onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 22: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 106: 1 to 18: Evening, Psalm 106: 19 to 48

Hosea 14:1to 9; Acts 22:30 to 23:11; Luke 6:39 to 49

“When Paul noticed that some were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he called out in the council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.’ When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.  (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.)” (Acts 23: 6 and 8)

Perhaps Paul was playing them against one another in a way that would buy him more time.  But perhaps there was a deeper rationale behind his oratory.  Perhaps Paul wanted simply to state his most sincere belief and his new understanding about the history of the scriptures and the prophets as had been revealed to him through the Risen Lord regardless of what it might cost him. 

As a Pharisee, Paul acknowledges the resurrection, and angels and the world of the spirit.  I myself might be what could be called a Christian Pharisee in that regard.  I believe in the Resurrection and in angels, and in the Holy Spirit and in the spirits of those who have gone before us.  All of this belief comes from first believing in the love of an eternal and loving God.

I have found that pondering about this life and the next is having a profound effect on how I live my life day to day.  I miss the celebration of Saint Francis of Assisi whose day is remembered tomorrow (4 October).  Francis basically forfeited his earthly life with all its attractions and diversions in order that he might be totally devoted to God.  I am not there yet.  But I have become aware of the language I use.  I say things like, “my car, my phone, and my house,” rather than “the” car, “the” phone and “the” house, that I make use of.  The only thing that is mine to keep is my soul, I hope. And even that goes back to God.

I don’t think Francis considered himself a Pharisee but he was a pious man. Pondering about the resurrection, angels and spirits is challenging.  It makes me aware of my relationships with others, past and present.  How might I have a more loving tolerance of others? What accountability awaits me in the next life? I realize now that when I learn something new about fairness with others, God knows that I just learned it and is expecting me to live into my new understanding from that point on.  My sincere belief and my understanding of the scriptures and the prophets, as they are revealed to me through the Risen Lord, are improving me. I need, more and more, to listen to what the Holy Spirit of God in Christ Jesus is saying to me.  How about you?

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

New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 22: Year C

2^nd Timothy 1:1-14:  Luke 17:5-10

“The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”  (Luke 17: 6)

Is Jesus saying they had no faith or that the faith they have is sufficient?  I borrow heavy from Fred Craddock writing on Luke for Interpretation; a Bible Commentary.

“The Greek language has basically two types of “if” clauses; those which express a condition contrary to the fact (“if I were you”); and those which express a condition according to fact (“if Jesus is our Lord”). The conditional clause in verse 6 is of the second type; one could translate it “if you had faith (and you do).” Jesus’ response, then, is not a reprimand for an absence of faith but an affirmation of the faith they have and an invitation to live out the full possibilities of that faith.  Even the small faith they already have cancels out words such as “impossible” (a tree being uprooted) and “absurdly” (planting a tree in the sea) and puts them in touch with the power of God. That Luke has a “sycamore tree” (a kind of mulberry) instead of a “mountain” as in Matthew and Mark, in no way alters the message: faith lays hold of God with whom nothing is impossible, and it is God who empowers the life of discipleship.” (Fred B. Craddock writing for Interpretation; A Bible Commentary: Luke: 1990 p. 200)

From this we learn that the apostles already have all the faith they need to do the work of ministry. And the work of ministry is a lifelong, and eternal state of being.

Again from Craddock, “There is no place or time, therefore, at which the apostle can say, “I have completed my service; now I want to be served.”  If this parable was prompted by the remark of the apostles at verse 5, then two things can be said,  First, the lesson is especially applicable to the leaders of the church who can easily forget that they are “servants of the servants of God.”  “The request for an increase of faith (verse 5) must not seduce the apostles or any leader to assume that with the increase comes elevation in position so that the period of serving ends. Second, “Apostles and all leaders of the faithful come under the instructions for all disciples. In the field or in the house, a servant is a servant;” (also, Fred B. Craddock writing for Interpretation; A Bible Commentary: Luke: 1990 p. 200 and 201)

For me at least, this means that I should train myself to love serving to the point that it is my preferred state of being, in this life and in the next. I want to be the field hand and later the house hand as well.  This earth is the field, heaven is the house. I am honored to serve in both. How about you?

