onewhoponders

Morning, Psalm 38; Evening, Psalm 119:25 to 48;
Lamentation  2:8 to 15; 1^st Corinthians 15:51 to 58; Matthew 12:1 to 14:

“Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die,but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed:” (1^st Corinthians 15: 51 and 52).

I know Paul is talking about the rising to life again in Christ Jesus.  However, there is also a mystery in the change we go through when enlightened by sitting through thoughtful prayer with colleagues around the subject of Church mission. This is the experience I had last night here at clergy retreat.

The night before last night, I was again affirmed of my call to educate people, that is, to be a pastor-teacher.  I love coaching people in “How” to think, but not what to think. Last night we talked about taking the Church “out” to others. This is not done to bring them in, although we would surely welcome them as part of our family. No, we should go out to those in need in order to “hear” exactly what they need, according to them. We should not go out to them to tell them what they need, for example food.  We always want to feed people, even if their stomachs are full.

It was brought to my attention last night that if we only ask people in need, what they need, we might get answers like clothing, underwear, coats, toilet items, tampons, deodorant, even an occasional comic book to read in order to take their minds off their troubles. So the first thing should always be dialogue. Ask and they will tell us.

If we ask, we will be changed also. We will die to our old selves and be changed into the true loving servants that God in Christ Jesus wants us to be.  It is not about making the needy need us; it is about us making them to be not needy.  And then, for me at least, it is about more dialogue to get them to some kind of place of independence through education and training. I am reminded of the old saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for today; teach him to fish and you have fed him for life.” To this I add, that I must first ask him what his way of fishing might look like. That is, how might he think himself best suited to participate in community vocationally? Then I am best able to find the resources to get him “fishing,” his way.

The key is dialogue. Then, as Paul says, “in the twinkling of an eye,” the person once thought dead to society will be transformed. He or she will have dignity again. And he or she will have it in this life before that last trumpet will sound. 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

Morning, Psalm 26 and 28; Evening,  Psalm 36 and 39:
Lamentations 1:1to12; 1^st Corinthians 15:41 to 50; Matthew 11:25 to 30:

“It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.  Thus it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.  But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual.”  (1^st Corinthians 15: 44 to 46)

Paul shares with us what he presents as facts; that is, if there is a physical body then there is a spiritual body attached to it.  Really?  He says, “in fact,” our physical bodies are first and then we get the spiritual bodies or presence. Do animals have a spiritual presence as well? I don’t know.  Do all people have a spiritual presence?  I don’t know that either.

What I do know is that when I meditate quietly and alone, I feel the presence of the Other, the Holy Other! Maybe this is where mystics and contemplatives enjoy a richer spirituality than the less meditative personas.  The truth is however, we all, as humans, can receive this.  It is said of  Evelyn Underhill, Twentieth century Theologian and Mystic (June 15,1941), that her “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).

If we study Paul’s and Underhill’s teachings, any of us can make use of our spiritual bodies now.  Yes, we were given our physical bodies first. But, being Baptized into the Death and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, we also have our spiritual bodies. Both Paul and Evelyn were followers and learners of our Lord Jesus. So are we as Christians of today.  Too many Christian ascribe meditation and mysticism to Mid Eastern and Far Eastern faith traditions. We Christians have a contemplative tradition handed down to us from our Lord Jesus as He Himself often went to a quiet place to pray.

As I write these words, I myself am in a cottage, called the Pelican House, as part of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and situated on the North Carolina coast touching the Atlantic Ocean.  I can hear the waves and the wind as I am writing these words. I am here with other clergy for our annual clergy conference that we have had to cancel in the past due to Covid. These mornings and evenings while on my breaks I make time to be with my Lord and God.  I breathe deeply and slowly, and relax into the spiritual comfort of my own spirit and the Holy Spirit of my Creator and Lord.  Thank You Lord Jesus. Wherever you are, settle down into some quiet time and be still, and know yourself, as explained by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, to be a spiritual being who is also learning to be the human animal.

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

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15;
Jeremiah 44:1 to 14; 1^st Corinthians 15:30 to 41; Matthew 11:16 to 24:

“But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”  (1^st Corinthians 15:35)

I have talked about this subject not more than two days ago, last Saturday in fact.  I don’t know the answer about how the dead are raised but what I do know is that I want it. I want to be raised into eternal life. So, I’m going to re-post my words from last Saturday about our Resurrection:

[Indeed, it is for life after death that I am hoping in Christ. Except for books and movies, I have no experience or evidence of life before I was born. It is like I was dead before I was alive. It was Mark Twain who said, “I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.”

