onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Monday 15 April 2019 Holy Week Year 1

AM Psalm 51:1-18(19-20); PM Psalm 69:1-23Jer. 12:1-16; Phil. 3:1-14; John 12:9-19

Psalm 51

“For behold, you look for truth deep within me, and will make me understand wisdom secretly. (Psalm 51:7)

My Pondering

Amidst the verses of Psalm 51 regarding sin and the turning away from it, is this verse about God looking for truth deep within us and God’s desire to make us understand wisdom secretly.  I find this interesting because I think deep within each of us is our own truth.   It is a truth we don’t totally share with anyone else.  But God can meet us in our own truth and build us up from there.

There are many great universities in the world.  Many are beyond the affordability of people who could really benefit from their teachings.  They are packed with wisdom but it is public wisdom.  It is wisdom for sale. And maybe what these formal schools offer is knowledge, and not wisdom at all.  Wisdom has more to do with discerning intellect.  Such discerning intellect is perhaps a gift that is born from within and not something taught.  The Psalmist says that God will have us understand wisdom secretly. I think what comes with this secret wisdom is God’s price tag of “Free.”  It is free grace.

I was in a systematic theology class once when after the class I noticed several seminarians, of whom I considered to be really smart students, gathered around the instructor to ask questions that perhaps went beyond what the instructor covered in class.  So I eased down close to see what I might hear and learn.  We were studying the theology of Thomas Aquinas.  Aquinas has written several volumes of books about the Trinity.  However the professor informed us that just a touch of understanding (free grace) from the Holy Spirit will give us even more understanding than the whole of Thomas Aquinas’s works.

This reminds me of the passage in Luke where the Resurrected Jesus appeared before them and “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24: 45)  This is that divine Spirit (that free grace) that only God can give.  This has happened several times in the Bible.  And I believe it still happens today with us.  We just need to be open to what God is doing and pray for such wisdom as did Solomon when he prayed, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”  (1 Kings 3:9)  In some translations the “understanding mind” is translated “discerning heart” (NIV).  In any case, it is a prayer, and in Solomon’s case, it is so that he will be a better leader for the people of God. God was pleased that Solomon’s request was not self-centered.

We each have our own truths deep within us and God sees and understands our personal truths.  But God can, and does help us with ourselves. Our help indeed may come through formal education from a university that builds knowledge but it does not come without God’s assistance.  Pray then, for that free grace, for that secrete wisdom that only the Creating Word can give.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Eucharistic Readings for Palm Sunday 14 April 2019 Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9aPsalm 31:9-16Philippians 2:5-11Luke 22:14-23:56

Luke

“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)

My Pondering

There is so much to ponder in the Passion Reading.  I think in all the readings for any of the Gospel Passion readings, Peter is the significant representative of us all.  He wants to be faithful, but fails. We want to be faithful but we too so often fail.  Jesus never gives up on Simon Peter and Jesus never gives up on us.

Satan, or at least sin, is at work against Simon Peter and us as well to reduce us down to manageable fragments in an effort to pull us away from following the love of Jesus. But we have the prayers of Jesus himself, keeping the faith within us, to keep us strong. Jesus says in our Passion passage, “but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail.” Jesus has proclaimed throughout the Gospel that it is the faith within us that enables to overcome the sinful obstacles in life.

Luke’s Gospel is the only Gospel that has Jesus make eye contact with Peter as the roster crows. This is a painful reminder that Jesus told him it would be so. It is also a painful reminder when we too make eye contact with Jesus and are found falling short of what we should be.  However, Jesus also lets Peter know that he will, at some point, turn back, and that we too, will at some point, turn back, and when we do, we, like Peter, are to strengthen our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday 13 April 2019 Week 5 of Lent Year 1

AM Psalm 137:1-6(7-9), 144; PM Psalm 42, 43Jer. 31:27-34; Rom. 11:25-36; John 11:28-44or12:37-50

“When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” (John 11:43)

My Pondering

In the Gospel of John Jesus has several personal encounters with different people.  And we get to listen, in and hopefully, learn something about what and how we are supposed to believe in God through Jesus Christ.

In this passage we see that Jesus treats Martha and Mary differently.  They both say the same thing when each goes out to meet Jesus outside the village.  Each says, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ (John 11)  With Martha he goes deep into her beliefs (and doubts) about the resurrection of which he tells her that “He” is the Resurrection? 

After that Martha goes back to the village and back into her house and sends Mary out.  Mary goes to Jesus but we notice that Mary kneels at Jesus’ feet and then says the same thing, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’  But Jesus only replies to Mary with ‘Where have you laid him?’ Jesus treats us according to what we need, and how we approach him, with discipline or comfort, or both.  He knows what our needs are more than we do.

