onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Advent Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:49 to 72; Evening, Psalm 49;

Zechariah 3:1 to 10; Revelation 4:1 to 8; Matthew 24:45 to 51:

“Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.”  (Matthew 24: 45 – 47)

(Edited and republished from December 18, 2019)

I think the first thing to do is to clarify the word slave, or in the Biblical Greek, “δοῦλος.”   In English it is pronounced “Dulas” and it means servant as well as slave. Personally, I prefer the term servant. 

So now let’s go back and listen to what is being asked. “Who is the faithful and wise servant?” Hmm, makes me ponder.  Can we find wisdom and servitude in the same person?  Sometimes we “wise” our way right out of serving anybody, including God.  Once, when I was young, and not very bright at all, I worked at a major hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.  I saw a coworker filling an ice chest.  I had just worked my way up to a less physical requirement at the hospital and I arrogantly lied to that young man saying, “I wouldn’t do that for anybody.”  To which he quickly responded, “Would you do it for yourself?”  As you can see, I never forgot that important lesson. I don’t like sharing these details about myself but it helps me to see how far I have come.  I still have a long way to go.

In our Matthew passage we are reminded that the reward for hard work is more hard work.  When the faithful servant does all that is expected, that servant is given even greater responsibility.  But I think the wisdom lies in the training of one’s self to enjoy holding things together.  We too can learn to enjoy making sure that people receive their allowance of food, or education, or transportation, or medication, or anything they need at the proper time.  The good news is that while we are enjoying filling the ice chest, we will be blessed when our Lord Jesus arrives. “Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.”

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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 3^rd Week in Advent Year 2

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalm 47 and 48;  Zechariah 2:1 to 13; Revelation 3:14 to 22; Matthew 24:32 to 44

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.  To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3: 20 – 22)

(Edited and republished from Tuesday December 17, 2019)

This picture of Jesus knocking at a door is known in the Christian world, that of our Lord Jesus knocking at our door.  There are many paintings of it. It is a reminder that it is our Lord Jesus who is seeking us well before we even thought about trying to find him.  Many people will say after they have turned their lives around for the better that they “found Jesus.”  It would be more correct to say that they finally began to follow Jesus.

No human salesperson knocks on your door, or calls you on the phone, or advertizes on your computer for your complete happiness.  They want your money.  They are in it for themselves. Many will say that quality or your safety is their first priority. However, if they didn’t make a profit they wouldn’t have a business at all. So profit is really their first priority.  

Our Lord Jesus is truly looking for you for your benefit. He will never abandon you when life challenges you.  He may not make whatever is happening to you go away but he will stay with you through it.  And it may be that whatever hell you are going through will end this life, and if so, our Lord Jesus will accompany you and continue to lead you on the other side. We must never give up.

This is what it means to conquer.  And “To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 41 and  52; Evening, Psalm 44;  Zechariah,  1:7 to 17; Revelation 3:7 to13; Matthew 24:15 to 31

“Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.  I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.  Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:10 – 13)

(Edited and republished from December 16, 2019)

Let us remember that the Book of Revelation is a Revelation from the Risen Jesus Christ to his apostle John.  This Revelation speaks of a patient endurance that will keep us from the hour of trial and that we will live in a New Jerusalem. 

I am reminded that in Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “And do not bring us to the time of trial;” (Luke 11:4).  I once got a traffic ticket for running a stop sign, (I earned it), but through many apologies, agreeing to attend a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) safety course, and a friend in the court system, I was excused.  My friend told me that my name is no longer on the docket.  Full disclosure, I went on the appointed day anyway only to see that in fact my name was never called.  It is nice to have someone who can excuse you from judgment. 

Our apologies are our repentance, our church groups  are our DMV safety courses and Jesus is our friend who removes our names from the docket and “keeps us from the hour of trial.”  However, we must keep the lesson of patient endurance in order for this to happen. Patient endurance is something we can achieve and become pillars in the temple of God. This is just another way of saying joyful waiting.  Believe me, there is joy in knowing you have been “excused” from judgment.

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

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of the 3^rd Week of Advent: Year C

Zephaniah 3:14 to 20; Philippians 4:4 to 7; Luke 3:7 to 18:

“John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” (Luke 3: 7 and 8)

While John the Baptist is not the most eloquent of coastal hosts, he does get to the point of racial or genetic identity being of no consequence as far as God is concerned.  It means nothing to God. God made all humanity with no intention of making one genetic code superior to another. There is no such thing as race as for as God is concerned. Race is a human made construct used to discriminate against those of us who look different, sound different, or have different traditions and customs.  But we are all God’s people and loved by God equally. Beyond ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation does not concern God as long as relationships are consensual and loving.

