onewhoponders

Readings for John Wycliffe Priest and Prophetic Witness, 1384

 Sirach 43:26-33   Psalm 33:4-11 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 4:13-20

“And these are the ones sown on the good soil: they hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:20)

This is a different Gospel from yesterday but the same words about the good soil.  It just so happens that this is the Gospel reading for John Wycliffe.  And, for the record he did clear his mind for the purpose of receiving divine enlightenment as we all can to make us good soil.   “Born in Yorkshire, England, around 1330, Wycliffe was educated at Oxford. Although he served as a parish priest, he spent most of his vocation teaching theology and philosophy at Oxford and was celebrated for his academic achievements. (Great Cloud of Witnesses for October 30)

I think I too share much of Wycliffe’s theological and church ideas. “A number of Wycliffe’s radical ideas got worked out in the centuries that followed, as the movement toward reformation gained momentum. Wycliffe believed that believers could have a direct, unmediated relationship with God, not requiring the intervention of the Church or its priesthood.  (Great Cloud of Witnesses for October 30) I preach this all the time. I tell my parishioners that when I tell them that God wants to talk with them, my job is done.  They can go direct.

Like Holy Water, water that has been blessed, it contains the essence of the Holy Spirit. So it is also with the Sacraments in Consubstantiation. “The tables turned dramatically when Wycliffe questioned the Eucharistic doctrine of transubstantiation. He believed that the underlying philosophy was problematic and that the popular piety flowing from it led inevitably to superstitious behaviors. He was condemned for his Eucharistic views in 1381. Although Wycliffe had nothing to do with inciting the Peasants’ Revolt of the same year, he was an easy target for blame.  He retired, left Oxford, and died three years later in Leicestershire. (Great Cloud of Witnesses for October 30)  I also like the Trinitarian presence of the burning bush, (Exodus 3) it was bush, it was fire and it was voice. It never stopped being any of the 3 but were all present. This is another example of Consubstantiation, God’s Way of being with us regardless of the so called laws of physics.

“Later reformers John Hus (July 6) and Martin Luther (February 18) acknowledged their debt to Wycliffe.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for October 30)

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 25 Year 1

AM Psalm 45; PM Psalm 47, 48 Ezra 5:1-17; Rev. 4:1-11; Matt. 13:1-9

“Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen!’” (Matthew 13:8 – 9)

Jesus speaks of “good soil.”  He is traveling through the land of Galilee that starts in chapter 11.  This is an agricultural area and the people would understand the importance of good soil.  Just prior to this lesson, Jesus gives a sad report about the surrounding towns and cities.  However, he seems to give the rural people hope about what they should appreciate in terms of receiving and acting on the Good News.

The good soil metaphor implies a preparedness we should attain to in order to grow the fruit God is looking for.  We know that this metaphorical fruit is made manifests in acts of love, mercy, kindness, and charity.  If we cultivate our minds we can both receive and act on the teachings of Jesus. This can only happen if we strongly desire it.  If we don’t want to be nice, or friendly or welcoming, it will never happen.

So the key to having our minds become good soil is to want it. This is a personal choice.  Either we want to be loving or we don’t.  Jesus appeals to the softer side of what God has planted in us.  Jesus does not want us to have minds that, like the hard path, will not let the seeds of love germinate.  He does not want us to have a mind that gets bogged down with the clutter of life like the seed growing up in the midst thorns, perhaps like the cities he condemned, and will not let his teachings develop. If we are serious about being Christians, we need to open our minds and truly want to receive Jesus’ teachings.  We can obtain this if we really want to.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 25 Year 1

AM Psalm 41, 52; PM Psalm 44 Zech. 1:7-17; Rev. 1:4-20; Matt. 12:43-50

“And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”” (Matthew 12:49 – 50)

I really love my biological family.  I am particularly close to my brother and all my children, biological or not.  However, I have found myself most comfortable with those who share my trust in Jesus and worship with me in the Christian tradition with which I have become most contented.

I share all kinds of relationships.  I have vocational relationships in the priesthood. As Episcopal Priests we do share the same trust in Jesus.  We do share the same sense of responsibility for the spiritual welfare of parishioners.  Because of our separate parishes and actual service times that happen at the same time, we don’t share work.  It is a wonderful time whenever we can get together however. I just recently returned from a clergy conference. It was wonderful.

There are many and various vocations in which people bond with one another.  The faith of persons however, seems to make less and less difference in their relationships.  This may be a good thing in light of today’s polarization around issues of religious beliefs or even having a religious belief.

I know that for me I am way more comfortable with people who accept Jesus as God’s example of inclusive love for all people.  I have no qualms about people who believe differently than I do but they do not share the intimacy enjoyed by my spiritual family.  It is wonderful to be in the presence of a love that does not judge but loves unconditionally. What do you believe?  And, who are the people closest to you who share that belief with you?

