onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
1^st Samuel 1:21 to 2:11; Acts 1:15 to 26; Luke 20:19 to 26:

“So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.  Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’  But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?’ They said, ‘The emperor’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s:” (Luke 20: 20 to 25)

My history sources inform me that the use of coin money predates the appearance of our Lord Jesus by about five thousand years, that is, about the year five thousand B.C. There were, and are good reasons for money. Foods and other needed products have short shelf lives. Coin money maintained its serviceability for a long time, but not forever.  Money quickly became the great tool for the establishment of the rich and the poor – the haves and the have-nots. Money worked its way into our relationship with God, albeit without God’s approval.  God does not want our money.  God wants our hearts, our love.  Love then is what we should give to God. Even metal or plastic money is not eternal; but love is.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Evelyn Underhill: Theologian and Mystic (15 JUNE 1941)

“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, and also (at the time, a startling idea) that modern psychological theories and discoveries, far from hindering or negating spirituality, can actually enhance and transform it. Evelyn Underhill’s writings proved appealing to many, resulting in a large international circle of friends and disciples, making her much in demand as a lecturer and retreat director. She died, at age 65, in London on June 15, 1941”; (Great Cloud of Witnesses for June 15).   I thank you Lord Jesus for Evelyn Underhill among us.

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;
1^st  Samuel 1:1 to 20; Acts 1:1 to 14; Luke 20:9 to 19:

“Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him; (1^st Samuel 1:17).

This opening of 1^st Samuel is important as it opens for us the beginnings of the prophet Samuel. But there is a lesson here about parental responsibility.  Hannah is distressed because she has not given birth to a child.  While her husband’s other wife has given birth to a few children.  So she prays for the ability to become pregnant. Eli, the priest also had sons but his sons did not follow the pattern of the parent, they were rude and gluttonous and disrespectful.  Eli did not hold them accountable. Such negligence will come back to bite him later.

While Hannah is devoted to God in her inmost self, the priest, Eli, doesn’t know her well enough to see that she is a pious woman. He assumes the worst, and he is wrong. To his credit however, when he sees his mistake, he works with God to grant her petition.

Our Church today is wrong whenever it takes part in judging people.  We forget that we, the Church, are not called to judge, we are called to love, and to love unconditionally.

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Part 1 of 2

Daily Office Readings for Sunday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 93 and 96; Evening,  Psalm 34;
Ecclesiasticus 46:11 to 20; Revelation 15:1 to 8; Matthew 18:1 to 14:

“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:”  (Matthew 18:2 and 3).

I saw a news article yesterday where toddlers and young children naturally shared with one another.  Somehow, however, we grow out of this loving attitude and become self-serving. Our Lord Jesus explains that unless we regain our God given position of being considerate of others we will not reach the paradise of heaven.  We must re –learn the art of “being” the other, no matter who the other is.  In this way we will never say that there is “no room in the inn.” or yell, “Crucify Him.”

Part 2 of 2

New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 6: Year B

2^nd Corinthians 5:6 to 17 and Mark 4:26-34

“With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.” (Mark 4: 33 and 34)

Jesus has just given two examples of what the kingdom of God is like.  He told them the kingdom of God is like great growth, be it like seed planted and grows to fullness.  And, specifically like that of the mustard seed which starts out small but then becomes the home of living creatures different than itself. 

He speaks to them, and to us, in parables only as we are able to hear it.  The kingdom of God is definitely growing and will become the dominant way of loving life here on earth as it is in heaven. God does not have a plan B.  We have choices. We can fight the growth of love that God has planted in us, as if we are some kind of weed or fungus. Or, we can be co-creators with God in bringing about God’s plan.  In the end however, God wins!  

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;
Ecclesiasticus 46:1 to 10; 2^nd Corinthians 13:1 to14; Luke 20:1 to 8:

“Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever:” (Last verse of Psalm 23).

I think Psalm23 is the most famous Psalm of all. Many people know it by heart, including me.  For this evening we also have Psalm 27.  There is a related verse in it. It reads, “One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life:” (from Psalm 27). There is a difference here. Psalm 23 proclaims “for ever,” whereas Psalm 27 asks for as long as the Psalmist lives.