We humans, as part of our fear of otherness, have since the beginning of recorded history, discriminated against any people or lifestyle different than our own. We fail to realize that it takes many different kinds of musical instruments to complete an orchestra. The range and sound of each brings its own character into play for a beautiful communal sound. The one tone that we all have regardless of our different makeup is middle “C,” Christ. Christ is made manifest in many ways but always gracious and glorious, bringing orchestral beauty to the whole of the community. When are we going to stop fearing others and start truly accepting others, others different than ourselves? God is able to bring children to Christ from rocks, and that really rocks.

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 30 and 32; Evening, Psalm 42 and 43;
Haggai 2:1 to 9; Revelation 3:1 to 6; Matthew 24:1 to 14:

“And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Mathew 24:12 to 14)

Lawlessness has surely made its presence known today with the U. S. Capital insurrection and now the smash and grabbing at retail stores; even smash and grabbing at hardware stores in order to get the tools needed for smashing and grabbing at high end retail stores. This is so sad.

The good news is that if we endure to the end, we will be saved in a way we never imagined! God is so good and very loyal to those of us who endure to the end. We just need to keep holding on for as long as it takes.  The faithless will not understand and will harass us. But we are to keep the faith no matter what. In addition to keeping our faith, we must also show disapproval of bad actors. We can’t condone bad and sinful behavior by individuals, groups, or nations. 

The world is also fighting Covid and there is concern around major countries wanting to take over other countries. There are two things we should watch for; first, is the anarchy that takes place; and second, is the coming of its end.  These are sad times all over the face of the earth. But good news is coming. “And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations;” and then the end of this sadness will come. The good news may not be cosmic. It may be people of faith saying no to hostility of all kinds, and at the same time, doing what is necessary to end or substantially reduce the effects of Covid.

We never know how God will act in our midst. The only thing we can be sure of is that God will act, and God will act in bold and loving ways. All we have to do is hold on while following God’s lead by also acting in bold and loving ways.

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

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 2^nd Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;

 Haggai 1:1 to 15; Revelation 2:18 to 29; Matthew 23:27 to 39:

(Edited and republished from December 13, 2019)

“Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, saying, I am with you, says the Lord.  And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.” (Haggai 1:13 and 14)

Today it still takes the Spirit of God to work in people in order that they might honor their houses of worship.  All places of human assembly require due vigilance in order that they are properly maintained.  The Church is the sure sign of how important God is in the lives of the community.

I have read stories where people in some neighborhoods will occasionally help out with various projects in and around a Church even when they themselves do not attend it. Often it is because they recognize the need for the food pantries or social events that lift the self esteem of people and they want to be a part of it.   

This care for houses of worship is God’s doing.  And “unless the Lord builds the house, the builders’ labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).  We are moved then by the hand of God to support the efforts of those who want to respect and honor God.  This power of God is not concerned with denomination or a particular faith.  It is concerned with people admitting that God exist and that God is good,  (All the time).

King Darius was not of the Hebrew people, he was Persian. But he went to great lengths to ensure the house of God was properly rebuilt.  So too, in all of our neighborhoods, any of us can, and should, support godly works as we recognize them to be such. None of us can claim God for ourselves only.  God only is God and loves ALL people.  As long as the faith tradition is not hostile or preaching hate but rather doing good works in the community, we should listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us in terms of what they might need. And then do it as we are able. 

“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 the second week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 37:19 to 42;

Amos 9:1 to 10; Revelation 2:8 to 17; Matthew 23:13 to 26:

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup,so that the outside also may become clean.” (Matthew 23:25 – 26)

(Edited and republished from December 12, 2019)

In this session of warnings Jesus tells those of us, who will listen, that if we clean the inside of our selves the outside will become clean as well.

What makes itself manifest on the outside, particularly in behavior and actions, starts in the heart and mind of the person.  As I occasionally conduct pre-marital counseling, I have the engaged couple raise many questions about the other.  I don’t want to know the results that they come up with (unless of course the wedding is off).  I just want to know that they have addressed the issues. So I have them to have conversations around money and what it means; around education; around concerns of faith (particularly if they are of different faith backgrounds), around children (natural or adopted). I have them discuss concerns of sex and intimacy; and lately I ask about social media and each other’s friends in general.  Sometime I think I’m unconsciously trying to get them to rethink getting married at all.

