onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32; Evening,  Psalms 42 and 43;

Ezekiel 39:21 to 29; Philippians 4:10 to 20; John 17:20 to 26:

“Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; who must be fitted with bit and bridle, or else they will not stay near you.” (Psalm 32:10)

I remember once having Morning Prayer with two other seminarians while in seminary and reading this Psalm.  We laughed as all three of us thought of people that we too would have to be fitted with bit and bridle, or else we would not stay near them.  But it was because we did indeed have understanding, and that we were loving, and so we stayed near them even when it was uncomfortable.

The metaphor of bit and bridle may in fact be a good way of looking at how God holds us close to God’s will.  We often don’t have understanding.  Often we don’t know the will of God and when God reveals just a little of it to us, we run.  We become like Jonah trying to avoid Nineveh.

I think the point of the Psalmist is that not having understanding keeps us in fear. We don’t realize the power of God’s forgiveness. We need to stay near the rough un-comfortableness of God and be patient until understanding finally comes.

There was a time in my life when I did not want one of my daughters to be pregnant.  But she was.  I could feel a prayer welling up in my gut to ask God to not let her be pregnant because she was still a senior in high school.  But she was. She gave birth to her first born.  Alex.  Alex is a gift from God to us.  I love my granddaughter so much.  So joy that God gave me is what I needed rather than what I asked for.  I am so glad God fitted me with bit and bridle, or else I would not have stayed near God.  I had no understanding.

Is there any lack of understanding in your life that causes you to want to move away from God? God will fit you with that bit and bridle and hold you close unless you turn and run to your own pain and peril, spiritually bruised from opposing the bit and bridle . We as seminarians learned that while this verse sounds funny, holding on to what God wants for us is as serious as it gets. Every human being has a story, or two, or more, of challenge. We need to tell these stories as did the prophets of the Bible. Our stories help others know that God holds us close – bit and bridle close. 

From Psalm 30 we have the words, “Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning,” (Psalm 30:6).  I seriously pray that joy comes for the people of Ukraine. I think all of us who did nothing will have this on our conscience for the rest of our lives. We too will need joy in the morning. How will God give us joy? Will bit and bridle be enough to hold us close?

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 after Ash Wednesday: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 95 and 31; Evening,  Psalm 35;
Ezekiel 18:1 to 4 and 25 to 32; Philippians 4:1 to 9; John 17:9 to 19:

“Fight those who fight me, O Lord; attack those who are attacking me.” (Psalm 35:1)

This is so out of character for me. I normally shun what I consider the hostile Psalms. But with the horror going on in Ukraine I can’t help but want God to intervene.  So, this Psalm fits with the way I am feeling.

 “Let those who seek after my life be shamed and humbled; let those who plot my ruin fall back and be dismayed,” (Psalm 35:4). Again, I am aware of the many Russian people who are opposed to what their government is doing. Many such Russians must remain quiet for fear of persecution themselves.  So, the words, “Let those who seek after my life be shamed and humbled” does not apply to all Russian people, but rather to those responsible for the violence taking place in Ukraine. 

There are many countries who are helping and praying for Ukraine. This Psalm speaks to them also. “Let those who favor my cause sing out with joy and be glad; let them say always, “Great is the Lord, who desires the prosperity of his servant.”” (Psalm 35:27)

I am convinced that God created good. And sin or evil can only happen if there is first good. If evil has nothing to tarnish, it can’t exist. God created us and the universe and made us good, but then, gave us the ability to choose between good and evil. I don’t know why some people have to molest others only because they can. It is so sad. Perhaps we should ponder about this during our approaching  Sabbath time. How is your Lenten time going?

“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 the Last Thursday after the Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening,  Psalm 37:19 to 42;
Habakkuk 3:1 to 18; Philippians 3:12 to 21; John 17:1 to 8:

“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 13 and 14)

All of us are a continual “work in progress.”  We live and learn and hopefully build on what we have, intellectually, financially, physically, relationally, and most importantly, spiritually. These latter two come together as they relate to our spiritual connection to God. We build on our relationship with God through prayer and study pondering about our connection to God.

