onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Thursday Proper 8 of Year 1

AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 134, 1351 Samuel 13:5-18; Acts 8:26-40; Luke 23:13-25

“As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip^* baptized him.” (Acts 8:36 – 38)

This is why I said a couple of days ago, “Let’s follow Philip the Deacon for a day or two.”  Philip should be called “Philip the Baptizer.”  He baptized Simon and now he baptizes the Eunuch. Baptism is the initiation into Christianity.  We, Episcopalians, require the Naming of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit right after our own Christening name is pronounced, at the point of Baptism.  I have done provisional baptisms for folk who after showing me their baptismal certificate only said in the Name of Jesus Christ.  Having said that, the Episcopal Church will accept Baptisms from other denominations with the provision that it was done in the Trinitarian way. Most main stream denominations are done this way.  And while I fully accept one baptism for the forgiveness of sins I could not pass up the opportunity to be baptized in the River Jordan while on Pilgrimage in the Holy Land in February of 2018.

Readings for Independence Day:

AM Psalm 33; Ecclesiasticus 10:1-8,12-18; James 5:7-10 PM Psalm 107:1-32; Micah 4:1-5; Revelation 21:1-7

“The Lord looks down from heaven, and beholds all the people in the world.” (Psalm 33:13)

As the Revolutionary war was coming to a close, an American ship followed in the wake of the defeated English war ships back to English waters. The crew of this American vessel wanted to have Priests ordained as Bishops in God’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.  It took a while; Sam Seabury had to go to Scotland in 1784 to be consecrated bishop. But finally in 1787 William White and Sam Provost were ordained Bishops in England for the Americans.  For me this was the real independence, to maintain our apostolic succession even through war.  God loves people on both sides of every conflict. The Lord looks down from heaven, and beholds all the people in the world.

Thank You Jesus.  John+

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday Proper 8 of Year 1

AM Psalm 119:145-176; PM Psalm 128, 129, 130 1 Samuel 12:1-6,16-25; Acts 8:14-25; Luke 23:1-12

“Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money!”  (Acts 8:18 – 20)

Poor Simon, he doesn’t get it.  He is learning about the Trinity, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit but he is trying to fit our Triune God within the paradigm he has been trained to understand, money. It didn’t work then and it doesn’t work today.

Often people will ask me how much I charge to conduct a memorial service or officiate at a wedding.  “Nothing” I tell them. Whatever gifts I have, I have from God and it was not given to me to profit from.  Full disclosure, many people have found ways to compensate me either by putting it in my discretionary fund (which is not used for me) or slipping money into my coat pocket, or even mailing it to my home long after the event.  But I was very clear when asked, that there is no charge for the Lord’s work. This position really makes it easy and inclusive for those who are unable to pay anything anyway.  The poor need to know that they are highly valued by God in Christ Jesus.

Our Simon, the money maker, is so different from Simon Peter.  Simon Peter and John are recovering fishermen now bearers of the Holy Spirit and doing holy work in the villages of Samaria.  It makes no difference what our origins were as far as God is concerned.  God took a tax collector and some fishermen and had them follow a carpenter and set about changing the world forever. This world is still being changed. And this change looks promising.

   God can do anything with anybody, and this most certainly includes you. This work is not for money but for the spread of the kingdom of heaven.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John+

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday Proper 8 of Year 1

AM Psalm [120], 121, 122, 123; PM Psalm 124, 125, 126, [127] 1 Samuel 11:1-15; Acts 8:1-13; Luke 22:63-71

“Philip went down to the city^* of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:5 – 8)

Let’s follow Philip the Deacon for a day or two.  Philip went to Samaria and proclaimed the Risen Jesus to them and they were thrilled to hear it.  This is amazing because just last Sunday in our Eucharistic Reading we saw where the Samaritans would not receive Jesus. (Luke 9:52 – 59)

But now things have changed.  A man named Simon who was promoting his own agenda was impressed by what Philip was doing in the Name of Jesus.  So Simon stayed near Philip and was baptized by him along with many of the Samaritans.  The power of Jesus working through Philip got rid of demons and made the lame walk. Simon, upon seeing this, was beside himself with jealousy.

The big point here is that because a person or persons did not accept Jesus at first does not mean that they will never accept him.  The other part to ponder is that while Simon was promoting himself, Philip was promoting Jesus.  Philip, in many ways was like John the Baptist.  John spoke of Jesus as the one who is coming after him and is greater than him.  Philip spoke of the Good News of the kingdom of heaven and how it has come near to us and as the Samaritans accepted this Good News, they begin to be healed.

Even today, letting our friends and community know that the Kingdom of God is covering us more and more with goodness will still have a healing effect.  The coming Kingdom of God is like two spheres merging together (kind of looks like the Master Card logo). In this case, the gold moving left is covering the red.  This is like the kingdom of heaven covering the earth.

