onewhoponders

Pondering for Friday, September 26, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 20: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms 91 and 92;
2^nd Kings 9:17 to 37; 1^st Corinthians 7:1 to 9; Matthew 6:7 to 15:

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14 and 15)

In this chapter of Matthew our Lord Jesus has taught us to pray in the words of what we now call, “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus concludes with the reminder about forgiveness. It seems God applies to us the very same criterion we use to judge others.

Every human being makes mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes we make are because we didn’t know any better. Sometimes we make terrible mistakes because we are wrongheaded. Be it a mistake or immaturity, we must learn to see it in our selves, and then we must learn to see it in others. Some people offend us accidently. Sometimes people offend us on purpose.

We are flawed but not because of any oversight on God’s part except for maybe giving us intellect and reason. We are primarily flawed because we haven’t tempered our intellect and reason with love, which is also a gift from God. We should not use one without the other. Intellect and reason used in loving ways towards one another encourages us to forgive one another. God sees our loving compassion and so God is compassionate with us as well.

Let us relax then and ponder about those who have hurt us in one way or another. Did they not know any better? Was the hurt caused on purpose? Were they just trying to help themselves at our expense? Was the hurt or sin something that they could possibly go away over time? I invite you to ask these same questions about the hurt or sin you have caused regarding someone else. Be especially focused on whether or not your hurtful or sinful behavior is something you can, and should, grow out of over time. Forgive with love, and be forgiven with God’s love.

Today our Church remembers Lancelot Andrewes; Bishop and Scholar (September 26, 1626). He reminds us of the importance of Thursdays in our Church history. Two of his commemorations are the Thursday of the Lord’s Supper after which he was arrested; and, forty days after the Sunday of His Resurrection from the dead is of course His ascent back to heaven; Ascension Day, Thursday. I would add, post biblically, that our early settlers established Thanksgiving Day on a Thursday. I wonder if they were influenced by Lancelot Andrews. Ponder, Ponder. His information may be found at: Lancelot Andrewes.

“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 of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (As found on page 336 of the BCP)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, September 25, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 20: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 34; Evening, Psalms 85 and 86;
2^nd Kings 9:1 to16; 1^st Corinthians 6:12 to 20; Matthew 6:1 to 6 and16 to 18:

“Truly I tell you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:2).

Our Lord Jesus has a huge task. He is warning the people, and us, to not be like the Pharisees in their hypocrisy. He further explains that such hypocrisy seeks the reward of people, not God.

Jesus uses examples of piety, alms giving, public prayer, and fasting, as ways that the “want-to-be” holy people draw human glory to themselves. Human glory is not of God, and it is not eternal.

Our Lord Jesus teaches us to keep a low profile. He says for us to work in secret. He asks us to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. For me this means that we should not make public the kindness we show even to those who are rude. And we should keep quiet about the giving of our money to the more needy in the world. Too many of us act as if we are running for public office and want the approval of the masses in order that we might get elected. It is narcissism, self glorification and the opposite of who God is calling us to be.

God wants us to glorify, and give thanks back to God for all that God is doing for us, the miracles that we know about, as well as the goodness that God is doing for us that we don’t know about (until later). Our Creator is continuously at work in human life providing us with what we need to sustain ourselves. God even answers unspoken prayers because God knows better than we do, what we really need. This is something to ponder.

None of us are God or even close. The best way to be more like God is not to seek glory or admiration from others, but rather to just love others, and more especially, those who seem to be un-loveable. If we seek the glory and admiration of people, and then actually get it, then we have already traded our future reward of eternal life for the cheap payment of human admiration. This means we have already been paid. Let us rather hold out for the greater gift of eternity with God in Christ Jesus. While we sometimes can’t stop people from showing us respect for being good people, we should not use this respect as some kind of public credit for personal advancement. We are called to love and serve others because God is working through us for the benefit of those around us. Therefore, we must redirect all glory to God.

Today we remember Sergius of Radonezh, Abbot of Holy Trinity (September 25, 1392) and his information may be found at: Sergius.

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

Let us pray: (A Prayer of Self-Dedication BCP p. 832)

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 20: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:97-120; Evening, Psalms 81 and 82;
2^nd Kings 6:1 to 23; 1^st Corinthians 5:9 to 6:8; Matthew 5:38 to 48:

Psalm 81: 1 to 3:

Sing with joy to God our strength and raise a loud shout to the God of Jacob.
Raise a song and sound the timbrel, the merry harp, and the lyre.
Blow the ram’s-horn at the new moon, and at the full moon, the day of our feast.

One of the questions we asked ourselves when I attended seminary is, “Will our children have faith?” I have learned that the melodies of songs, especially Christian hymns or songs, go a long way to maintaining faith.