The writer to the Church in Philippi suggests that we occasionally gather with those whom we trust are also seeking more understanding in order that we might learn together. He writes, “Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. (Philippians 3:15)  But all the while we are to keep what we have and build on it. “Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:16). 

I meet with several theological study groups during the week. We always start with prayer asking the Holy Spirit of God to be present with us and to soften our hearts in order that we might not insist on our own way but rather, be willing to accept the Truth as it is made known to us.

I have been asking us to keep the Ukrainian people in prayer. I still want that but I want us to also keep the Russian People, who object to what their government leaders are doing, in our prayers as well. I was made aware last night that I have not included them in my appeal for prayers.  Being with those who are mature and of the same mind gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to correct me.  We must “press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” All we have to do is listen.

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 Ash Wednesday (All Years)

Joel 2:1 to 2 and 12 to 17; Psalm 103; 2^nd Corinthians 5:20 to 6:10  Matthew 6:1 to 6 and 16 to 21:

“But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  (Matthew 6:3 and 4)

Here we are in Lent again.  Today starts Lent with Ash Wednesday. Many times people will come up to me to proclaim what they are giving up for Lent. They let their left hand know what their right hand is doing. Often their esteem for what they are giving up borders on idolatry.  I then ask “to what charity is the money you would have used on your creature comforts, going to?” There is always a pause.  Rarely is anyone thinking, in advance, about the charitable side of doing without in order to give to the less fortunate.

We should always have our eyes set on the “why” we are doing something rather than the “what” we are doing. Lent is a Church tradition.  It is not biblical.  We are reminded by Richard Hooker (Reformation, 17^th Century Church of England Priest) that our 3-legged stool consist of Scripture, Tradition and Reason.  Tradition then is where practice of Lent comes from. Why? It is our Church’s historic way of reconciling folk back into the fold and reminding all of us of the sacrifice our Lord Jesus made for our salvation.

Lent will not be “celebrated” with fancy sales or special ornaments.  Lent can’t be purchased or hijacked with sleighs or bunnies.  This is the season in which the Church is at its purest. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. It ends with Palm Sunday or the Sunday of the Passion which is the beginning of Holy Week which leads us into the Sunday of the Resurrection – Easter. All of this is part of our Church Tradition.  Lent is a memory milestone wherein we remember the suffering of our Lord Jesus and reorient ourselves back to the importance of corporate worship.

The ashes on our foreheads remind us that we are dust and ashes made up of the chemicals found throughout the earth (and the universe). But with the Holy Spirit of God imbedded in us we are so much more.  It is during Lent that we give thanks by emptying ourselves of all that is not necessary for our wellbeing and at the same time contributing to the welfare of the less fortunate who are also created in the Image of God.  And we do not do this in a boastful way.  “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Giving to support the Ukrainian cause would be a good way to give this year.

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 Last Week after the Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39; 

Proverbs 30:1 to 4 and 24 to 33; Philippians, 3:1 to 11; John 18:28 to 38

“Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?” (John 18: 38)

Our former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverent Rowan Williams, said, this question from Pontius Pilot about what is truth is the most profound question in the New Testament.  I too  have found that many of the most profound statements in scriptures, in fact, come from the lips of people who are less than holy but none the less raise the most interesting subjects to ponder.

When I mentor Education for Ministry I often have to remind participants that we should look for truth, not facts, as we ponder the scriptures and other readings. The truth is that there is a God and that God created all things and loves what is being created.  Some of our so-called facts were that this earth was created in six days, and that it is flat.  Facts are not the truth in all situations.  We should look for truths.

There is truth in the history of the world that God Incarnate walked among us to experience what it is like to be one of us. Often what separates truth from fact is when it happened.  So-called facts tend to have happened in the past, recent or long ago (six days).  Truth, on the other hand is ongoing and now (God loves us). 

For me, I thrive on the now.  God loves us.  We all have history. Some good, and some not so good, but God loves us anyway. More often than not, we are treated by one another based on what we believe to be facts (whether criminal or heroic).  It is only ourselves and God Almighty who knows the truth.  Our Lord Jesus, present before Pilot, knew the Truth. Pilot did not.  And yet our Lord Jesus was being tried on alleged facts.  But our Lord Jesus tells of another way, the truth.  In fact he proclaims that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). 

