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Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 6^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:97 to 120; Evening, Psalms 81 and 82;

Leviticus 26:27 to 42; Ephesians 1:1 to 10; Matthew 22:41 to 46:

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”  (Ephesians 1:7 – 10)

These are the opening words to the Church in Ephesus by Paul or someone writing for Paul. The writer, through revelation from God, shares with us that the forgiveness of our sins has been God’s plan from the beginning of our time, to be made manifest in the fullness of our time. This is free grace that is lavished on us from God through the blood  (or life) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of whom we partake of at our Holy Communion.

As adopted children of God through our brother Jesus, we are called to continue in the work of gathering all things (all people) to God. I look at us Christians as the care takers of the world, both people and all creation. Hints from Genesis suggest that after the world was made the caretaker creatures (we) were placed onboard to maintain this place.  We are the caretakers.  “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will.”

Our own human selves are not excluded from our own care. Just as charity begins in the home, so too does human self-care.  Among the human species, the Christian is like unto a flight attendant.  Flight attendants serve to make the passengers safe and comfortable while on their journey.  Flight attendants are not recruiting more flight attendants.  We Christians also are here to serve all people, Christian and non-Christian alike, while not trying to make all people Christian. “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us [Christians] the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things [all people] in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”  This is what I believe the Spirit of God told the writer of the letter to the Church in Ephesus, and this is what I believe the Spirit is still  saying to us today.

As we assist people on their way to God let us not leave out the people of Ukraine.  Also, let us not leave out members of the Russian military who don’t always know any better. “All people to God” really means all people to God. We are not called to judge, but to love, and we do this by listening and learning in order that we might love and lead. “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will:” that is “to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”

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 the 6^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;

Leviticus 26:1-20; 1^st Timothy 2:1 to 6; Matthew 13:18 to 23:

“This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1Timothy 2:3-4)

I know that I am not perfect. I have many flaws and imperfections.  I am so thankful that we have a loving and merciful God and Savior in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of everyone being saved, and everyone coming to the knowledge of truth. I think the key word here is “everyone.”

The word needs to get out to “everyone” that God desires all people to be saved. Contrary to our normal fear of scarcity, heaven does not run out of room. Perhaps the biggest problem we might have is sharing total freedom and glory with our neighbors, all neighbors. The only thing hindering us from that glory is our personal story. However, once we understand ourselves, knowledge and truth will assure our place in God’s divine plan.

The Word needs to get out that God desires everyone to come to the knowledge of truth. Like most of us I was raised with certain prejudices and biases that caused me to not see the inclusive love of God.  As a Christian, and with some good Christian education, I have come to, and am still coming to,  the understanding that God, in Christ Jesus, came among us to both know about us and experience what it means to be us first hand.

Being saved and coming to the knowledge of truth is the message Our Lord Jesus gave to Paul for Timothy and for us. This message is for all of us who hear. But I think more especially for Christians as we have that calling to model, as our Lord Jesus did, love for all people regardless of who they are or what they think they believe or don’t believe.  There is more than enough room and comfort for all in heaven. Therefore we should be holding dear to us in prayer everyone from the president to the homeless; people of other countries (friend or foe); and people we have been taught not to trust.  All are invited by God to be with God.  We Christians are God’s helpers for all humanity.

While many have died in the Ukraine – Russian war, on both sides, I believe that there are innocent ones among them, particularly on the Russian side, who knew not what they were doing but believe in God. I believe those too will be brought to the court of God where they will be judged by our merciful God. None of us are perfect. Our calling remains to be ever diligent in prayer for 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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 6^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;

Leviticus 25:35 to 55; Colossians 1:9 to 14; Matthew 13:1 to 16:

“He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.  The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.”  With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says: “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive.”  (Matthew 13: 11 – 14)

I think that the part that says, “You will indeed listen, but never understand, and you will indeed look, but never perceive,” is that sometimes we are so hard-hearted and set in our own fixations that we literally block out the truth. If we already think we know what the speaker is saying before he or she finishes what they are saying, our hearts are hardened and we don’t get it.  In such a case, “even what we do have will be taken away.” Listening is an underdeveloped art.