I know it sounds petty but my requests are eternal requests.  I don’t know what the eternal life is like.  Do we eat food in the next life? Do we even get hungry?  Do we breathe in the next life? Do we need air?   I am of this earth and I don’t know any other way to exist. O God I need you to help me understand.  I want to dwell in your house regardless of what that existence is like. But I am afraid. I need your help and your counsel. Or else I am not sure I will be able to handle eternal life which I so desperately want.

“Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” Your face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure. You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation:” (Verses from Psalm 27). This is my prayer as well.

I truly feel that God is the God of my salvation.  I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, for whatever that living is like. God’s ears hears my tears. And I am so thankful.  I also remind myself that God is the God of loving surprises. We must expect the unexpected.

Pray with me if you will: “Surely God’s goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and with God’s guidance, we will dwell in comfort and joy in the house of the Lord for ever:”  Thank You Lord Jesus.

 Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69; Evening,  Psalm 73;
Ecclesiasticus  45:6 to 16; 2^nd Corinthians 12:11 to 21; Luke 19:41 to 48:

“As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes:” (Luke 19: 41 and 42).

We have a slightly different take on Jesus’ emotions from the Gospel of Matthew as he assessed Jerusalem; He says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23: 37) 

But even from our Luke version we learn that it is not so much the place, (Jerusalem), but the recognition of the events that make for peace. I borrow from Abraham Joshua Heschel in his book “Sabbath,” where he writes, “The Bible is more concerned with time than with space. It sees the world in the dimension of time. It pays more attention to generations, to events, than to countries, to things; it is more concerned with history than with geography:” (pages 6 and 7).

In February of 2018 I visited Israel for 10 days.  Our tour started in the Galilee area of Israel and concluded with Jerusalem.  I, personally, was more impressed with the events of Jesus’ baptism, healings, sermon of the Mount, changing water into wine, walking on the water, Transfiguration, the feeding of the multitude with only a few fish and loaves, his discussions with Pharisees and the woman at the well, and many other events that Jesus did in Galilee, rather than the what we did to him in Jerusalem; that is, killing him.  The whole earth is the holy land because God made the whole earth.

For me, in the Bible and in our lives today, first and foremost is the “What;” then, the “why.”   Of course then there is the “Who.” And, lastly, the “where,” becomes obvious. 

I have found that this formula works today. If we first ask what needs to be done, and then why it needs to be done, and then who should do it, we are well on our way to resolution.  The “where” will become obvious but in the end, it makes no difference.  Resolution happens where the problem is, whether its voter suppression, cyber attracts, a viral outbreak, or whatever. We must ask what the problem is, why we need to resolve it, and who should lead the work with God’s help. But first, let us remember our sacred time given to us by God.

For this evening and tomorrow day my friends; Shabbat Shalom.

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 70 and  71; Evening,  Psalm 74;
Ecclesiasticus 44:19 to 45:5; 2^nd Corinthians 12:1 to10; Luke 19:28 to 40:

“And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, till I make known your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come:” (words from Psalm 71).

I went to the state DMV a few weeks ago to renew my driver’s license. The DMV clerk asked me to take the standard vision test and she looked at me and gave me the description of 6 feet tall, brown eyes and black hair.  Two weeks later I went back for my “Real ID Driver’s license and another clerk looked at me and gave me the description of 6 feet tall, brown eyes and gray hair.  Perhaps this truly is my “Real ID.”  I am in my seventies now.  I don’t deny it. And yes, my hair is mostly gray now. 

God has invested a lot in me all these years. And I pray, “O God, do not forsake me, till I make known your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come:” This is in part why I write this blog.  I want people to know about God and God’s loving care for all of us, gray haired or no haired.

I practice music and much of my music is centered on hymns and spiritual songs.  My favorite is “Praise to the Lord,” it is Hymn number 390 in the 1980 Hymnal of the Episcopal Church. But I have heard it from different hymnals from different Churches.  The third verse says in part, “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, when with His love doth befriend thee.” 