While I don’t think I fear death, I am very curious about it.  What is it like to not have to breathe, or eat, or any of the human functions we have depended on for all of our mortal lives?  Or, will some of these creature customs continue in the afterlife?  I don’t know.

What I do know is that whatever level of existence God will let me have, I want it.  This is why I am a Christian. As Paul says, being a Christian is not about this life, it is about our resurrection in Christ Jesus. This is our hope. This is why we pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus. This is why we believe the way we do.

Personally, I don’t believe that God has set a date for us to die (as many Christians do), but I do believe that God, in Christ Jesus, is always waiting for us when we do.  While death is untimely, death is not ungodly. God is present in this world and the next.

There are many human beliefs about our relationship with God. Christianity is just one and there are many versions of it.  As our Presiding Bishop says, “We are on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement.”  And, Paul again, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” To this I will add, that our Lord Jesus did teach us how to live in love of neighbor while we walk this earth. And so, I will leave what happens to me after my death in His most capable and loving hands. Thank You Lord Jesus.]

Perhaps the only note I would add for today is that I will do my best to be as compassionate and as patient as I can be with all people while I am still in this life. I want God to be happy to pick me. And maybe my practice of compassion and patience will be of some value in the next life as I see who else is there, some of whom, I might have thought shouldn’t be there. 

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

Part 1 of 2

Daily Office Readings for Sunday of Proper 24: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 148, 149 and 150; Evening, Psalms 114 and 115:
Jeremiah 29:1, and 4 to 14; Acts 16:6 to 15; Luke 10:1 to 12 and17 to 20:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.   You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” (Jeremiah 29: 11 to 14)

Several times the word “welfare” appears in this reading. Another word for welfare is Well being. However, our well being depends on our willingness to look for God.  We must call upon, that is, pray to God for God’s help.  When I read words like “gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile;” I take this to mean state of being more than geographic location.  God wants us in a prayerful state of being.  It is then that we will have “well being,” the welfare of God.

Part 2 of 2

New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Proper 24: Year B

Hebrews 5:1 to 10 and Mark 10:35 to 45:

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”  (Mark 10: 35 and 36)

Can we listen and yet, not hear?  Jesus has just finished telling the twelve about how he is going up to Jerusalem to be handed over and to be tortured and killed.  While Peter is trying to tell him it shouldn’t be, James and John are trying to secure good seats in the kingdom. Do they not know that the Way is paved with suffering?  Do we also not know this? 

But Jesus wants to be clear about their requests. He asks them, “What is it you want me to do for you?”  For me, the emphasis is on the word “You.”  Is it the plural You as in “Ya’ll.?” Or is it a self-serving, first person you, as in only James and John?.  Our Lord Jesus again refers to the Cup of Life and asks if they, (and we) are able to drink from it after our Baptism in Him? Like James and John, we too answer, “Yes.”  So, are we also ready to suffer whatever it takes?  Ponder this.

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 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 20 and 21:1 to 7; Evening, Psalms 110:1 to 5, 116 and 117;
2^nd Kings 25:8 to 12 and 22 to 26; 1^st Corinthians 15:12 to 29; Matthew 11:7 to 15:

“If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1^st Corinthians 15:19)

Indeed, it is for life after death that I am hoping in Christ. Except for books and movies, I have no experience or evidence of life before I was born. It is like I was dead before I was alive. It was Mark Twain who said, “I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it.”

While I don’t think I fear death, I am very curious about it.  What is it like to not have to breathe, or eat, or any of the human functions we have depended on for all of our mortal lives?  Or, will some of these creature customs continue in the afterlife?  I don’t know.

What I do know is that whatever level of existence God will let me have, I want it.  This is why I am a Christian. As Paul says, being a Christian is not about this life, it is about our resurrection in Christ Jesus. This is our hope. This is why we pray in the Name of our Lord Jesus. This is why we believe the way we do.