I conducted an informal survey asking people “what is the first song or hymn they remember learning?” Many were lost trying to remember. I made suggestions like the alphabet song, Happy Birthday, Mary had a little Lamb and so forth. They all agreed but they could not come up with it without my suggestions. However, the melody was already inside them, like their God-given faith.

Also, I would suggest some of the early Christian hymns learned by young children like “Silent Night”, “Jesus loves the little Children”, and “Jesus loves me this I know.” Then after the prompt, They also agreed. Will our children have faith? Will our children have a melody in their hearts? I think one begets the other. Let’s sing to the Lord an “ Old” song.

The Psalmist (perhaps David, given that he was one who played instruments), knows that we need songs of joy in our hearts, and we need them beginning at a very young age. At my “senior” age, I am taking piano lessons. I love learning to play songs and hymns that I have sung for years.

I am aware that there are some Christian Churches that do not allow instrumental music to be played in their services. However, even most of these still give voice to their faith in song and hymns. I think that with no “sounds of music,” parishioners, particularly young parishioners, miss the opportunity to articulate their love of God in Christ Jesus more fully. Our children will have faith if we sing with them about how much our Lord Jesus loves them. Maybe later in their lives they too will learn to play their faith with timbrel, harp, lyre, guitar, piano or Saxophone.

Today we remember Anna Ellison Butler Alexander, Deacon and Teacher (September 24, 1947) and her information may be found at:Anna Alexander.

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

Let us pray:

O Almighty God who prayed all life into being with the words, “Let there be…” and created the rhythms of life, help us, we pray, to be joined in the melody of love which sustains our faith in Your goodness for all people, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 20: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
2^nd Kings 5:19 to 27; 1 Corinthians 5:1 to 8; Matthew 5:27 to 37:

“Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, ‘My master has let that Aramean Naaman off too lightly by not accepting from him what he offered. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something out of him.” (2^nd Kings 5:20)

Instead of leaving the decision of Elisha as it was, regarding payment by Naaman, Gehazi goes after more. He is greedy and he wants to see Naaman pay more dearly. This is sad. And, he doesn’t get away with it. Elisha informs him upon his return, “Did I not go with you in spirit when someone left his chariot to meet you? Is this a time to accept money and to accept clothing, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves?” (2^nd Kings 5:26). And therefore, Elisha put the leprosy on Gehazi. It seems that something must be passed on to those who follow us, good or ill.

Gehazi followed a short line of Prophets beginning with Elijah. The spirit was passed on to Elisha. Perhaps with prayer, God would have endowed Gehazi in the same way. But Gehazi was selfish, revengeful and not given to the real care of community or proper godly etiquette.

When we follow worthy mentors, we must examine their conduct very carefully. We should not second guess them if found to be good people. If we don’t agree with their way of life, then perhaps it would be better to move to another mentor.

The power of the prophet is not destroyed, it is passed on. But the recipient must be worthy; that is, loving, understanding, selfless and obedient, given to prayer and real concern for the care of his or her community. These traits are what will enable the protégé to become a mentor one day. That is, they will discipline themselves to live, listen, love, learn, and finally, to lead, as others have done who have gone on before.

Today we remember Thecla of Iconium (70), and her information may be found at:Thecla

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

Let us pray:

Heavenly Creator, be with us as we live and learn each day and help us to listen to, and respect the instruction of those whom you have placed before us as mentors and examples of righteous living, as was our Lord Jesus of Nazareth, in whose Name we pray: Amen.

Pondering for Monday, September 22, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 20: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;
2^nd Kings 5:1 to 19; 1st Corinthians 4:8 to 21; Matthew 5:21 to 26:

“But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, ‘I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy:” (2^nd Kings 5:11).

I will deal with Naaman in a moment. But for now let us go back and see the unnamed girl who informed Naaman’s wife, and therefore Naaman, about the existence of Elisha the Prophet of God. She is another unnamed prophet of the Bible. There are a few such women who get no recognition.

Now for Naaman. How often do we also ask God to “fix” something only in the way we want it done? Naaman already had in his mind what to expect from Elisha, even though he didn’t even know Elisha existed until he was told by his slave girl. So too we also often pray for specific outcomes from God. We want God to cure ourselves, or a relative rather than just say “God’s will be done,” and ask for divine intervention in whatever way God sees fit. I can recall our past Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, saying, the best we can pray to God is to just say to God, “Help.” And then let God take it from there.

There is often a requirement for us to participate in the response from God just as Naaman was told to go and wash seven times. Sometimes we are asked to spend time with the response we are seeking while not knowing what that response will look like. It also serves us well to see that God will use those among us to inform us about how we should interpret what is happening to us. In our story today, one in the company of Naaman makes him realize that had it been something difficult he would not have hesitated to do it, yet he questioned washing seven times in unknown waters. We ask because we don’t know. If we don’t know then we should be prepared to accept the divine response when, and how, and from whom, it comes.