The reality is, I am trying to get them to see what’s inside of the other. Is the other’s cup clean on the inside? Is your cup clean on the inside?  This question goes further than just marriage proposals.  We need to ponder these questions with all whom we hold close, family, business, Church, fraternity, sorority or whatever. We need to take it home and ask ourselves these types of questions.  But there is hope.  Our Lord Jesus says that if we clean the inside of our cup the outside will be clean as well.

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 Week 2 of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 38; Evening,  Psalm 119:25 to 48;

Amos 8:1 to 14; Revelation 1:17 to 2:7; Matthew 23:1 to 12

(Edited and republished from December 11, 2019)

“All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

After pondering on these words of Matthew for a while I get the sense that exaltation is the goal for both, it’s just two different routes to being exalted. While we are kind of led to the latter, that is, to humble ourselves now in order to be exalted later (in the next life), it seems to me that we are being humble for the reward of being exalted.  That doesn’t work for me. 

I think if I train myself to really get into and be comfortable with humility I will never want or desire exaltation.  I’ve always told my congregation that being humble can be a fleeting thing.  Once you boast about your humility, it’s gone. 

I have had lapses in humility.  I played guitar with another guitarist and when he was thanked for coming and playing and I was not I brought it to the attention of the host. Shame on me.  It was after that incident that I coined the phrase “the humility of invisibility.”  Unfortunately humility was not my comfort zone. But I want it to be.  So I have put into practice the words of C.S. Lewis who said, “Humility is not so much about thinking less of yourself, but rather, thinking of yourself less.”

So now I ponder about all the times I was not seen or remembered, while at the same time I was very present, at various events. I am learning to enjoy “the humility of invisibility,” and not so that I might be exalted later, but just for the inherent quiet and unassuming nature of 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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 2^nd Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening,  Psalms 36 and 39;
Amos 7:10 to 17; Revelation 1:9 to 16; Matthew 22:34 to 46:

“Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” (Amos 7: 14 and 15)

Amos reminds me of me. He was a blue collar preacher. He was dedicated to a life of sycamore trees and sheep.  He was probably poor even by that day’s standard of wealth. But like John the Baptist and others, he was an empty cup that God could use, even though it required him to traverse to Israel.

I retired from the Marine Corps and followed my then priest’s instruction to inquire if God has a call on my life. God did. And I am so thankful. While Amos was a dresser of sycamore trees and a herdsman, I was an aircraft maintenance manager for East coast war planes, fixed and rotor wing. I was, and am, so blue collar, like Amos. But God has made use of my emptiness.

 As you read this blog, please understand, God is not done with you. It matters not if you are blue collar, a business professional, or health care professional like Luke from whom we have a Gospel report; if you are open to God and not full of yourself, God wants to partner with you for holy work. There is plenty of work yet to be done. It is the Lord’s Work; and therefore, it is holy work. Are you in? 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 Monday of the Second Week of Advent: Year 2

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

Amos 7:1 to 9; Revelation 1:1 to 8; Matthew 22:23 to 33:

(Edited and republished from December 9, 2019)

“This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb-line.’ Then the Lord said, ‘See, I am setting a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by.” (Amos 7:7 – 8)

This plumb-line that the lord is setting in the midst of us is the perfect upright angle with which we are to judge our own moral character.  A friend of mine once said to a congregation that it was hard for him to achieve something he has not seen.  But once he as seen someone do and be the better person, then, he too could aim for that, knowing it is possible.

We don’t all have the same level of good judgment at the same time. But I believe the ability to make better and better decisions is an evolving skill.  I believe patience with our understanding helps us to be better decision makers.  We must first want to do the right thing; the right thing has to be more important than “my” thing.  Getting even is not the right thing and it is against the Lord’s plumb-line; it clearly shows us to be off kilter.  Also, we should not try to make ourselves look good by pointing out the faults of others.  It would be better to point out how we have challenges that we are aware of and are working on, than to point to the short comings of others. 

Our Lord Jesus is the perfect Plumb-line.  We can’t be Him but we can continue to work towards perfection. In trying to perfect our character we become that plumb-line for someone else to emulate. Remember however, we are not doing it to be copied (even though that would make the world a better place).  We are working towards that never ending road to perfection from which we will not regress or return. We will just keep comparing ourselves to His Perfection, that Plumb-line, that some may not know even exist.

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