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday of Proper 25 Year C

Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65  2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18  Luke 18:9-14

“The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.”  (Luke 18: 11)\

I think we all ought to thank God all the time.  I believe in saying “Thank You Jesus” as often as I realize something good has just happened to me.  I Thank Jesus that I have only two Commandments rather than the 613 from the Hebrew Testament, or even 10, as in the Ten Commandments.  Two is much easier.

Jesus’ two Commandments however require me to love God with all that I am and to love my neighbor as myself.  One does not love neighbor as self and then be thankful that he is not his neighbor. I ponder further that it is not so much that one is not his neighbor, but that he has, and exercises, a pious discipline in his life that his neighbor has so far, not learned.

This story like the one about Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38 – 42), makes us realize that we are both /and; and not either/or.  So let’s look at each man and see the good in each.

The Tax collector of antiquity is a victim.  He, in many cases, is a man of low standing in the community even before he’s made a tax collector. Often he is fatherless and handed over to the local Roman authorities for the purpose of collecting the tax.  While it is not his choice, he is hated by his native Israelite brethren as a participant and collaborator with Rome against his own people.

The Pharisee, afforded opportunity beyond his own doing, lives a religious life, keeping the tithe, fasting, praying, and yes, paying the tax.  We need people like the Pharisee still.  We need people who pray, who set aside money to take care of the needy either in charitable giving to the Church, and/or other charitable organizations as well as paying taxes.  We should not look down on the discipline of the Pharisee.  But we must be cautioned about his holier- than- thou attitude regarding his neighbor.

These men teach two very important lessons. First, we should be thankful for what we are able to do in worship to God without looking down on those who either cannot, or have as yet, not been able to reach our level of discipline. And second, we all need to recognize our own short-comings and ask God for mercy and forgiveness where necessary.  And this mercy is necessary somewhere in all of us. We are both/and of these two men; not either/or.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Readings for Alfred the Great: King of the West Saxons  (26 October 899)

Psalm 21:1-7 Wisdom 6:1-3,9-12,24-25 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 Luke 6:43-49

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit;  or each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.”  (Luke 6:43 – 45)

The Gospel saying is true.  We tell the trees by the fruit they bear.  King Alfred developed and maintained his compassion for his people even after surviving the deaths of his dad and his brothers with their time as king.  “Alfred, alone of all English rulers, has been called “the Great,” because of his courage and Christian virtues. Born in 849 at Wantage, Berkshire, the youngest of five sons of King Aethelwulf, Alfred spent his life in a time of “battle, murder, and sudden death” during the Viking invasions and settlement in Britain.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for 26 October)

Alfred was a rough evangelizer. “In heroic battles and by stratagems against the Danes, Alfred halted the tide of their invasion and secured control of the southern, and part of the midland, regions of England for the English. After a decisive victory in 878 at Edington over the Danish leader Guthrum, he persuaded his foe to accept baptism.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for 26 October)

Alfred prayed and depended on God for direction. “A man of deep piety, Alfred’s leadership in battle and administration was grounded by his faith. His biographer Asser wrote of his commitment to a monastic influenced life of prayer, “He learned the daily course, that is, the celebrations of the Hours, and after that certain psalms and many prayers, gathered together in one book for the sake of prayer, which he carried around with him everywhere on his person by day and night, just as we have seen, inseparable from himself, in all of the doings of this present life.”” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for 26 October) Keeping selected readings close at hand keeps one grounded in the faith.  Staying grounded in the faith enables us to bear good fruit which in turn says what kind of tree we are.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Readings for Dorcas of Jopa

Acts 9:36–42 Psalm 1 Matthew 25:31–46

“Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas.^* She was devoted to good works and acts of charity.” (Acts 9:36)

The first thing I notice is that this is a female disciple or student.  We should be thankful to Luke for lifting up Dorcas so that we can see the inclusiveness of Christianity from the beginning of the Church.  The second thing I notice is that while she is a student of the Way, she was also devoted to good works and acts of charity.

I have learned that Dorcas, her Greek name, as well as Tabitha, her Aramaic name, means gazelle.  This might explain why in the translation of her name the animal has two distinct names for each language.  When I ponder about gazelles I see a fleet footed grazer that does little harm to the earth while playing an important part in moving seeds around and fertilizing the plains not to mention the grace and beauty inherent in the creature.