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 21: Year 2

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

Hosea 11:1 to 9; Acts 22:17 to 29; Luke 6:27 to 38

“And while they were shouting, throwing off their cloaks, and tossing dust into the air, the tribune directed that he was to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by flogging, to find out the reason for this outcry against him.” (Acts 21: 23 and 24)

The momentum of the crowd began to control the tribune and his centurions.  They were having a tantrum, just as a child would do in a supermarket when he or she does not get their way. The shouting and throwing off their cloaks does not say much for me, but tossing dust into the air is weird.  Did they not know that what goes up, must come down?  But more than that, I have crafted an acronym from the word dust.  It is, “Don’t unnecessarily share thoughts” or DUST.  I have witnessed people that I liked get fired because reporters asked them what they thought and as a result, they were fired.  This was sad.  Paul also gets in trouble for what he both thinks and believes.  I think we all have a right to think or believe what we want.  We are all evolving.  What we think today, maybe totally different next month or next year. The same is true for what we believe.  

We ponder about things and we evolve.  Yes, we have fits about things that we don’t like and it indeed may cause us to shout and throw things.  But, for the most part, we get over it.  I would be careful about what we throw into the air however.  It’s going to come back down.  But also, we must be careful and “DUST” even when asked sometimes.  Because sometimes, it’s a trap.  They tried to trap Jesus, and now they are trying to trap Paul.

The other problematic piece in this reading is the examination by flogging?  Sounds like the witch hunts, you can’t win.  You just keep getting beat until you say what the oppressor wants to hear, truth or not.  Paul was a natural born citizen of the Roman Empire.  Not even the Tribune was a natural citizen, he paid for his citizenship.  They had to back off when finding out that he was a Roman citizen.  Apparently there were harsh consequences for harming a Roman citizen.    

Racial troubles still persist throughout this country.  Overwhelming fires are still happening on our West Coast. At this writing, we on the Southeast coast have just gone through Hurricane Ian. Yes, we are being examined by flogging; and it hurts.  But Paul has set us a good example; we must persevere no matter what. We must remain steadfast in our faith.

Please keep Ukraine in your prayers, our prayers are making a real difference.

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

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 21: Year 2

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

Hosea 10:1to15; Acts 21:37 to 22:16; Luke 6:12 to 26

“Just as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, ‘May I say something to you?’ The tribune replied, ‘Do you know Greek?  Then you are not the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?’  Paul replied, ‘I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.’  When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence; and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:” (Acts 21:37 to 40)

This passage gives us insight into the education of Paul.  He is fluent in both Hebrew and Greek and yet thought to be Egyptian by the Roman tribune who arrested him.  When permitted to speak Paul tells the people who he is and he tells how the Risen Lord met him while on his way to Damascus.

We know that God does not necessarily call the qualified, but rather, qualifies the Called.  Even so, at least in Paul’s case, God, in Christ Jesus, reaches into the life of some well educated, albeit misguided people who have strong faith and then redirects them. Paul, like too few of us, was blessed to have been afforded an education.  Too often however education can squeeze out God. Ironically, people can get too smart for God, or so they think.  Paul was such an educated man but he was misguided. The one thing he had going for him was his faith in God. Everything in the scripture supports Saul or Paul as being a Pharisee, zealous for God as he understood God to that point.  Learning should never stop.  Just when Paul thought he knew everything, our Lord Jesus stopped him in his tracks.  He had a, “wake-up” call. God in Christ Jesus uses our faith as the path to our hearts.  If we first believe in God, God will come to us in revealing ways.  We will have our own conversion story.  And, like Paul, we should tell it as often as we can.

Please keep Ukraine in your prayers, our prayers are making a real difference.

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

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 21; Year 2

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

Hosea 5:8 to 6:6; Acts 21:27 to 36; Luke 6:1 to 11

“Fellow-Israelites, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place; more than that, he has actually brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” (Acts 21:28)

The Jewish people from Asia stirred up the people by exaggerating stories about Paul.  They assumed he brought a Greek man into the Temple which in their view would defile the Temple.  The truth is that Paul was only seen with a Greek man, and there is no evidence that he brought him into the Temple.  But what if he did?

I am glad to belong to a community of believers who try to make all welcome.  Someone hearing the people from Asia complain should have said, “So what?”  I know that we still fall short of radical hospital today in our Church.  We are a work in progress.  This earth is holy.  Therefore everything on this round, blue altar, is holy. This includes each and every one of us.