God loves us and the Holy Spirit of God will often speak through sometimes unnamed, or even very close persons, to help us. All we have to do is listen, not second guess, and respond as told to do. God will take it from there.

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

Today we remember Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (September 21) and his information may be found at: St. Matthew

Let us pray:

O Almighty and Ever-loving God, You always care for us in ways we are not always aware of. Increase our trust in Your goodness and make us sensible to Your efforts in those you send to us for the sake of Your eternal love. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, September 21, 2025

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday, Proper 20: Year C

Luke 16:1-13

“He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.” (Luke 16:6)

In this world of the power of money we should always remember to let compassion rule over cash. I think we only created money so that trade for much needed items, from someone else, could be conducted with a less perishable medium. Live stock, olive oil, grain, fish, fruit and other food items will not hold up for long. Currency in the form of coins, on the other hand, will often last a lifetime and can even be handed down to following generations. But money was always about the ability to take care of the needs of the family and community. This was the idea of people fulfilling their needs and not so much about profit. Money was the means to a needed end.

Then we began to make money the end rather than the means. We began to pursue money for its own end. Money soon began to be the object of worship. The new replacement priests were the people who had the most money. People with little or no money were people of little or no value. We somehow forgot that money was just a tool for getting what we needed. We forgot we needed each other more than the goods that money would buy. We forgot about being good to those who we knew had less wealth than we did. We should always consider our own fallen state. We are no better than those people we manage or those who have less money than we do. We are all without money in God’s eyes. After his exposure the crafty manager in our Gospel wants to be remembered for how he put money aside in order to help his neighbors. Right now we are creating the memory that others will have of us. Our priorities will be evidenced by where we put people in relation to wealth. We can’t have it both ways. We can’t serve God and money.

This decision to be nice to people only came about when the shrewd manager was told about the accounting that was about to take place. This accounting is going to take place with every one of us. This is a good time for a review of my personal creed again: “We trust in the Creating Word, 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.”

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

Let us pray (BCP p. 234)

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, September 20, 2025

Daily Office Readings or Saturday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;
2^nd Kings 2:1 to 18; 1^st Corinthians 4:1 to 7; Matthew 5:17 to 20:

“Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.’ But Elisha said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you:” (2^nd Kings 2:1 and 2).

The need for every person to latch on to a good mentor cannot be overstated. We follow people in trades to learn how to earn a living. We follow people in professions to learn how to be doctors and lawyers and such. It is the natural course of the humanity to find and follow someone who has the skills or knowledge that we want, and to stick with them no matter what; at least until we are able to perform the same on our own.

We stick with them until we are self-sufficient in the area of concern wherein we too should welcome the company of an apprentice. Whether its mentor and protégé; or master and apprentice; the point is that we need to work with those who are right-minded and decent in their relations with others. Elisha found in Elijah the power of the Spirit of God and would not leave him.

We too, as followers of our Lord Jesus, must look for the Jesus quality in those we admire. Personally, I am not going to dedicate myself to the service of someone who has the skills that I want if the gifted person is rude, unloving, and self-serving. I don’t want the skills that bad. Trying to work with someone whose antisocial behavior is less than what it should be, with the idea that we will just copy the good parts of the person, doesn’t work. We will begin to copy the undesirable parts as well, also, we mislead the mentor in thinking he or she is ok. No, it would be better to just not get involved in any capacity.

There are plenty of good believing people in every endeavor we want to pursue. Also, today, we can start in one field of study with one good mentor, and also follow another good mentor in a little different field of study or skill. The key, at least for me, is to make sure my leaders, my mentors, my masters, are good, loving and faithful people. This is the kind of person I strive to be every day.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light:” (Matthew 11:28-30). Our Lord Jesus was, and is, the perfect mentor master, leader and teacher. He did, and continues to do, all his teaching through love for us. Let us do the same and for the same reasons.

Today we remember John Coleridge Patteson, Bishop of Melanesia, and his companions, Martyrs (September 20, 1871) and his information may be found at: John Coleridge Patteson.

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

Let us pray: (BCP p. 824)

O Eternal God, bless all schools, colleges, and universities and especially our mentors, that they may be lively centers for sound learning, new discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom; and grant that those who teach and those who learn may find you to be the source of all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Friday, September 19, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; Evening, Psalm 73;
2^nd Kings 1:2 to 17; 1^st Corinthians 3:16 to 23; Matthew 5:11 to 16:

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14 to 16)

Light is a tricky thing. It can be tainted. It can project a darkness in spite of being light. In our proposed morning Psalm for today, Psalm 69, we have the option of not saying verses 24 through 30 in the Book of Common Prayer. These verses carry with it a desire for God to wreak havoc on those we deem evil or mean. I say, God knows the whole story, therefore let God do what God will do.

