onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 121, 122, and 123; Evening,  Psalm 124, 125, and 126;
Nahum 1:1 to 13; 1 Peter 1:13 to 25; Matthew 19:13 to 22:

“If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile.” (1^st Peter 1:17)

There are two meaningful words in the above words from Saint Peter; deeds and exile. 

It seems there is a certain amount of judgment for us in the next life based on our deeds. I note the absence of what we believe religiously.  The charitable deeds we do in life remind me of the feeding, clothing, and visiting of the sheep in Matthew 25 as they are separated from the goats. Regardless of what we believe or don’t believe, we need to be good for goodness sake.

I am also reminded that here on earth we are in exile. We have a Father in that heavenly realm who watches how we are living while we are here. We are not meant to live here for all eternity. We are citizens of heaven. 

We have been taught by our Savior to love and worship God Almighty and no one else, or nothing else.  Peter says of Jesus, “Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God:” (1^st Peter 1:21). With our faith and hope set on God we learn to love one another and to do good deeds whenever, and wherever we can, while here in our exile.

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 29: Year 1

Psalm 106:1to 18; Evening, Psalm 106:19 to 48
Joel 3:1-2,9-17; 1 Peter 1:1-12; Matthew 19:1to 12

“His disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But he said to them, ‘Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given” (Matthew 19:10 and 11).

There are many people who perhaps should not marry, both men and women. Jesus himself did not marry. There is a lot of societal pressure exerted on us to get married but once we do, that same pressure is not there to help us maintain our marital relationships. 

Too many young men and women are not aware of the option of monastic or, religious life – a life dedicated to the service of the Lord. It would be wonderful if brothers and sisters from monasteries and convents could have their turn in high schools and universities explaining the monastic way of life.  How many young people would accept a call to this vocation rather than the military, or college, or work and marriage, or gang involvement and incarceration or perhaps too early a death?

As our Lord Jesus says, only those to whom it is given can accept such a vocation. I believe that we should make available to our young folk every possible way of honorable life, including and also beyond marriage, as they may have been given such a call. Life is not one size fits all. And our communities need the variety of all sorts of dedicated discernments.

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, Christ the King Sunday: Year B

Revelation 1:4b-8 and John 18:33-37

“Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” (John 18:35)

We can learn so much from the words of Pontius Pilate.  In our NRSV translation of John 18:35 above, we have the words “your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me.”  In the NIV translation we have, “it was your own people and your chief priests who handed you over to me.” While this might sound the same, I have to side with the NIV because the Jewish people were not then, nor now, a nation; Israel is a nation. They were and, are Israel, believers of One God who struggles with God as their father Jacob did and was so named when he wrestled with God after sending his family before him to safety: (Genesis 38:24 to 30).

So when Pilate says to Jesus, “I am not a Jew, am I?” He is correct. But I believe the NIV is closer to the truth with its wording of “your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me.”  Judas was one of Jesus’” own people.”  He was not a nation, but a member of the twelve and he was a Jew. You and I are Jesus’ own people. So, do we hand our Lord Jesus over again to be crucified? Do we disown him as did Peter and Judas did? We too struggle with God.  We too are Israel. We too are Jews, like it or not. Pilate says “your own people handed you over to me.” Are we the people of Jesus or not?

“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”  I must remind us now that no matter the translation, the term “the Jews,” really meant the Temple authorities. For you see, Jesus and the twelve, were all Jews. So there must be some distinction between the followers of Jesus and the Temple Authorities, the scribes and the Pharisees. And while the Temple Authorities did stir up crowds of anti-Jesus Jews, the term “the Jews” is used too broad; and at the same time, too narrow as it does not include Jesus’ own.

Let us not get caught up on the name given to us One-Goders of today?  There is a lot we must get over.  What we Christians really want is the truth.  To this Jesus says to Pilate, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice:” (John 18:37).  If our Eucharistic Lectionary had gone one verse further for today we would have what the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, (the Most Reverend Rowan Williams), called “the most profound question in the whole of the New Testament; which comes from the lips of Pontius Pilate; “What is truth?

