onewhoponders

Readings for Thanksgiving Day: Year B

Joel 2:21 to 27; Psalm 126; 1^st  Timothy 2:1 to 7; Matthew 6:25 to 33:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6: 31 to 33 NRSV)

While some other translations use the word “anxious” to describe the emotion around not having, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible uses the word worry. I think it fits with regard to the level of concern we devote to what we don’t have. We forget about what we do have and also we forget to give thanks for what we have.

I believe everyday should be a day of Thanksgiving. For everyday is a gift. Maybe the only thing worth worrying about is a shortage of days. But right living will keep us prepared for the Day that our Lord receives us into that eternal kingdom, that place of forever peace.  There will be no worries there.

Our Lord Jesus says that worrying is what the Gentiles do.  Gentiles mean Nations, or people other than Israelites.  For us who are on the Christian path of the God movement, the Gentiles mean the rest of the world and their self-serving pursuits.  It could be food, clothing, cars, houses, phones, electronics, fame, or just plain wealth.  All of these are temporal.  I once told someone that the only value gold has is that others lust after it.  If nobody wanted it, it would have no value.

Our eternal souls are valued by God.  God wants us to be among the heavenly court when we transition from this place.  While we are here, God is aware of both our deeds and needs.  And, according to our Lord Jesus, God will make sure we have what we need. And for God’s love and attention we ought to be truly thankful.

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 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening, Psalm 128, 129 and 130;
Obadiah 15 to 21; 1^st Peter 2:1 to 10; Matthew 19:23 to 30:

“Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1^st Peter 2:4 and 5)

I don’t agree with all of Peter’s thinking but the words from this passage I really like.  We are living spiritual stones. Peter shows a difference between those of us who believe in God and God’s love as made manifest through our Lord Jesus, and those who don’t. The latter tend to lose sight of the sacredness of human life.  As believers we are chosen and precious in God’s sight. It seems the more we reflect and ponder about the mystery and majesty of God, and being thankful for it, the more we are rejected by the ever diminishing norms of our mortal society.

As I write this we are reeling from yet another senseless mass killing. This time it took place at a Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Why? Why do people do evil deeds?  What didn’t happen in such a person’s life that would have made him be a better person?  However, let me say that bad things happening to a person, or good things not happening, is no excuse for bad behavior.

Time spent in prayer and giving Thanks to God for the fact that we exist, and the lives of those we love, will go up as spiritual sacrifices to God and are acceptable through our Savior Jesus Christ. This Thanksgiving, those of us who believe in the love of God and live a life of love, have so much to be thankful for. So do those who don’t believe but they don’t know it.

 I am so sorry for the untimely deaths and lives taken through evil acts.  My heart and prayers go out to the families and loved ones who are grieved by sinful acts. All of us have a responsibility to watch each other.  There is no one out there who is not our business. The path to a holy priesthood is paved through accountability. This accountability is true for us and for our neighbors. We are in fact our brother’s and sister’s keeper. We must hold ourselves in prayer asking God for hints at how we can improve the way we live together and value life, all life. 

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 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