Facts tend to exist in the evidence, be it from a microscope, telescope or forensics for the purpose of prosecution.  Truth, on the other hand, resides in the heart.  No matter what we have done in this life, God is beyond facts, God measures our hearts.  Thank you Lord Jesus for you are the Truth.

Please, let us continue to pray for, and respond as we can, for Ukraine and her people.

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 Last Week after the Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening,  Psalms 9 and 15;

Proverbs  27:1 to 6 and10 to 12; Philippians  2:1 to 13; John 18:15 to 18 and 25-27:

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—   a stranger, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)

This is an election year although, not a general election year. Soon, every day we will hear more and more of the rhetoric of political candidates telling us how good they are and how unfit their competitors are for that same office.

If I were running for an elected office I would want my campaign manager, or at least those who want me to run for an elected position to boast about my fitness for the office, and not myself.  But this is the way of the world today.  Even in the election of a Bishop for a Diocese in our Episcopal Church each candidate priest is presented with an opportunity to say how good he or she is. However, such priests do not put down their competitors, thank God . For politicians however, we encourage narcissism.

Perhaps it would be better if computers did the hard work of tabulating information and then recommend candidates best suited for election based on experience, education and history.  After a short list candidates are identified, sponsors can then promote their person of choice for the office. In this way all persons interested in an elected position will have to do is do the best they can every day so that the computer collecting the information can put the best qualified person’s  names forth for consideration and election.

In any case, those who want a certain person in an elected office should be the ones boasting about how their choice is best suited for the position, not the person him, or herself. We all should be doing the best we can in everyday life.  While education and experience carry a lot of weight, one’s history of doing good probably is the most valuable marker of what kind of person you are.

Wait a minute! Isn’t collecting our information what God is doing now? All we have to do is the best we can every day.

A personal note: Let us continue to pray for the people of Ukraine, in Ukraine and wherever dispersed.

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 Last Sunday in Epiphany: Year C

Exodus 34:29 to 35;  Psalm 99;  2^nd Corinthians 3:12 to 4:2;  Luke 9:28 to 43:

“Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.” (Luke 9: 30)

It has been explained to me that Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets.  Therefore, to Jesus, comes the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

This scene is further testified to by Peter to others as found in 2^nd Peter 1:18. As Moses and Elijah appeared before Peter, James and John it is evidence of the resurrection of those who came before Jesus making Jesus the first fruits of creation. 

So how did Peter, James and John know who Moses and Elijah were?  There were no emails, or pictures that could have been shared. Perhaps this was another one of those examples where the Holy Spirit is filling in the gaps of our unknowing. 

This radiance of Jesus is the last holy light we will see for a while.  Ash Wednesday is three days  away.  You won’t hear about Lent in the news or in the shopping centers.  The secular world goes from Valentine’s Day to Easter.  There is no money to be made with people reflecting on who God is calling them to be, or the reconciliation of relationships, or repentance.

Moses obeyed God and went back to Egypt to lead God’s chosen out of bondage. Elijah and the prophets prophesied about the wrath to come if people didn’t change their ways.  Both were called to do dangerous work.  Both appeared before Jesus and were witnessed by new followers, Peter, James and John, who were also called to do dangerous work. As you are Christian, you too are called to step out of your comfort zone and follow God’s call for the benefit of others. Let us continue to remember and support the people of Ukraine.

We at St Paul’s in the Pines will switch to Rite I during Lent for Sunday Services during Lent.  This is the Church in its purest form.  It is not about the market or sales or whatever the latest thing is.  It is about the cloud of unknowing filling in the gaps of our understanding and providing reconciliation and opportunities for repentance.

Just a few sentences down in  Luke’s account of the Gospel in our reading for today, we will be informed by that cloud, that Jesus is God’s beloved son and that we are to “listen to him.”  And listening in this context means obeying. And Jesus says for us to “Follow Him.”