The very important lesson here is for us to hear what Jesus was telling Martha, and that is that he, JESUS, IS THE ESURRECTION!  These are the words spoken at funerals, “ I am Resurrection and I am life says the Lord.”  Every one of us who follows Jesus is looking forward to the day that he calls us out of death into eternal life as he did for Lazarus, into paradise. Yes, Thank You Jesus.

I have often thought of Jesus as the embodiment of the portal of God’s creation.  That is the very same portal through which God brought all things into being. That same Creating Portal then reducing itself into an embryo and was placed in the womb of Mary. I get this understanding from the first chapter of this same Gospel where it says, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.” (John 1:3)

It only stands to reason then that the Manufacturer of creation also has the ability to re-create or bring back to life any of the created beings that the Creator wishes to.   ‘Lazarus, come out!’

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Daily Office Readings for Friday 12 April 2019 Week 5 of Lent Year 1

AM Psalm 95* & 22; PM Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12) Jer. 29:1,4-13; Rom. 11:13-24; John 11:1-27 or 12:1-10

Psalm 141

“Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips; let not my heart incline to any evil thing.” (Psalm 141:3)

My Ponderings

Hurtful speaking today can be compared to sending a hurtful email.  We can type up anything we want to another person we’re upset with. But until we hit “Send” it is still just with us, hasn’t done any harm at all. But once we hit “send” it’s out there.

I know that sometimes I speak before I think.  I hit the send button of my lips too quick.  Once it’s out there, it’s out there. A “Blind Copy” also goes to God!  When words come from our lips there is no “not blind copy.”  Everything we send, we send to God also.

I used to teach service members who, were substantiated of domestic violence, that their violent actions were not an automatic reflex – that in fact no matter how fast it happened, it was a processed thought.  The same is true with words, no matter how fast we respond or say something; it is always a processed thought.

I heard one person whom I respect deeply use the term “filter” to describe the way in which she modifies her words.  I like the term.  I like the prayer of the Psalmist even better, “Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips; let not my heart incline to any evil thing.” (Psalm 141:3)

I think that before we say something, we first think it.  So if we are going to appeal to the Lord for help we should ask for the Lord’s help at the beginning, the very thought itself. Our Collect for Purity asks just that.  It goes, “Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid:  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthy magnify your Holy Name through Christ our Lord. Amen” (p. 355 BCP).

It is so embarrassing to fly-off-the-handle and say things we later regret.  The discipline of restraint requires us to be in continual “think” mode.  It requires us to hesitate at the risk of being late or considered “slow” of wit.  Once we learn to just accept whatever other people think of our hesitation, we learn to speak in more loving and meaningful ways, or not speak at all.  Just as there are loving and meaningful ways, so too are there are evil ways and things.  This brings us back to the Psalmist who teaches us to go to God about our words and actions. “Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips; let not my heart incline to any evil thing.” (Psalm 141:3)

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday 11 April 2019 Week of 5 Lent Year 1

AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 140, 142Jer. 26:1-16; Rom. 11:1-12; John 10:19-42

John

“Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?’  Others were saying, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’”  (John 10: 20-21)

My Pondering

I’ve always been the kind of person that if I thought what I was hearing from someone (and that person wasn’t a boss or a teacher), I would simply excuse myself and walk away.  I would not try to coerce others into following me or to not accept what was being said.  They needed to figure that out for themselves. I quickly recognize the condescending nature of the first speaker in the short passage from John.  The second speaker tries to use a more analytical approach in figuring out the real value of Jesus’ words. The second speaker says, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

I have heard a lot of good information in my life from various people, some well educated and some not so well educated.  But what came to me from them was often very good.  And I have also had more than enough garbage spoken in my presence, from so-called well educated and the not so well educated. This latter part I just threw out, not always the smart thing to do.

I must admit that sometimes I have had to climb into the dumpster of thrown-away words to retrieve a sentence that literally opened the blind eyes of my heart and mind. When I was a teenager I hung out with some reckless friends that my Dad did not approve of. He told me, “you know,” he said, “water seeks its own level.”  What? I thought.  I didn’t realize my dad was using a metaphor to enlighten me about the fact that “I am my friends.”  I am the company I keep.  When one or two of my so-called friends began to get in trouble I finally saw the trajectory I was on and regrouped, changed directions.

My Dad was a truck driver, not one of the well-educated speakers in my life but he loved me and wanted the best for me.  His words of love were the kind of words that Jesus used in the presence of all those around him.  Yet many didn’t listen.