Our Lord Jesus says we who follow Him are the light, or lights, of the world. Douglas R. A. Hare, writing for Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Matthew; argues that the “Your” is plural and that we, collectively as Church, must be such a light. There may be something to that but I believe our individual light must start within our individual selves. And, it is when our individual light is joined with other, inclusive, all-loving lights, that we, the Church, bring the whole world into the Light of Christ. There can be no shades, bushel baskets or “recommended omissions” in it.

I am reminded of the Negro Spiritual, “This Little Light of Mine,” as arranged by Horace Boyer and published in the Hymnal “Lift Every Voice and Sing II,” (1993).

“This Little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” Yes it starts with our individual selves. Prayerfully, as young ones, parents, teachers, preachers and such, will plant in us a loving response to the world. The next verse says, “Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.” This applies from going next door, going to school or Church, or work or store, or around the world. We must let our little lights shine. The last verse says, “Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.” I say, Thank You Lord Jesus.

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

Today we remember Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury (September 19, 690) and his information may be found at:Theodore of Tarsus

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

Let us pray:

O Almighty God, You are the ever-glowing light that brings our day into being and the little pilot light that burns in our hearts. Help us we pray to illumine the places we travel every day and to share Your light of love to all whom we meet, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, September 18, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74:
1^st Kings 22:29 to 45; 1^st Corinthians 2:14 to 3:15; Matthew 5:1 to 10:

“Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.” (1^st Corinthians 2:14 and 15)

I continue today in the spiritual sphere. I have heard it said that we are spiritual beings learning to be human, not human beings learning to be spiritual. I can’t remember who said it, but it sounds right.

Paul says that he built on a foundation begun in Christ that others also must build on. Personally, I don’t believe he is the only one. We have other foundation builders who have built on it as well. There is Peter, James, Mary Magdalene and of course Christ himself. The second part of Paul’s verse bears this out, “Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ:” (1^st Corinthians 3:10 and 11).

My beloved of the Lord, let us not be afraid to let go and let God. You don’t have to have answers, just wonder and adoration. “It is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.” (Kallistos Ware)

Being spiritual is not foolishness. It is a discerning gift from God for all who wish to have it. It is like mysticism. The great mystic Evelyn Underhill speaks of the availability of mysticism. “Evelyn Underhill’s most valuable contribution to spiritual literature must surely be her conviction that the mystical life is not only open to a saintly few, but to anyone who cares to nurture it and weave it into everyday experience,” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for June 15)

God is Spirit according to the Gospel accounts of John (4:24). And all who want to worship God must do so in spirit and truth. You, who are reading this blog, are a spiritual child of God. Live spiritually and discern all things, and be subject to no one’s scrutiny. For me, this is pondering. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest and Renewer of the Church (September 17, 1882) and his information may be found at:Edward Bouverie Pusey.

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

Let us pray: (I Pray again what I prayed yesterday)

Come Holy Spirit, lead us and guide us in ways that are pleasing to You and nurturing to our neighbors. Work in us that which is good for our environment and our health, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73 to 96;
1^st Kings 22:1 to 28; 1^st Corinthians 2:1 to 13; Matthew 4:18 to 25:

“My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God:” (1^st Corinthians 2, 4 and 5).

This is so true. Our faith must not be based on what limited scientific or geological things we can prove. God’s presence in our lives is so much more than human understanding. There is a different kind of wisdom in what God is doing within us. Paul continues, “Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory:” (1^st Corinthians 2: 6 and 7). This kind of secret knowledge is what the Gnostics of old preached in their faith tradition – that is, that only a few who God chose had this secret knowledge.

This theology is not accepted by most mainline Christian traditions. However, anyone, and everyone, who chooses to listen to the Holy Spirit of God will receive this hidden and secret spiritual knowledge. This hidden and secret spiritual knowledge is what Paul calls “These things.”

Paul says that “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God:” (1^st Corinthians 2:10). I think every now and then Paul records the absolute truth, and it is directly from God. I am not a big Paul fan. But my ear has been trained to know the divine truth when I hear it.

Paul ends this passage with the idea that spirituality seeks out spirituality. He says, “And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual:” (1^st Corinthians 2: 13) After the coming of the Holy Spirit on what the Church calls the Day of Pentecost, every human being may open him or herself to the Holy Spirit. We can, and should, listen to what the Spirit is saying to us.

Today we remember Hildegard of Bingen, Visionary (September 17, 1179) and her information may be found at: Hildegard of Bingen

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

Let us pray:

Come Holy Spirit, lead us and guide us in ways that are pleasing to God and nurturing to our neighbors. Work in us that which is good for our environment and our health through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.