Only when we let go of any and all our preconceived ideas (including the idea of race), can we fully see what our Lord Jesus is doing.  Only when we truly and objectively listen to another person will we discern what is in their heart.  If there has to be a bias, make it of love. I once preached a homily wherein I challenged my listeners to draw a heart with ears.  A few did and the hearts with ears on either side looked pretty good.  I challenge you to do the same.  Regardless of your drawing skills, draw a simple heart and then draw a pair of simple human ears on each side of it.  This represents listing with your heart.

I think Jesus’ main point is that we hear what we want to hear.  I also think his deeper point is that we should want to hear Good News.  We should listen optimistically as well as lovingly. In this way, even if we don’t understand the message of the parable, we will continue to delve deeper until we get it. If we seek, we will find. To their credit the disciples of Jesus stuck with him and followed him and pressed him until they got the parables unraveled, albeit after the Resurrection.  Maybe their determination for the truth was what they all had in common. Are you determined to be a disciple of Jesus?  If so, listen with the ears of your heart and seek the Truth.

Let us ever keep Ukraine in our prayers. Ukraine still has much, and they will be given even more. And they will have an abundance. This is the way God works.

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 the 6^th Week of Easter: Year C

Acts 16:9 to 15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10 and 22 to 22:5; John 14:23 to 29 or John 5:1 to 9:

“Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23) 

So much of our Christian teaching has to do with us going to God.  But here Jesus says that He and the Creator will come to us, and make their home with us! It might be time for some spring cleaning! What will it look like for God in the person of Christ Jesus to come and live in you? Will people see that God is acting out in you? When (not if) this happens, how can we get out of the way so that God can do God’s work?

Jesus gives us a peace which surpasses all understanding.  We have a peace which will assist us in resolving our problems – if we would but give it a chance. When Jesus, with the Creator comes to live with us and gives us this divine peace, how do we live into it?  Blaise Pascal says. “The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.” and “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” How about sitting quietly in a room with the Holy Spirit of Jesus, with the Peace that Jesus leaves with us?  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” (John 14:27)

In our alternative John reading, our Lord asks  the man who had been ill for 38 years, “if he wanted to be made well?”  (John 5:6)

For me, morning exercise is so wonderful!  The mornings are quiet. Exercise starts the blood moving. And, while it is good for the whole body, it is especially good for the brain.  It is with such an awakened mind that I review my journal just prior to posting to my blog site.  When I think of newborn babies I recall that they first express their aliveness in movement. This is the way we are made.  We move and then we reason, think, we pray and ponder. But it starts with the One in Whom we live and “move” and have our being. This is God Almighty, the Alpha and the Omega.  Yes, I want to be made well. Being made well requires effort on me as well and no excuses about what others are doing to me.  

Every day I also play the piano. The amount of time spent playing is not always the same. Some days are shorter, some days longer.  I don’t know how fast I am improving.  But I like hearing the music that I make. And here is the best part; it is me that is doing it!  I did not give up on me. I am reminded that we don’t quit playing because we grow old; we grow old because we quit playing.  That is just as true in music as it is in sports and exercise.  Thirty eight years is nothing. I’m almost twice that. We must keep on keeping on. Thank You Lord Jesus.

As God comes to us God can make a home in Ukraine. How wonderful for them to be made well.

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 the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Mornings, Psalm 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;

Leviticus 23:23 to 44; 2^nd Thessalonians 3:1 to 18; Matthew 7:13 to 21:

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easythat leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  (Matthew 7:13- 14)

I often remind my congregation that Christianity is not for the faint of heart.  It’s hard work, a narrow gate, if you will.  If you have ever been in line to get through a narrow door, or even in heavy traffic where one lane is closed and drivers must merge or “zipper” into a single lane, you have some idea about the need for patience.  Also, the road is difficult.  Christians must undergo some uncomfortable experiences and often stand with those who are overwhelmed.

Our Congregation as been downsized due to COVID 19.  Many Christians of “Mega” churches have also been downsized and don’t like it.  However in the beginning of the Jesus Movement, we assembled in the homes of believers (in secret).  We were small groups around a table. We may be back to that now.  Those who brought the Word, themselves worked jobs only to show that they were not trying to profit from the Gospel, rather, they were prophets of the Gospel.

In our 2^nd Thessalonians reading for today we read, “For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you,  and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate.  For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.”  (2 Thessalonians 3: 7 – 10)

I am one of those clergy who believes that I should have a regular job as I study and prepare to preach the Gospel.  Not a lot of Clergy agree with me, and that’s fine.  In my way of understanding the clergy role. it should be the bishop whose sole focus should be his or her diocese. The argument will be raised, “Who wants to go to three years of seminary only to work as a part-time priest?”  Our  Gospel reading says, “For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” As I look back now I regret not having worked a secular vocation while in active ministry.