As this happens more and more, God’s desire for humanity becomes fulfilled.  You and I have choices.  We can resist this movement of the Kingdom of God or we can help ease it in by letting people know it’s happening already.  It’s not really a choice.  We know the final outcome: God Wins.  It’s just nice that we have this wonderful opportunity to escort it in.  Despite all the bad news we hear today I believe we are becoming a better people more and more.

Thank You Jesus. John+

Daily Office Readings for Monday Proper 8 of Year 1

AM Psalm 106:1-18; PM Psalm 106:19-48 1 Samuel 10:17-27; Acts 7:44-8:1a; Luke 22:52-62

“Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?  When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”  (Luke 22 52 – 53)

Jesus has done no criminal offence and yet the religious authorities come to arrest him. Many God centered people since this time have been killed because of their beliefs, especially when such beliefs undermine and threaten the comfort and power of those in charge, like the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders.

I am very glad to be able to live in a country that insists on religious freedom including the right to be non religious if we so choose. We are not a theocracy. However, we still have a ways to go in not persecuting people whose beliefs differ from main stream religious persecutors.  Many such beliefs have to do with sexual orientation and issues around the subject of abortion. Also there are concerns around the death penalty and war itself.

I continue to follow a path that asks the question “how is love and compassion informing me.”  It’s not always what you might think.  Love asks questions like who needs protection.  Love asks questions like what is the likely outcome if I do nothing.  What’s at stake?  As I look around the table at my children and myself, who are the ones in need but perhaps say nothing?  I am old enough now to say that all people in their forties and below are my children as well as (hopefully) my friends.  It doesn’t matter if they don’t get along with each other or with me.  It doesn’t matter if they speak my language or if they can speak at all, they are my children and my friends.  I may be called to go to war with them or forgive them for some mistaken deed or just accept them the way God made them.  They are my child-friends.

We should not come out after our child-friends with hate like the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders as if they were bandits.  They should be in the temple of our hearts. How does love and compassion inform us about how we should treat those with whom we do not agree?  Let us not let the power of darkness gain control of our actions but rather let us follow what love and compassion asks us to do.  Find someone twenty or more years younger than you and adopt them as your child-friend, the more different they are the better.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through (and to) God’s people. John+

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday Proper 8 of Year C

1 Kings 19:15-16,19-21 Psalm 16 Galatians 5:1,13-25 Luke 9:51-62

“And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.” (Luke 9:52 – 59)

These Samaritans are people who Jesus often showed as examples of compassion.  The Woman at the well who said “come see a man who has told me everything I have ever done.” (John 4)  And, the Good Samaritan of Luke (10: 30 – 37) who tended to the man left for dead by robbers. So Jesus saw the love of the Samaritans.  But they also were tribal.

Samaritans did not like the Israelites or anyone who liked Israelites.  So when they saw that Jesus was going to Jerusalem they cut him and his followers off.  It’s the old saying that the friend of my enemy is my enemy.

When James and John asked if they could call down fire on them Jesus turned and rebuked them.  This is some insight as to the power that they had through Jesus. It seems to be no doubt that they could do such a thing but needed permission to do so.  They forget however, that when Jesus sent them out in pairs to heal and cast out demons he said to them receive those who receive you.  And, if they don’t receive you just knock off the dust from your shoes and keep on moving.  But even to them let them know that the kingdom of heaven has come near.

So there is no part of Jesus that is retaliatory. And as followers of Jesus we should not be retaliatory either.  Accept those who accept you.  Accept those who do not accept you. Be pleasant to all.  Do not retaliate, ever.

Hear what the Spirit is saying through (and to) God’s people.  John+

Daly Office Readings for Saturday, Proper 7 Year 1

AM Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13); PM Psalm 33 1 Samuel 9:15-10:1; Acts 7:30-43; Luke 22:39-51

“Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength.”  (Luke 22:41 – 43)

I’m guessing a stone’s throw away is about thirty or so feet.  It is enough when it’s dark to be far enough away from others to have some sense of privacy.  Having said this, as Jesus is alone at some distance from the others, how is it then that we have his private words of his prayer? No one was close enough to hear.   Anyway, he prays, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”  So the humanity of Jesus asks to be relieved of the oncoming misery, suffering and death. But Jesus is willing to go through with what is coming if it is God’s will.  He is teaching us that no matter what, put God’s will first.  I have to confess, I have been in situations where I asked God to take away the oncoming pain.  I am not so sure that in those times I was concerned about what God’s will was.  I was hoping my will was God’s will.  I had to discover that I am not God.

When the humanity of Jesus finished praying God responded to Jesus with an angel who gave him that necessary strength of undergo whatever was to come.  My closest comparison to this is receiving an anesthetic before a dental procedure. It doesn’t prevent what is about to happen but makes it bearable. And I must remember that I am in the dentist’s chair of my own free will and accord.