I am of the English tongue. It is who I am. There is no denying it. Some people try to express who or what they are based their skin color or ethnic ancestry. Not me. I am the language I speak. I don’t know how to even express it any other way. I am who I am. I love people of all languages.  I just happen to be an English speaker.

To take it to the next level, beyond the language I speak, I also sing in the same language. These are the hymns and songs of faith that I pass on to children and their children after them so that they too might have faith. Our reading from Psalm 71 continues, “Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel: (Words from Psalm 71). The Psalmist continues from his soul, “My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, and so will my soul, which you have redeemed: (words from Psalm 71).

I just talked about the importance of our souls yesterday. You might want to review it. Whether we are aware of it or not, our souls long for God’s salvation.  Beloved of the Lord, we must put our hope and trust in God’s Word and God’s guidance in our everyday lives, gray haired or no haired.

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73 to 96;
Deuteronomy 31:30 to 32:14; 2^nd Corinthians 11:21b to 33; Luke 19:11 to 27:

 “My soul has longed for your salvation; I have put my hope in your word:” (Psalm 119:81)

I understand that Psalm 119 is patterned after the Hebrew alphabet with each alphabet having eight verses. From the letter Kaph, and in our verse 81, we have the above words, words of hope for our salvation. 

We have souls.  For far too many of us we are not in touch with our souls.  Our souls are our connection with God. It is within our souls that we have hope.

Hope, as Paul explains, is not something seen, but rather, unseen, God’s unrevealed plan for us is coming into being in spite of ourselves.  And by God’s plan, we are clueless. We can never see it coming.  Paul says, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience:” (Romans 8:24 and 25).  So we are driving blind.  We trust in God to work God’s magic. The Isralites did not see the sea parting for their escape from the oncoming Egyptians. No one saw, or expected God almighty to come to us as an infant.  God always surprises us, but at the same time, fulfills our hopes in ways we don’t see coming.

In my quiet moments I come into close contact with the presence of God. It is the almost, but not yet.  It is Peter, James and John at the transfiguration. It is about feeling the presence of the Almighty, the Creator of all that is, and yet, concerned about humanity, about you and me.

There really is hope for all of us.  God has implanted a soul in each of us. We are special among living creatures.  We need to be more attentive to the nudging we get from God in our daily lives. God wants good for each of us.  God wants it for us more than we want it for ourselves. Yes we hope for what is not seen and yet desired.  This too is the action of our God given souls.  I believe the hope that is in us is part of the Image of God who is the God of hope. Paul prays for us in saying, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit:” (Romans 15:13).

Whether we are aware of it or not, our souls long for God’s salvation.  My beloved of the Lord, we must put our hope and trust in God’s Word and God’s guidance in our everyday lives.

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening, Psalm 68:
Deuteronomy 30:11 to 20; 2^nd Corinthians 11:1 to 21; Luke 19:1 to 10:

“Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” (Luke 19:8)

Meeting Jesus changed Zacchaeus in good ways. But this Jesus experience requires us to look deeper into what’s going on.  Zacchaeus is the only tax collector in the Bible referred to as a “chief” tax collector.  Such a title would even further remove him from the house of Israel.

Zacchaeus says that, “if,” he has defrauded anyone he would pay it back four times as much.  This was the requirement of the Law of Moses, the upholders of which, have rejected Zacchaeus from their society.  But Zacchaeus remembers and respects the tradition from which he came.  

From pondering this statement it is quite possible that Zacchaeus has not knowingly cheated anyone. He limited his authority to only what was required. We can’t assume that people in positions of authority are evil.  Remember, our Lord Jesus was very deliberate when he stopped under that sycamore tree and looked up at Zacchaeus and invited himself to his home.  People are not always who we think they are, but they are always who Jesus knows them to be. And that includes you.

Regardless of how the temple authorities and the people have labeled Zacchaeus, our Lord Jesus has circumvented their authority and positioned Zacchaeus in a place of honor – a place of honor that predates the Law and its often misguided interpretations. “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham: (Luke 19:9). Yes, a son to Abraham. This is a place of real honor. Jesus says something that might get past an inattentive reader. He says “salvation has come to this house.”  Yes Lord, because you are the salvation of the world and you are in his house.