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 Seventh Week of Epiphany: Year 2

 Morning, Psalms 137 and 144; Evening, Psalm 104;
Proverbs 8:22 to 36; 2^nd Timothy 1:1 to 14; John 12:20 to 26:

“How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:4)

I never thought I would use any of the words of Psalm 137. But I have a heavy heart for those of Ukraine who are leaving their homes and businesses. It is so sad. It is in their homes and businesses in the land of Ukraine that they sang their Lord’s song as they knew it. And now, they are either dying or leaving. Even as I write this I pray for things to turn around.

However even in this low state of hurt and pain I do not wish upon any Russian people harm to their children or their babies as wanted in this Psalm. My sense of judgment only goes so far.

As God intervened in the captivity of the Israelites under Nebuchadnezzar, and did it in God’s own time, so too, I ask God to come to the aid of the Ukrainian people as is fitting in God’s will and time. We must not let the situation of the Ukrainian people be forgotten, it is life for them.

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 Seventh Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 140 and 142; Evening,  Psalms 141, 143:1-11(12);
Proverbs 8:1 to 21; Philemon 1 to 25; John 12:9 to 19:

“Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Save me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.” (Psalm 142:6)

This is one of four Psalms appointed for today. I pray this Psalm for the people of Ukraine who have now come under Russian attack. This is so sad. I think God asks “when will we cease from being evil to one another?”

I cry for the people of Ukraine, and so, my cry goes up in prayer. When we cry, we pray. God’s ears hears tears.

God did not bring us about to harm one another. God brought us into being to love one another and to care for this fragile planet earth, our island home, and God’s favorite jewel in the created universe, this perfect blue marble.

But we have transgressed God’s law of life for humanity. In particular, the ruling authorities of Russia have followed a leader who is not concerned with the joy of a neighbor, but rather more concerned with his own personal power. But, all power belongs to God: (Psalm 62:11).

God created us to love one another and care for creation and this earth. Humanity, on this earth, has established communities of governments which preserve the various cultures that we have come to love, trust and abide by. No one of us should orchestrate  a destructive force against a peaceful people who are trying to live harmoniously with the rest of us. The problems we face with the war in Ukraine is not one of Russian aggression, but rather, Russian leadership aggression. I don’t believe God is okay with what is going on. I know I’m not. God loved us into being. therefore, we are creatures of God’s love. We all should act as such. “Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low.”

 I ask us all to please keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers.  Thanks.

“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

Eucharistic Readings for Saint Matthias; February 24

Acts 1:15 to 26  Psalm 15; Philippians 3:13 to 21;  John 15:1,6 to 16:

“Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1: 24 to 26)

I ponder much about this Gospel account and our Church response to it.  First of all The Gospel gives us twelve Apostles, perhaps only to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. However, in recorded calling from scripture we only have Jesus to invite  maybe seven to be Apostles: Simon and Andrew (Matthew 4:18 – 20); John and James (Matthew 4: 21 – 22); Matthew (AKA Levi)  (Matthew 9:9); Philip (John 1:43); and Nathaniel (John 1: 50 – 51).  There is also one who rejected Jesus’ call: the Rich young man: Mark 10:21 -22. Too bad, we could have had his name as an apostle.  To all those who accepted his invitation to “follow me,”  we have these five or seven depending on how we interpret the translation.

So Matthias (among others) were added to the eleven to make it twelve, even though twelve was assumed. But even in the selection of Matthias it might have been a premature move on the part of Peter. God will select Paul later to be an Apostle. Perhaps it is God’s will that Paul fills the vacant spot.

I like to ponder these things because no one, not even the original Apostles knew the actual mind of God. And even among the apostles, Simon Peter, John and James seem to be the chosen three who went with Jesus in the deepest sense of his work: the healing of Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:51), the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1): and his passion prayer on the night he was arrested (Matthew 26:37). Maybe we should not get too caught up in the numbers game. The calling of Matthias was more the Church calling than Jesus calling although we fully recognize Matthias as a full disciple of Christ as we who are believers should be.  To be a disciple is to be a student of Christ. Like faithful Mathias, we too don’t have to have a detailed history of teachings and miracles. We just need to follow Christ and do what He tells 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