During the COVID 19 isolation period was a good time to reevaluate our relationship with our buildings. I like the stained glass windows, the Altar as the central focus, the candles, Books of Common Prayer, and flowers in season.  But none of this is too good for the stranger to also come in and enjoy.  God made every man, woman and child you will ever meet.  That makes them as Holy as everybody else.  They may not always act like it, but they are.  Don’t let them acting like they are not holy, make you act like you are not holy either. You are.  Respect the dignity of every human being. As we are now coming back together, let us bring the stranger with us.

Please keep Ukraine in your prayers, our prayers are making a real difference.

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

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 21: Year 2

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

Hosea 4:11 to 19; Acts 21:15 to 26; Luke 5:27 to 39

“After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.” (Acts 21: 19)

Sometimes, in the English language, we lose who we are talking about. The, “his ministry,” could very well mean God’s ministry.  Paul will claim it as his, (Paul’s),  ministry in the eyes of most scholars but I believe all ministry is God’s ministry through Christ Jesus.  When Paul was first commissioned in Chapter 9, the Risen Lord Jesus said, “But the Lord said to (Ananias), ‘Go, for Saul; (later Paul), is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9: 15).

The people to whom Paul is speaking also recognize that there is more to what Paul is doing and saying, than Paul himself.  For, “When they heard it, they praised God. Then they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many thousands of believers there are among the Jews, and they are all zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20).  We like to be proud of what we are doing in God’s Name, but we must remember that it is God’s Holy Name that empowers us to do what we do.

I have had a lay person preach for the first time at his church.  We talked that night after he had time to reflect.  He tried to give me accolades for what he thought I did for him through four years of Education for Ministry.  I had to remind him that what he did in his wonderful sermon was in him all along.  He only needed to learn how to be open to God. 

God wants to work through us, for us. We all have a piece of God within us.  I think clergy today, even like Paul in his day, do the work of God and cause the people of the world to open themselves up to the wonders of God in order that we too might “do the things done among the Gentiles, that is, all people, through [God’s] ministry.”  Therefore  I say to you reading this blog, (clergy or not), settle down, feel God working through you, and then, by word and deed, do the ministry of God.

Please keep Ukraine in your prayers, our prayers are making a real difference.

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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 21: Year 2

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

Hosea 4:1 to10; Acts 21:1 to 14; Luke 5:12 to 26

“Once, when he was in one of the cities, there was a man covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” (Luke 5: 12)

Therein lays our biggest dilemma.  What does our Lord Jesus choose to do?  Many of us want to be made well.  For many of us, our emotional troubles are as obvious as the physical sores of leprosy.  When we pray, do we even think of the possibility that our Lord Jesus might not choose?

The man with leprosy expressed his humility by first bowing down to the ground.  This is an outward and visible sigh of his totally giving up of himself to Jesus. He said to Jesus, “Lord, if you choose, you can make me clean.” The man held nothing back, knowing full well that it was completely up to Jesus. Jesus was so moved by the man’s surrender that he actually reached out and touched the man.  Perhaps, in more ways than one, he probably touched his heart also.  And when Jesus saw the man’s complete handing over his life to God he had compassion for him and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5: 13)

Today we don’t have to lie down prone, prostrating ourselves in such a physical way, although I know of at least one monastic order that does this as a part of taking their life vows. But we are still required to give up ourselves totally to God.  And we must understand that God may not choose to cleanse us in this mortal life.  But let us not be so concerned about a mortal cleansing.  Instead, let us be more concerned about eternal salvation, that is, the immortality that is to come through faith and with it a healthy and complete existence in the next realm.

 Eternal salvation means being in Paradise with our Lord and savior Jesus Christ for all eternity.  This is what we really want, and it is what we really want our Lord Jesus to choose to do for us.  How welcome will be the words from our Lord Jesus when he says, “I do choose [you].” Thank You Lord Jesus.

Please keep Ukraine in your prayers, our prayers are making a real difference.

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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 21: Year 2

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

Hosea 2:14 to 23; Acts 20:17 to 38; Luke 5:1 to 11

“You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions.”  (Acts 20:34)

I think Paul sets a good example for all people in any ministry in these words, that is, to work a regular job and still study and educate people in the Way of the Lord and in the teachings of the Gospel.  This message is not just for ordained persons, it is for any of us who feed the homeless; for those of us who weave prayer shawls; for those of us who have a ministry of driving people to pick up their meds; for those of us who teach Sunday School, and yes, for those of us who are also ordained clergy. I am aware that in a large, main-line Christian denomination, parishioners as well as the clergy themselves, insist on being steadfast in their vocation as pastor.  When I told my spiritual advisor, while still in seminary, that I desired to be a “working priest” he honestly told me that if he was on a search committee he would not even consider me for a clergy position.  That was in 2004.