Our lives as believers comes down to believing, praying and following God’s lead even through the narrow gates, and over the hard roads, while supporting ourselves and others.  Standing with Ukraine is both a narrow gate and a hard road to traverse. They continue to need our prayers and support  while being attacked by the Russian military. We are called to stand with David even as he faces Goliath. Following our faith is not easy but it is where our Great Shepherd is leading us.

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 the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

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

Leviticus 23:1 to 22;  2^nd Thessalonians 2:1 to 17; Matthew 7:1 to 12:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.” (Matthew 7:7)

I believe the most significant lessons of our lives come as a result of the questions we ask. We live in a wonderful time.   With our phones we literally have world libraries in our pockets.  We can ask anything in the world.  This does not come without a caution however.  The old saying is true, “garbage in; garbage out.”  Readers beware.  And again, advice from a friend of mine, “ask a question and, if necessary, question the answer.”

When it comes to Godly concerns, we can read the Bible but I don’t recommend it to be done in isolation.  There are also Bible Study classes that can be taken to help you. And with this I recommend such classes to open and close in prayer.  It is also necessary when asking such questions to go beyond the Bible, to the saints of old and the saints new.

Many of the saints who have gone before us have answers to our questions. But let’s place this passage where it belongs; our Lord Jesus is talking about judgment, specifically, not judging others. He uses examples of the speck in our neighbor’s eye and the log in ours.  And then he goes into how we treat our children whom we love as God loves us.  The point here is that we want what is best for those we love remembering that God loves us all. 

Sometimes we really don’t know what is best, given that we bring our own baggage (or log in our eye) into the situation.  So, we must ask God for what is best, knowing that God’s response may be uncomfortable at times.  From one of our saints who has gone before us we have a prayer in our Book of Common Prayer that I think addresses what we should ask for;

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis as printed in our 1979 Book of Common Prayer:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (BCP 833)

Please keep Ukraine and the people of Ukraine in your prayers. Prayer is working right now!

“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 the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74;

Leviticus 19: 26 to 37;  2^nd Thessalonians 1:1 to 12; Matthew 6:25 to 34:

“And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)

I am a champion worrier.  And I realize that the worrying itself (in most cases), does more harm to my wellbeing than the issue I am worrying about. I think worrying is somehow related to fear. They must be cousins if not parent and child, fear then, giving birth to worry.  I heard in a movie once that basically fear is a deep concern about some event that has not happened yet, and may not happen at all. And yet here we are, ready to give up or worse yet, do something regrettable because of it.

Our Lord Jesus makes the point that worrying really can’t help us, only hurt us.  Our Lord Jesus tells us regarding things we worry about that, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But strive first for the kingdom of Godand hisrighteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 32 – 33)

I also ponder about the next verse and how God’s time might apply here.  Our Lord Jesus says, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:34)  So tomorrow!  Is that this life or the next?  I fear, I worry still.

I worry about the fate of Ukraine. I keep them in prayer. I send money to different organizations that support them.  There is so much cleanup that needs to happen when the bombing stops for good.  I worry about whether or not the dispersed Ukrainians will return to their homeland.  Worrying is not like praying.  Worrying fixes nothing. Praying repairs all things through the Holy Creator and Sustainer.  So we must continue to pray for Ukraine and not worry (so much).  Jesus informs us that our Parent knows our needs – Ukraine’s needs – and will see to it that what is really needed is provided. Thank You Lord Jesus.

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 the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73 to 96;

Leviticus 19:1 to18; 1^st Thessalonians 5:12 to 28; Matthew 6:19 to 24:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6:21)

I think of this verse, in reverse. I think that I first consider what my heart desires and then realize that my heart’s desire is my treasure. Treasure is often thought of as money. We can’t eat money. Money is our community currency that has a long shelf life – longer than wheat, or live stock, or anything we could use to trade with. Money, therefore, is a tool for trade and commerce, nothing more.

Knowing myself the way I do I think my heart’s desire is peace. I always cringe at the onset of any kind of hostility. I loathe domestic violence, bullying, and all hate initiated behavior.  Therefore peace is my treasure.