It is so important to be around people who speak words that give sight.  Sometimes you don’t see the value of the words at first. So keep that dumpster of thrown-away words in sight. It is also important to be able to tell quickly if the companions you keep are continually negative. Remember, water seeks its own level.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday 10 April 2019 Week of 5 Lent Year 1

AM Psalm 119:145-176; PM Psalm 128, 129, 130Jer. 25:30-38; Rom. 10:14-21; John 10:1-18

Romans

“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

My Pondering

The oral story is how our faith was passed on to us.  There was no book (Bible).  Faith was born mouth to ear. I remember the prologue to the Gospel of John: “In the Beginning was the Word.” (John 1:1)  It was the word, not the book.  The written word is a secondary, mimicking of the heard word.

Writing came much later and was only intended to help in maintaining the oral story. Much of what we have of the Pentateuch was first “told” as the history of Israel and only written while the Israelites were captive in Babylon hundreds of years later.  We Christians accepted the Hebrew cannon of the Hebrew (Old) Testament and added to it the Christian (New) Testament.

While our New Testament was more closely recorded, time wise, than the Old Testament, there are still lapses.  Jesus spoke in Aramaic, not written so much as were other languages of the day.  These stories were recorded in the common Greek tongue of the time.  Later Jerome and others translated both the Hebrew and the Greek Testaments into Latin, which became the Language of the Western Church.  I might add, the written Church, not the Oral Church.

Latin was then the language of Rome.  Rome built roads to the known world.  On these roads, the Gospel was carried to the world.  While all roads led to Rome, they were not “one-way.”  They also led out to the entire Roman empire. I think this was God’s timing to get the Gospel to the world. As this Latin Gospel was spread the Reformation began to breakdown the Latin code into the local dialects of each region. There were, and are, so many opportunities to make mistakes, or to misunderstand what was originally said, or spoken. 

We must again learn to hear the story and then speak the story.  Even our babies first learn to hear and speak before they acquire the art of reading and writing. God told the Israelites in the Shema, “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One.” (Deut. 6:4).  It was not “Read O Israel.”  I believe reading is an invaluable tool for learning, but it does not by any stretch of the imagination replace the mouth-to-ear spread of learning our faith.

Having “written” all of this, I must say, I am one who often talks too much. As a result, the guilt of my pontifications causes me to shut down in repentance from time to time. Then I remember Paul’s words to the Romans, “faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”  So I say, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be always acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Readings for Dietrich Bonhoeffer  9 April

Proverbs 3:1-7 Psalm 119:89-96 Matthew 13:47-52

Matthew

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad.” (Matthew 13:47-48)

The excerpt below is from A Great Cloud of Witnesses for 9 April

“Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born at Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) on February 4, 1906.

Bonhoeffer was arrested April 5, 1943, and imprisoned in Berlin. After an attempt on Hitler’s life failed on July 20, 1944, documents were discovered linking Bonhoeffer to the conspiracy.

On Sunday, April 8, 1945, just as he concluded a service in a school building in Schoenberg, two men came in with the chilling summons, “Prisoner Bonhoeffer . . . come with us.” He said to another prisoner, “This is the end. For me, the beginning of life.” Bonhoeffer was hanged the next day, April 9, at Flossenburg Prison.” (A Great Cloud of Witnesses: April 9)

My Pondering

Matthew’s Jesus gives us the metaphor of discriminating angels doing the Lord’s work of separating the good from the bad.  When will that day come?  Today we remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a deeply faithful and religious Christian Pastor who decided he could wait no longer.

Every Christian has to answer for him or herself how, and when, they should act in the interest of the innocent. The hurt and or abuse of any group of people must be the concern of every Christian. God looks upon the heart and searches the soul.  God is a lover of souls who seeks out other lovers  of souls.  Sometimes, hard moral decisions must be made. What would you do as a Christian if you met what you perceived to be evil incarnate?

No one, not even a faithful and loyal Christian, knows for sure what they will do in such a situation. It is for this reason we can’t judge Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Only God in Christ Jesus judges him. I believe Bonhoeffer, on the day of separation, the day of the angels doing the Lord’s work, will be in one of Matthew’s baskets.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Readings for William Augustus Muhlenberg, & Anne Ayers 8 April

William Augustus Muhlenberg Psalm 133 Ephesians 4:11-16 Matthew 21:12-16

Anne Ayers Psalm 84:1-6 Isaiah 63:7-9 Ephesians 4:11-16 Matthew 21:12-16

Ephesians

“He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor-teacher” (Ephesians 4:11 MSG)

My Pondering

The quote from Ephesians is taken from the Message Bible.  When I was first introduced to this translation of the Bible is was not a fan.  However, as I research many English translations to note subtle differences I saw that this Message verse more readily verified a suspicion I had about Paul’s intention for the pastor-teacher gift.  That in fact it is considered one gift.

The gifts of apostle, prophet and evangelist are all listed and separated in other English translations by the words “and some.”  This “and some” served as a means of separating the different gifts.  The “and some” was not used between the words “pastor” and “teacher.”  Therefore I suspected pastor and teacher to be a combined gift.  The Message Bible verified this hunch of mine.  The Message translation writes “pastor-teacher.” William Augustus Muhlenberg and Anne Ayers, whom we remember today, possessed such a gift.