Personally, I don’t believe that God has set a date for us to die (as many Christians do), but I do believe that God, in Christ Jesus, is always waiting for us when we do.  While death is untimely, death is not ungodly. God is present in this world and the next.

There are many human beliefs about our relationship with God. Christianity is just one and there are many versions of it.  As our Presiding Bishop says, “We are on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement.”  And, Paul again, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” To this I will add, that our Lord Jesus did teach us how to live in love of neighbor while we walk this earth. And so, I will leave what happens to me after my death in His most capable and loving hands. 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 Friday of Proper 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 16 and 17; Evening, Psalm 22;
Jeremiah 38:14 to 28; 1^st Corinthians 15:1 to 11; Matthew 11:1 to 6:

“But by the grace of God I am who I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain.” (1^st Corinthians 15:10)

When, and if, we ever come to the realization that we did not bring ourselves to where we are, and we seem to be doing okay, we realize that the Grace of God has guarded us along the way. I can look back on many occasions where things could have gone very differently, and in a bad way. But it didn’t. I am thankful for being “carried” past conflict and then allowed to try again.

I just heard on a Western that I like to watch where the star says, “I don’t judge a man by where he’s been, but rather, by where he’s going.”  I have found that there are two kinds of people who were mistreated as children or young adults.  Some want to mistreat others because they were mistreated.  Others, because they were mistreated, not only won’t do it to others, but they also will not allow it to be done by anybody else if they can prevent it.  Where we have been and what we have experienced will have an impact on us now. We can do evil or we can do good. The decision we make about this determines our character and shows the caliber of our moral compass.

If we read good books, including The Good Book, especially the New Testament, and watch good movies, especially the old Westerns where the good guys always won, and if we surrounded ourselves with people of integrity, we will still need the Grace of God Almighty to make us people of righteousness.

We need to be people of meditative prayer in order to open a way for the Grace of God to enter into our souls and guide our hearts.  If we were abused as a child, or bullied as an adolescent, or wrongly convicted of a crime for which we served time in prison; none of these evil experiences have to make us an evil person. With God’s Grace we overcome our tragic histories and make promising futures with God’s help.  Nothing is impossible for God, the Creator and Sustainer of all life. And, when graced by God, we cannot let this divine intervention be in vain. Ponder this during our Sabbath time.

“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 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 18:1 to 20; Evening, Psalm 18:21 to 50;
Jeremiah 38:1 to 13; 1^st Corinthians14:26 to 33 and 37 to 40; Matthew 10:34 to 42:

“What should be done then, my friends?  When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1^st Corinthians 14: 26)

As a preacher I have been the one with a lesson and an interpretation of scripture that I have hoped will lead to a revelation. And, I pray that what I share builds up the Church. Now, I feel called to also bring a hymn. I have been studying music for some time now. I want to perform music now, but not at the expense of letting go of lessons with interpretation and the hope of revelation received from those who hear my words, or, at least the words that our Lord gives me.

As a preacher I see myself as an instrument of God who creates a space in the soul of the people sitting in the pews. Often I have had persons come to me and say “you were talking to me, or, about me.”  From my homily or sermon, they set a new course for themselves. There was nothing for me to add to what they heard. After all, the words were not mine, they were God’s.  If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent;” (1^st Corinthians 14:30). That is to say, let me be silent.

For me, being an instrument of God goes further than preaching. I play music. I play hymns. I am learning to preach in different languages, for example, the piano, the guitar and the trombone. Maybe God can also translate my musical message into a revelation for building up the Church.

I also plan to re-start my Spanish practice and to have conversations in Spanish with those near me who too often go unseen. Shame on us, me in particular. However, I also appeal to you.  Stretch yourself and see what gifts God has planted in you that you have not tapped. I, nor any one person, can do all that needs to be done. We must help each other. The Holy Spirit of God speaks to all of us. “What should be done then, my friends?  When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

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 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:1 to 24; Evening, Psalms 12, 13 and 14;
Jeremiah 37:3 to 21; 1^st Corinthians 14:13 to 25; Matthew 10:24-33

“Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.” (1^st Corinthians 14:22)

This sounds complicated. Let me see if I can simplify it.  Tongues, (or languages), are a sign for unbelievers and prophetic messages are for believers. There, much simpler.