I wonder about what kind of animal would I be called today of I had to have an animal name.  Perhaps because of the way we waste the earth and do little to maintain it “human” is the worst name we could be called.  No animal would want to be called human and we aren’t good enough to shame another animal’s name for ourselves. So our gazelle or “Dorcas” was good to others as she learned about Jesus from Peter and was raised from the dead by him. (Acts 9:40)

Dorcas made clothing. Perhaps she was the fashion setter of her day. She was a working student or disciple.  Our take-away from Dorcas is that we too should be creative, lifelong learners who give much more than we take and be given to good works and charity.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42 Ezra 1:1-11; 1 Cor. 16:1-9; Matt. 12:15-21

“Now concerning the collection for the saints: you should follow the directions I gave to the churches of Galatia. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so that collections need not be taken when I come.”  (1 Corinthians 16: 1 – 2)

Paul instructs the early church families weekly (on the first day of the week); to put aside whatever extra money they can to be collected at a designated time.

Charitable giving has always been one of the missions of the church.  And even though we live within governments that maintain support systems for the needy, our governmental bureaucracy often prevents the needed resources from going to those most in need.

Our Church will always need to provide for those who “fall through the cracks” so to speak.  If we don’t plan to intentionally look at our giving and be deliberate in putting money aside, those in need will be forgotten. Too often the government suspects wrong doing while the church supports right doing. This is the designated time of the year we ponder our giving for 2020. 

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48 Lam. 2:8-15; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Matt. 12:1-14

“I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.”  (Matthew 12:6)

In this section of the Gospel of Matthew Jesus redefines what it means to respect the Sabbath and even the moderate reverence we should hold regarding brick and mortar houses of worship.

The real Holy of Holies is the mercy and love we have for one another.  Our love and mercy for each other is more important than sacred bread, sacred buildings or sacred days.  We can bake more bread and bless it.  We can build more buildings and bless them.  We can wait and another day of Sabbath will come.  But if we don’t bless one another with love and mercy we may never overcome the barrier that denies us eternal life.  For as we give love and mercy so too we receive love and mercy.  Unlike buildings, bread and special days, love and mercy are eternal. Love and mercy will not crumble over time as will bread and buildings.  And as for days, love and mercy has days that will never end.  

Jesus reminds them (and us), “But if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”  (Mathew 12: 7 – 8)  So we all must understand that what we are capable of (love and mercy), is far greater and more important than anything else we can have, or do, or make for ourselves.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39 Lam. 1:1-5(6-9)10-12; 1 Cor. 15:41-50; Matt. 11:25-30

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11: 29)

I used to interpret “taking Jesus’ yoke” as me wearing it by myself.  I thought this until I looked into the word yoke.  Yoke, at least in one understanding, is an instrument used to tether two work animals together to do the agricultural work of tilling the soil. Yokes are used to harness two draft animals together in order to pull heavy loads.

So now when I hear Jesus inviting me to take his yoke upon me I hear an invitation to join him in doing the work of ministry.  Further, it is by being yoked with Jesus that I learn from him.  I now realize that when Jesus sent out his apostles to heal and cast out demons, he sent then out yoked.

This idea of being yoked carries with it the idea of learning from Jesus through being yoked with another believer.  If we partner with someone whom we respect for their steadfast belief in God in Christ Jesus we learn from them, and they from us.  When we partner together with someone we often switch places with them as mentor and protégé; as master and apprentice; as teacher and disciple. In this sharing we both benefit from Jesus working through us. But we must remember how Jesus teaches.  He says he is “gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  With Jesus’ method of teaching, our yoked learning is win – win. Find Jesus in someone today and yoke with them for the work of ministry.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 24 Year 1

AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15 Jer. 44:1-14; 1 Cor. 15:30-41; Matt. 11:16-24

“Not all flesh is alike, but there is one flesh for human beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.”  (1 Corinthians 15:39)

Paul basically separates the animal groups such as Mammals, birds, fish and so forth.  He was probably ahead of his time.  I like his view that all human beings are of one flesh.

I have felt this way for a long time, since my anthropology class in undergraduate school. Our instructor explained that in his view there is no such thing as race. Further, race he said, is a human construct by which we show difference among humans and where there is difference there are those who may be considered “better” or “worse” than others.

His view, and perhaps Paul’s view, is that since any man or woman among us may have children together, we are one species.  God came among us born of Mary as one of us in this human species.  Paul will go on to talk about the planting of this body (in death) in order that we will be transformed into a spiritual body but even then we will be of one spiritual type. Paul says, “It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:44).

I believe all humanity needs to have a greater appreciation of who we are and our place in the universe.  We have the potential to be the balance of universal peace in all of God’s creation.  But it must start with us here on this planet our island home. Then no matter what we may encounter beyond our sphere of existence, be they bird, fish, insect or reptile, we will infect them not with disease or pollutants, but with love and peace.  However, all charity starts at home.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through God’s people and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do.  John+