“William Augustus Muhlenberg was born in Philadelphia in 1796, into a prominent German Lutheran family, and was drawn to The Episcopal Church by its use of English. …. He was deeply involved in the Sunday School movement, and was concerned that the Church should minister to all social groups.” (A Great Cloud of Witnesses April 8)

“Anne Ayres was born in London, England, in 1816, and immigrated to New York in 1836. She began work as a tutor for the children of wealthy New Yorkers, but soon came under the influence of Muhlenberg” (A Great Cloud of Witnesses April 8)

“The companionship in ministry between Muhlenberg and Ayres led to the founding of St. Luke’s Hospital in the City of New York, where Ayres and her sisters looked after most of the patient care and nursing. They also cooperated in establishing St. Johnland on the north shore of Long Island, an attempt to transplant families into an intentional utopia for poor inner-city people. ” …… Muhlenberg and Ayres died in 1877 and 1896, respectively.” (A Great Cloud of Witnesses April 8)

Muhlenberg and Ayres exemplified the pastor-teacher gift that God so graciously gave them.  They both cared for and taught in their communities and made time to tutor young ones in school as well as minister to the hospitalized.  “Ayres helped Muhlenberg found St. Johnland, in King’s Park, Long Island, which was intended to be a rural utopia for poor inner-city people.” (A Great Cloud of Witnesses April 8)

Many of us are called to be pastor-teachers.  One does not have to be ordained to do this work. We just need to hear God’s call on our lives and recognize this very important gift of ministry.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Eucharistic Readings for Sunday 7 April 2019: 5^th Sunday of Lent Year C

Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126  Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8

John

“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (John 12: 5)

My Pondering

This reading from John about Mary is like the one in Luke about Mary.  Judas’s intention is explained to us by the evangelist.  The evangelist informs us that Judas is not concerned about the poor.  He writes that Judas kept the common purse and would steal from it.  How the Evangelist knew this opens up another discussion. He may have even taken his eyes off Jesus for a moment.  It is easy to pick on Judas because in all of the Gospel stories Judas is identified as the traitor who sold out Jesus.

But in this particular setting, in the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, we have Judas who took his eyes off Jesus for a moment to look upon Mary and what she was doing for Jesus.  And when he did this he had nothing good to say about her.  He was critical of her use of money.  Judas failed to look at Mary through the heart and eyes of Jesus.

This Gospel story is like the end of chapter 10 of Luke’s Gospel where Martha takes her eyes off Jesus and looks at her sister Mary and becomes angry because Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and not helping with the preparations for serving Jesus and the guests that are with him. She says to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”  (Luke 10:40)  Of course Jesus tells her that Mary is making the best us of her time.

Both of these reflections took place in the same house in Bethany.  They are witnessed from two different perspectives.  But both are examples of what happens when we look upon another person without seeing them through Jesus. The heart and eyes of Jesus softens our hard edges and brings out our compassion.  We must always recognize Jesus in the room and see the others in the room through Jesus. That’s why we have Jesus – so that we might love one another better.

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and then let us “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday 6 April 2019 Week 4 of Lent Year 1

AM Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13); PM Psalm 33Jer. 23:9-15; Rom. 9:1-18; John 6:60-71

John

“When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’” (John 6:60)

 “It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”  (John 6:63)

“Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

My Pondering

There is a difference between simple and complicated, just as there is a difference between easy and difficult.  But it is possible to be both simple and difficult.  To love everybody is a simple command. To carry it out is often very difficult.

Jesus has just told the people about the tradition he wanted us to keep after he is gone, that is, Holy Communion.  Simple, then he said, the one who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:58)  This proved to be too difficult to understand because it sounded like cannibalism, and so it was also too difficult to continue following him.  Although receiving Holy Communion is really simple.

Jesus breaks down the relationship between the simple yet difficult by telling them that it is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless.”  He also explains that “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” The meaning is simple; just continue remembering me in the sacrament of the body and blood that I will leave you.  Trusting it is simple. Understanding it is very difficult.

After many left, not to ever follow him again, Jesus asked his closest followers if they would stay.  It was to this that Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.”  Eternal life is the invitation we all receive. A simple RSVP is required.  That RSVP is activated through the sacrament of Holy Communion.  Jesus said for us to do this in remembrance of him. It is in this way that He will remember us.  This is so Simple to do, and yet so difficult to understand.  But we are not called to understand.  We are called to love, trust and obey, and to keep on following.  As Peter said, to who else could we go for eternal life?

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying through and to the people of the Creating Word and “Ponder anew what the Almighty is doing.”  John Thomas Frazier Sr.