Today there are those who are forced to go through tough situations.  Those who must go through such ordeals need comforters.  Such comforters are like the midwives to the mother-to-be.  The midwife is not going to have the baby but will be a very present aid to the woman who is.  This midwife metaphor is just that, a metaphor.  The angel midwife can be a woman or man as was Ananias to Saul when he was blinded on the road to Damascus.  The Resurrected Jesus sent Ananias to strengthen Saul so that he would become Paul.  After some resistance, “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:17 – 19)  Saul/Paul was given strength from a mortal midwife of sorts following the commands of Jesus.

We too are sent to school children, to the homeless, to the elderly, to  the run-away’s, to the returning veterans with PTSD, to those seeking asylum, to victims of domestic violence, and many others who are praying “Lord take this cup from me.” You and I then are the angels, the anesthetic, and the midwives sent by God to strengthen those who are facing unavoidable hardships. Let’s be good angels now so that we will be good angels in eternity.

 Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through (and to) God’s people. John+

Daly Office Readings for Friday, Proper 7 Year 1

AM Psalm 102; PM Psalm 107:1-32 1 Samuel 9:1-14; Acts 7:17-29; Luke 22:31-38

“Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31 – 32)

Jesus prayed for Simon Peter and others (I think us too) that our faith may not fail.  Faith is the most important element of our lives. It is what connects us to the Holy of holies. Jesus knows this and acts on our behalf.  Evil wants us; therefore we must stay vigilant in order to overcome it.

Jesus uses language that suggests that we will drift away as did Peter.  But in his words he says “when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  Therefore Jesus knows that we will fall short.  But he also knows that we can repent and recover.  This is very good news. Jesus’ faith in us is so strong.  We need to have faith in ourselves as well, and faith in the faith of Jesus.  I am reminded of the verse of “Come thou fount of every blessing” where it says “prone to wonder Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.  Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.”  I think maybe we should yoke with prayer partners as a way to guard against slipping away, against leaving the God we love. If we do drift, a prayer partner would be a good way back into the fold.   

Jesus reminds us that we have a responsibility to strengthen others when we come to ourselves. Hopefully we will also learn to be patient with them if and when they fall from their faith walk.  Hopefully we too will pray for our lost loved ones who have drifted away, that they will come back to the faith of our Jesus.  It is amazing what prayer, compassion and listening will accomplish.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John+

Daly Office Readings for Thursday, Proper 7 Year 1

AM Psalm 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Acts 6:15-7:16; Luke 22:24-30

“And Stephen replied: ‘Brothersand fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, “Leave your country and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you.” Then he left the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran.” (Acts 7: 2 – 4)

Poor Stephen, he recounts, before being stoned to death, God’s wonderful and gracious deeds in the history of human life.  Stephen is on a spiritual high.  He remembers Abraham and his trials in his faith. He remembers that for his faith Abraham was about to kill his son Isaac. Stephen is trying desperately to show the people how Jesus and the Way of Jesus is a continuation of what God is doing that began with God’s promise to Abraham.  But they didn’t listen.

However, in that story of Abraham, perhaps because Isaac felt the faith (and fear) of his father Abraham in God, he too became a man of strong faith like his father.  Abraham’s faith almost cost Isaac his life.  It sounds harsh but it made an indelible mark on the soul of Isaac, something that does not always happen with our children today.

From 1 Samuel:

“And [the Elders] said to him, ‘you are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” “(1 Samuel 8:5)

Samuel undergoes the same situation that brought forth his own anointing by God after Eli lost control of his sons and the spiritual leadership of the people.  We have a responsibility to mentor our young ones teaching them about God and for us Christians, about God in Christ Jesus.  We are not responsible for how much they learn, they must assume some responsibility.  But we must both live a life of faith, and teach that faith to those who come after us.  One without the other is hypocritical, that is, to teach it but not practice it.

We must be strong persons of faith to raise strong persons of faith. I so wish my own children witnessed me praying more.  They saw how I watched football games, how I went to work, how I spent time with mom, how I went to play golf and even how I was serious about going to church.  But they did not see me serious about having an appointed time of personal prayer. 

 Stephen reminds us that God calls the child from the parent at God’s pleasure. Hopefully most of us as parents will grow old. For Eli, who we don’t know much about, except that his sons did not take his devotion to God seriously.  For Samuel, we watch him from conception, but still had sons that fell from his teaching. If we are good parents and our kids do not follow our lead, shame on them.  If we are bad parents and I our kids are likewise (or not), shame on us. If we are good parents and our kids are likewise, all glory be to God. Therefore in this last case, it will be said of us, “we have grown old and our children have followed in our ways.” 