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 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 107:33 to 43, and Psalm 108; Evening,  Psalm 33;
Isaiah 65:17 to 25; Revelation 22:14 to 21; Matthew 18:21 to 35:

“For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.” (Isaiah 65; 17 and 18)

I visited the City of Jerusalem during my Holy Land tour in February of 2018. The picture that heads this blog of Israel from Lake Galilee was taken from that trip.  I was not impressed with Jerusalem.  Even Jesus remembers it as a city that kills the prophets. (Matthew 23:36)

Perhaps a new earth with a Jerusalem as a joy is a wonderful idea.  However, not remembering human sin causes me some concern. I forget when or where I heard it said but it is true that unless we remember where we went wrong, we will go wrong again. The sin of the inhumanity to humans by humans is heartbreaking and awful. I so want a new way to live together with all humanity. But I think collectively we need to justifiably feel sad about much of our past and teach our young ones to watch their thoughts and attitudes towards others.  The nationality, language, skin color, sex, sexual orientation, diet nor anything else should ever hinder our ability to love the other.

I pray the new earth and new Jerusalem prevents discriminating barriers from being built at all. Hey, I have an idea!  Why don’t you and I live in joy as citizens of that new earth and that new Jerusalem now?  We’ll delight in doing the Lord’s work.

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 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1 to 32;
1^st Maccabees 4:36 to 59; Revelation 22:6 to 13; Matthew 18:10 to 20:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

In this talk Jesus has asks us to passionately confront any person whom we feel has wronged us, or anyone we have wronged.  If the one on one doesn’t work, bring in two or three more for fairness sake. If that doesn’t work, consult the parish family, perhaps the pastor or priest. Jesus is setting up a way to bring us back together as in the one sheep that was lost in the lead story.

We are created social beings (like sheep).  We need each other. When we are together, God is in the midst of us. God may have finished the heavens and the earth, but you and I are still a work in progress. It is not so much that we were created, but rather, we are being created. When any two of us are together in the faith, our Lord Jesus accompanies us and we become three. We become a trinity in the Lord. We just need to become more aware of God’s divine presence with us. It is in this way that we are blessed, and brought back, and belong.  I know I am. Thank You Lord Jesus.

“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.  

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

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning,  Psalm 105:1 to 22; Evening,  Psalm 105:23 to 45;
1^st Maccabees 4:1 to 25; Revelation 21:22 to 22:5; Matthew 18:1 to 9:

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’  He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18: 1 to 4)

Before our Lord Jesus answers the question about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, he first answers the most important question that should have been asked; namely, how does one even gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven?

To answer this he places a trusting child in their midst.  The child is a living symbol of dependence on the adults.  The child needs the parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents and all the elders to be loving and trusted protectors and providers. This is who God is for us.

Then, Jesus answers the original question.  The humblest is the greatest, both here and in the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore my beloved of the Lord, we need to start our humility training now. I would rather be last to get into the kingdom of heaven and be the least of those there, than left outside only accompanied by my arrogance in the great void.

We are children of God. We trust in the love, provision, protection, and finally, the calling of God into the kingdom of heaven. 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 Proper 28: Year 1

Psalm 101 and 109: Evening, Psalm 119:121to 144;
1 Maccabees 3:42 to 60; Revelation 21:9 to 21; Matthew 17:22 to 27:

“And when he [Simon Peter] came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?’ When Peter said, ‘From others’, Jesus said to him, ‘Then the children are free. However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.” (Matthew 17: 25 to 27)

In my experience this passage is seldom used as sermon material.  However there are layers of revelation here about who Jesus is.

First of all, Jesus, while not with Peter when he encountered the collectors of the temple tax, already knew what happened, just as he knew the experience of many before they came to him.  Second, when he posits the question to Peter he already knew the answer. He knew that he and his followers were the “other,” from whom the king take their toll or tribute.  Lastly, I always thought the fishermen of Jesus’ day fished with nets. But Jesus instructs him to use a hook, (no mention of bait) and upon bringing in a fish, examine its mouth and get the coin.  This coin, Jesus says,  will be paid for “you and me.”