I think for me, strongly connected with peace is eternal life, which I believe is ultimate peace. I hope, pray and trust that joining Christ in paradise will be the eternal place of peace where there will be no more crying, forever. This then is my ultimate treasure. And it is first based on my heart’s desire.

Perhaps this is some insight into why I am so disturbed by the Russian aggression against Ukraine. This is hate fueled violence and bullying on an international scale.  It’s just as bad as in-home domestic violence. It is sinful and evil. It is in stark contrast to my passion for peace, my heart’s desire and ultimate treasure.  Thank You Lord Jesus, for you are the prince of peace who has sent your Holy Spirit to shepherd us into that peaceful and eternal paradise where you are, in order that we may be there also.

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 the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening,  Psalm 68:

 Leviticus 16:20-34; 1^st Thessalonians 5:1 to 11; Matthew 6:7 to 15:

 “For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Matthew 6:7 – 9)

I like thinking of myself mostly as a day creature.  I rise before the sun comes up and go to bed shortly after it sets.  However, as I take a distant look of our solar system through space cameras or art, I realize that during the day my place on the earth is facing inward toward the sun. But at night, my view is toward the universe, that vast expanse of interstellar space.  Hey, I’m “pondering” here ok.  Our night time view is one of taking in the stars and planets, the universe that God created. I have become familiar with the “Big Dipper” and “Orion’s Belt,” the occasional visitation of Venus and Mars and other planets and constellations as they make their journeys in their God-given paths

So for me, night is more than just a time for sleep, it is also a time of wonder. As a Christian, I agree with Bishop Kallistos Ware who says, “It is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. 

There is genuine goodness in people of all walks of life. But then evil comes. Evil cannot make itself known without good present. Evil must have good close at hand in order to establish itself.  Almost all of our Bible stories show us this. There is good Abel and evil Cain; there is good Moses and evil Pharaoh; there is good Esther and Mordecai and evil Haman; there is good Jeremiah and evil Zedekiah: and today we have good Ukraine and the evil of Russian troops killing civilians and targeting the good of  hospitals and apartment buildings for bombings. We pray daily for this to stop.

We do not see evil in the night sky, only the good rotations and movements throughout the year as they make their way on their God-given paths. God has destined them for such. And God has also destined us for the same goodness through our Lord Jesus.  “For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, in pondering reflection, I think we are both day and night creatures.  And as the Holy Spirit says through Matthew, we are on our own God-given path to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us come together and stop evil from happening. We need to stop the evil some people do with guns and stop world violence and just be good as God has made us to be.

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 the 5^th Week of Easter: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 56  and 57; Evening,  Psalms 64 and 65;

 Leviticus 16:1 to 19; 1^st Thessalonians 4:13 to 18; Matthew 6:1 to 6 and 16 to 18:

“Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.  I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” (Psalm 57:1)

The Psalmist speaks of trust in God.  God is love. Trust in God is the only sure trust we can count on. All over the earth we have been hiding from the Coronavirus.  But it has still taken its toll. In the U.S. we have passed the one million death mark.  Many all over the world have died as a result of this pandemic.  However, at some point, with God’s help, we will survive this sickness.

At some point in our lives we must admit that we are God’s own.  We belong to God. God will do what God will do.  We go to God for protection and wellbeing. We are seeing that we can’t always trust politicians (either side of the isle), or the military, or any human construct when it comes to unimaginable challenges that we face. It is only in God’s mercy that can we trust completely. 

And when we come out on the other side of this (here or in heaven), we must give thanks and praise to God in word and song.  In this same Psalm we read, “My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast;  I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.” (Psalm 57:7 – 8).  We must learn to put as much effort in giving thanks after God has helped us as we put in the asking for help in the beginning.

So we must always trust in God and then praise God always. We are now trying to come out of our tight isolations all over the planet.  Stores are opening back up.  We are looking to see what our new normal will be like. But God is the same yesterday, today and forever.   God is here in this world and in the heavenly world after our temporal death.  Therefore, it is God in whom we must take refuge and in the shadow of God’s wings until the disaster has passed, or we have passed it.

It is in God that Ukraine must take refuge. While some have died, the faithful will not stay dead. And those who survive in this life will be a beacon of light for our whole planet – they, the faithful of Ukraine, will be a light shining in the darkness and will bring the rest of us into the light of faith. 

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