Lastly Jesus says, “For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost:’(Luke 19:10). I think some of us are lost. But I think, like Zacchaeus, some of us are thrown away. Being thrown away also makes us lost, but let us take a page from Zacchaeus’ playbook.  Even if we are rejected from our community of faith, let us remember the practices of prayer and our baptismal covenant and the commandment of loving others anyway.  Zacchaeus remembered the Law of his tradition even though he was rejected by them. Bless Zacchaeus. Bless the lost of today. Our Lord Jesus has come to seek you out.

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;
Deuteronomy 30:1 to 10; 2^nd  Corinthians 10:1 to 18; Luke 18:31 to 43:

“As he approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening.  They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’  Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’  Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’  Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him,  ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’  Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.” (Luke 18:35 to 43)

Jesus had just finished telling the twelve about what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem but they couldn’t see it.  This blind man asked what was happening and when he heard that it was Jesus, saw very clearly what was good for him to do regardless of the pushback from the crowd.

The crowd tried to hold him back but he was persistent. “Have mercy on me.”  Often we are denied the call of our faith through pressure from our friends, (social media, virtual or face to face). We must learn about what is good for us. We must see clearly even before we are given our moral sight back.

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”  What would you ask our Lord Jesus for if given the one opportunity?  The blind man in our passage for today just wants to be back where he was when he could see and know the difference between good and bad. He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.

Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you. Again, his cure was already in him just as ours is already in us, our faith. We must take our faith to the living Jesus who is waiting to do for us whatever we want. This blind man did and, “Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God.”  I wish we had his name. Are you following our Lord Jesus? Do we have your name?

Let us live in order that we might love, rather than just live to live, and let us listen to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Part 1 of 2

Daily Office Readings for Sunday of Proper 5: Year 1      

Morning, Psalms 24 and 29; Evening, Psalms 8 and 84:
Deuteronomy  29:16 to 29; Revelation 12:1 to 12; Matthew 15:29 to 39:

“Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds:” (Matthew 15:35 and 36).

There are two things here that I ponder about. First, the number seven is crucial. It is the number of those whom were recorded to have been called, and who accepted the call to follow our Lord Jesus; (Jesus’ called 7 of the 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). Also, our seven days of the week and the seven notes in an octave of music. There is something to this seven business. Second, it is always good to note the liturgical process of Jesus taking the food, blessing the food, dividing up the food and then giving the food to the people.  This is the Take, Bless, Brake and Give liturgy of God. Amen.

Part 2 of 2

New Testament Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 5: Year B

2^nd  Corinthians 4:13 to 5:1; and Mark 3:20 to 35:

“The crowd came together again, so that Jesus and his disciples could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” (Mark 3: 20 and 21)

When I was fulltime rector of St Paul’s I used to dread pot luck coffee hours.  Inevitably some parishioners would gather at my office door to see me after the service such that I could not go and partake of the good food that folks brought from their homes or the local restaurants. After a while however, some would notice this and fix me a dish of the foods that they knew I liked and save it for me. That was wonderful.  I could see anybody by appointment at anytime during the week, but some people would wait until they came to Church on Sunday, especially if food was there, and then take that opportunity to share their concerns. But they are my family so, so be it.

Some who were listening to Jesus were concerned about their status with Jesus fully believing Him to be the Son of God. Jesus tells them, and us, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother:” (Mark 3:35). You who believe are members of the family of our Lord Jesus.  Jesus is not rejecting his earthly family. No, instead, he is expanding his family, his spiritual family. Our family relationship with Jesus is spiritual.  I have heard it said that blood is thicker than water.  The meaning being that family blood kinship is closer than friends and neighbors. The Spirit of God however, is thicker and much stronger than even blood kin.  Besides this, through the cup of Christ and his blood shared with us, we become the spiritual blood kin to our Lord Jesus and thereby children of God.  Thank you Lord Jesus.

Let us live to love, more than just love to live, listening to what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John