We are the “other” of this Gospel lesson.  We are not the children of the rulers of this world. We are the children of God. And God, even working through God’s own created nature will save us and provide what we need even without bait. We should live our lives always expecting divine intervention. Our Lord Jesus has paid the necessary price for you and for me. This certainly will preach.

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 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 94;
1^st  Maccabees 3:25 to 41; Revelation 21:1 to 8; Matthew 17:14 to 21:

“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith.”  (Matthew 17:19 and 20)

The Gospel accounts, and perhaps the whole of the Bible, require intense study. I noticed that while our readings from Matthew are from chapter 17: verses 14 to verse 21. However, there was no verse 21 in the NRSV that I started with.  So I went to other Gospel accounts that covered the same story. Lo and behold, Mark has a different response from Jesus to the disciples, and to us. The notes in the Matthew version acknowledge that “some manuscripts have what is in Mark, that is Jesus saying, “this kind can come out only by prayer.” Mark 9:29.”

While the original, or some version of Matthew might have had the same words before a redaction, the point is, prayer is so important. I am not talking about audible, out loud prayer. I am talking about sitting silently with God and asking for help.  God is a Spiritual presence that is always with us, waiting to help us because God loves us. We just need to ask God for the help we need, and then we just let God do what God does.

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 28

Morning, Psalm 89:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 89:19 to 52;
1^st Maccabees 3:1 to 24; Revelation 20:7 to 15; Matthew 17:1 to 13:

“While he (Peter) was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)

The Transfiguration appears on its day in August and at other times during the year like today.  I am very aware of how much is going on in our readings. Today we have a hidden Trinity.  We have a cloud, we have the voice of God, and we have the visual of our Lord Jesus in plain, and very bright view.

While this is a Matthew account, we also have Peter to speak of this event in his own letter to us.  He says, ^“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”” (2^nd Peter 1:16 to 18).

This cloud-like Spirit of God has spoken about Jesus before, at His Baptism.  But this time the words, “Listen to Him,” has been added. And to listen is to be understood as obey.

I feel that once something this amazing happens, there is no way to continue in life the way it was before.  There would be no way to deny who Jesus is or that I know him, but Peter will do just that.  This makes me ponder about the amazing things that have happened to me in my life in Christ and yet I sometimes go on living as if these events didn’t happen.  I don’t think I listen all the time.  I am so thankful for a radiantly merciful Jesus, aren’t 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

Eucharistic New Testament Readings for Proper 28: Year B

Hebrews 10:11 to 25 and Mark 13:1 to 8:

“Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray.” (Mark 13:5)

Heaven knows we have had more than our share of what I call “Jesus-want-to-bees.”  We have had Jim Jones, David Koresh, any number of politicians (on both sides of the isle), plenty from the traditional preacher pool as well as a few from the lawyer and business brand.

I think sometimes we are just too easily led astray.  We need to know what to look for in leaders, be they spiritual, political, or just plain community leaders.  None of us are Jesus, nor will we ever be. I like leadership by consensus. This is where elected persons, representative of  all walks of community life, come together to work out reasonable solutions to problems as well as sort out productive ways forward for all in the community. With such a body of concerned people we would be as close as we could get to being Jesus. We would still miss the mark but it would be a good start.

We have to look hard to see even fair news in Mark 13.  But if we examine the words closely we will find some consolation. Jesus tells us, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.” (Mark 13:7) It is the, “do not be alarmed,” part that we should pay attention to.  We must calm ourselves. No matter what happens in this world, God is still in charge and what we think is our end is not our end at all. To quote Yogi Berra, “ It ain’t over till it’s over.” But even this Yogism is turned upside down with God’s invitation into eternity. While Mark 13 seems all doom and gloom, there is guidance within it.

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