Thanks be to God. John+

Daly Office Readings for Wednesday, Proper 7 Year 1

AM Psalm 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30; PM Psalm 119:121-144 1 Samuel 7:2-17; Acts 6:1-15; Luke 22:14-23

“And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables.^”  Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” (Acts 6:2 – 4)

I have never agreed with or even cared for this kind of thinking.  Every saint I have ever studied showed their faith by serving and taking care of the less fortunate.  This passage brings about the birth of deacons.  Fine.  As an Episcopal priest I was ordained a deacon first.  I was never “un-ordained” out of the deaconate.  Therefore within my priesthood, I am still a deacon, one who serves tables.

The letter from James encourages us to show our faith in the works that we do.  Further, he says that “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)  In many ways I think that considering one’s self too important to serve at tables is the very Hellenistic attitude that criticized them in the first place.

Over and over we are told to bear fruit.  Fruit does not come from just devoting ourselves to prayer and preaching.  We must have some sweat equity in the game. Preach fine, but walk the talk, we must walk the preaching.  I quote St Francis of Assisi as he said “go and preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.”  This implies that action, that is, works, that is, waiting tables if necessary, is the fruit of such “prayer and serving the word.” 

Sharing responsibility is common in the Bible.  Moses’ gifts were shared for the benefit of the Israelites. “The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.”  (Numbers 11:16 – 17)

So this sharing of responsibility is an honored tradition.  As I write these words I am well aware that I, and some of my parishioners, will meet a week from today to wait at tables at our local chapter of “Operation In As Much” to distribute breakfast to the hungry and homeless of our community. Yeah, I’m a priest, but I’m still a deacon and most important, I am still a servant of Christ Jesus, Baptized to serve.

Thank You Jesus.  John+

Daly Office Readings for Tuesday, Proper 7 Year 1

AM Psalm 97, 99, [100]; PM Psalm 94, [95]1 Samuel 6:1-16; Acts 5:27-42; Luke 21:37-22:13

“Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.” (Psalm 95:1)

Ahaaa, the Venite , these are verses 1 through 7 of Psalm [95] as found on page 82 of the Book of Common Prayer.  It is Morning Prayer.  I like to sing this Psalm in the morning as part of Morning Prayer.  The other music I like in the morning is “Lead me, Guide me.”  As found in Lift Every Voice and Sing.  The Venite is timeless. It always urges us to “come before his presence with thanksgiving and raise a loud shout to him with psalms” which this Psalm does.

Perhaps my favorite Psalm is 121.  And that’s only because of our Women’s Bible Study.  The ladies and I say this Psalm every Tuesday afternoon. (We will do it today in fact)  But the Venite is personal for me as well.  I imagine all the Anglican religious of the English speaking world praying this Psalm in universal unison every morning.  “Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.”  It is powerful!  There are many great and wonderful Psalms and a few that I can’t warm up to. I tend to like the joyful and praising Psalms.  Many people like the 23^rd Psalm.  I think we all should peruse through the Psalms and try to hold onto one or two.  My “relationship” with the first seven verses of Psalm 95 has to do with saying it every day in seminary and in my own morning prayers since.  It is now a part of me.  For those of you who may be curious, the melody I sing to is S-35 for Daily Morning Prayer II, in the 1982 Hymnal. I love singing the Venite.

Today we remember James Weldon Johnson Poet, 1938 for June 25

“James Weldon Johnson was born on June 17, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida. His parents stimulated his academic interests, and he was encouraged to study literature and music. Johnson enrolled at Atlanta University with the expressed intention that the education he received there would be used to further the interests of African Americans. He never reneged on that commitment. In the summer after his freshman year, Johnson taught the children of former slaves. Of that experience he wrote, “In all of my experience there has been no period so brief that has meant so much in my education for life as the three months I spent in the backwoods of Georgia.” After graduation, he became the principal of the largest high school in Jacksonville, during which time he was paid half of what his white counterparts were paid, even though the school excelled under his leadership.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for June 25)

I am familiar with James Weldon Johnson’s work through my reciting his “Creation Story” from his book of poetry, God’s Trombones (1927). These are seven biblical stories rendered into verse, and was influenced by his impressions of the rural South. We used his Creation Story for Easter Vigil.  It is quite a literal interpretation of scripture but it is a lot of fun. The language is old-timey with a Southern, African American, slant.  As Johnson was a very educated man I am guessing he wanted to use language that would bring in all those on the fringes. I believe he did just that. 

“In 1906, Johnson was invited to work for the diplomatic corps and became U.S. Consul to Venezuela and later Nicaragua.  During his Nicaraguan tenure, Johnson was a voice of reason and reconciliation in a time of civil unrest and turmoil. His ability to bring together people of differing viewpoints toward a common vision served Johnson well in the 1920’s, when he became an organizer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).”  (Great Cloud of Witnesses for June 25)

Thank you Jesus for the saints in our lives.  John+