For a classic example of unbelievers learning faith through a foreign tongue made discernible, let us recall Acts 2 where it says; “Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.  And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.  And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?  Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,  Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,  both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”  And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:5 to 12)

As this Acts account is recorded about Peter, and our 1^st Corinthians reading is from Paul, the two, although opposed on some issues, do declare the same thing about how language converts the unbeliever. Paul continues, “If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, an unbeliever or outsider who enters is reproved by all and called to account by all.” (1^st Corinthians 14: 23 and 24). The prophesying of the faithful will welcome the unbeliever into the hospitality of our love. This is what we, who believe, do. We do not reject those who do not share our faith, but rather, through our faith we show God in our midst.  

It is then that the shallowness of the unbeliever’s heart will be revealed. “After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him, declaring, ‘God is really among you.” (1^st Corinthians 14:25).

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 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 5 and 6; Evening, Psalms 10 and 11;
Jeremiah 36:27 to 37:2; 1^st Corinthians 14:1 to 12; Matthew 10:16 to 2:

“It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is being played?  And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?  So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.  There are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is without sound.  If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.  So with yourselves; since you are eager for spiritual gifts, strive to excel in them for building up the church.” (1^st Corinthians 14:7 to 12)

The “it” that Paul speaks of is the speaking of tongues nobody understands.  He likens them to musical instruments that no one plays, or plays out of tune.  They are lifeless and bring nothing to the ear of the listener or they make indiscernible noise.

I practice music on piano, guitar, a marching valve trombone and a traditional slide trombone. Few things make me happier than playing a hymn or song correctly and enjoying the fact that, “I” did that. It also is recognizable by others, and especially children.

I am convinced that our children will only have faith passed on to them if we sing to them. We must sing songs like, Jesus loves me this I know,” and “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.”  In this way they will have hope in the love of our Lord Jesus. In this way they will have hope and faith and maybe have a desire to learn how to make musical instruments come alive in order to put melody to what we have taught them.

Unfortunately the arts are the first courses of instructions to go when budgets are being cut. I argue that if we shatter their dreams, hopes and faith, math and history are meaningless. Our souls are meant to sing.

I am aware that Paul was only using musical instruments as a metaphor for indiscernible speech. I think however the same can be said of musical sounds itself. If we teach our children to sing simple melodies perhaps they have a desire to learn how to actually play the melodies.  After all, it was ourselves, parents and relatives who taught them to even speak our language in the first place. If we think so much about a baby saying, “Ma ma, or Da da; how much more should we think about our babies, after some development, singing “Jesus loves me.”  It brings me to tears of joy.

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 23: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 1, 2 and 3; Evening,  Psalms 4 and 7;
Jeremiah 36:11 to 26; 1 Corinthians 13:1 to 13; Matthew 10:5 to 15:

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.” (1^st Corinthians 13: 4 to 6)

In Paul’s 1^st Corinthians letter, verses 1 through 13 are perhaps some of the most remembered passages of the New Testament.  He begins by explaining how hollow and empty we are without love. And then he describes exactly what love is.  I also like recalling the ending of his words.  He says of faith, hope and love, love is the greatest of them all; (1^st Corinthians 13:13).

Paul says love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. He says love does not insist on its own way or is irritable or resentful. It does not celebrate wrongdoing but celebrates doing what is right and truthful. Personally, I fail with some of these. I do get irritable; I have found myself boasting from time to time, and perhaps some other short comings. I am still striving to overcome these deficiencies.

I agree with Paul’s definitions of love.  So I also agree that I fall short of it. But I am still a work in progress.  I think my strong suits are patience, not being rude and not insisting on my own way.  I have work to do in order that I may live more fully into what love is. I have heard it said that once it is identified or spoken of, we can then aim for it. Thank you Paul.

I think the real challenge is just wanting to love more.  Making love our priority makes us more godly because God is love. In full disclosure, I think sometimes even God gets a little irritated with us.  Maybe we are more godly than we think. And, since I believe that God wins, every time; I must also consider that God insists in God’s own Way.  I am happy about our God of love being this way.

As we are drawn more and more back to God, we are drawn to Love. I feel the best way to live our lives is to rid ourselves of all strife, jealousy, envy, malice and hatred. Perhaps making 1^st Corinthians 13: 1 to 13, a daily recitation, will help us get there.  Maybe these words will plant seeds of love within us and bloom. It’s worth a try.

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