doesn’t always mean love for God, it does mean acknowledging the existence of God.  In the story of Job, Job had grievances with God but never denied the existence of God or the absolute power of God.  He may not have loved God through his ordeal, but he never doubted that God is the final authority; like it or not.

So reverence and respect for the existence of God goes a long way in helping us to understand creation, all that is, and all that ever will be. Trying to believe that creation “just happened,” get’s me nowhere.  Within creation, I ponder what it reveals about the Creator, and humanity’s role and purpose in it. What is our call within creation? 

A part of me believes that our loving God calls us to be stewards of this planet. It is an even balance for us; a give-and-take relationship.  The planet feeds us, gives us air to breath and cares for us, and then, we, in turn watch it and do our best to keep it in ecological equilibrium. If we do things right, perhaps no other creatures will go the way of prehistoric beasts. We were brought forth to prevent such loss from happening again.  Therefore, our existence (at least in part) is evidence of God’s love of God’s creation, and this fragile earth our island home, in particular.

Perhaps another purpose for humanity is to reflect on God with the gifts of art; God’s image of the Creator in the created. The beginning of our wisdom is made manifest in our God-given creativity.  We make crafts, pictures and music, and all such little creations can be used to praise the Creator.  In this way we give back to the Creator in our praise of God, and our praise (not fear) for God, endures forever.

Today our Church remembers St. Thomas the Apostle. I personally see him as a brave follower who had his own reasons for not being locked in a room with the others when Jesus came to them.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine, Iran and China.

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