Today, as the Episcopal Church is reinventing itself, the idea of the working priest, or “bi-vocational” priest is definitely on the table for consideration, especially for our smaller parishes.  There are more benefits to this idea than one might think.  How nice it is to stand before people on Sunday morning conducting the service and your congregants are well aware that you too have worked the whole week just as they have.  And, that working priest then demonstrates pledging and giving to the poor as well.  Paul also says in our reading for today, “In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:36)

I think that people who work in needed secular occupations enhance their lives by also participating in various Christian ministries.  It should not be one in place of the other.  This should be both/and, not either/or.  Perhaps the only exception should be a bishop who is the chief pastor of a diocese which by its size and nature becomes his or her primary vocation.  But even to this occupation such clergy might be inclined to teach a Christian Education class as a side contribution. We all should work in community for the maintenance of that community.  A smart person once told me that “everybody can’t be in the cart, somebody is going to have to get out and help push.” Paul says, “You know for yourselves that I worked with my own hands to support myself and my companions.”  I think these two messages are the same.  Proclaiming the Word should be in addition to work, not instead of work.

Please keep Ukraine in your prayers, our prayers are making a difference.

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

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 21: Year C

Amos 6:1a,4-7; Psalm 146; 1st Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

“He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.”   (Luke 16:24)

Referring to another Gospel may be a bit off but when I get what I believe to be related messages I like to call attention to it.  In the Gospel according to Matthew we hear Jesus tell Peter, “ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19); and again the same words in Matthew 18:18 (Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.)

The rich man in the Gospel according to Luke experiences this.  He could not let go of his privileged status.  He assumes that because he was important on earth, he is important in heaven.  His world is turned upside down.  He thinks so much of himself that even in his dire situation he will not speak with Lazarus directly.  He thinks himself above Lazarus.  What he bound on earth has stuck with him in heaven and is witnessed against him.

While you and I are still in this life on earth we have the opportunity to have “loosed” whatever is going to hinder us in heaven.  We must humble ourselves now so that when that time comes (and it will) we will be on the good side of that great chasm from which no one can cross even if we can talk over it as Father Abraham and the rich man did.

The closer our joys and pains are to each other, the less difference it makes if our world is turned upside down.  We should live our lives in moderation. We should appreciate having what we need and at the same time care for those in need as we are able to do so. It is better that we all live safe and comfortable lives than to be so polarized that while a few live very well, a great many suffer hunger and hardship. The Holy Spirit cautions us that the Lazarus of this world could witness against us in the next.

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 20: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening,  Psalm 136

Hosea 1:1 to 2:1; Acts 20:1-16; Luke 4:38-44

“After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples; and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia.  When he had gone through those regions and had given the believers much encouragement, he came to Greece” (Acts 20:1 and 2).

To encourage a person is to build their self esteem.  It is to make them confident in their vocation, occupation, faith, and civic duty. In this reading Paul encourages his disciples and others as he travels. First, he encourages his disciples, and then he encourages the people of Macedonia.  He is full of the “lifting up” language.

We have so many people around us everywhere today that need encouragement.  This encouragement does not mean only saying nice things to people who agree with you.  It means giving hopeless people hope.  I am again reminded of a poor woman who came to our parish while I was leading a meeting.  I excused myself to let the woman know that I couldn’t see her at the moment but shortly I would be able to attend to her.  In her urgency, she asked “has this church ever “hoped” anyone.”  I was confused at first.  I then realized that she was using an improper past tense of the word “help.”  She wanted to know if we had ever helped anyone before. Apparently she didn’t want to wait for me if we didn’t tend to help, particularly financially.  As it turned out she did not stay.  But her word did stay with me.

We Christians are to “hope” the hopeless.  Hope is not a verb, at least in its normal use.  But I would like to change that.  Can we not “hope” people?  By this I mean encourage people; give people hope.  Remember, we should not necessarily look only for the like-minded people.  Let’s move our encouragement to all those who are human, and so, created in the universal and internationally diverse Image of God, regardless of their political or religious belief . Let’s lift them up, encourage them, and give them hope, let’s hope them. Amen.

Please continue to keep Ukraine in your prayers. The world is watching, and so is God.  Let’s Hope Ukraine.

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