onewhoponders

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the 5^th Sunday of Epiphany: Year C

Luke 5:1 to 11:

 “One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.” (Luke 5:1)

These are the words that are easy to overlook or in some way, we miss their importance.  Yes we could go on and talk about the abundance of obeying Jesus as made manifest in the overwhelming catch of fish caught by two boats.  But I think what we really need to look at is what the crowd of people realized, that the actual Word of God was coming out of the mouth of Jesus who we now hopefully realize is the Word of God in human form!

So Jesus gets in a boat we think belongs to Simon Peter and then goes out a little bit over the water. And now we have the voice of God moving over the waters (again). A quote from the opening of the Book of Genesis: “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)  Once again the voice of God is moving over the waters.  “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3) So now again the voice of God moving over the waters of Lake Gennesaret (Galilee), and letting there be light for the clouded minds of the people.

We have fishermen catching more fish than needed so that they can take leave of their vocation to fulfill a calling of feeding souls.  The same is true for us today.  God blesses us abundantly and then calls us to bring in people to the presence of God, to the Voice of God.  That same voice of God now moves in us.  We must now fulfill our call to live according to our Christian principles: both for ourselves, and for those we serve, and we all will be richly blessed by God in ways we may not understand right now. All we need to do is listen to the voice of God.

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

Let us pray: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;

Isaiah 57:3-13; Galatians 5:25 to 6:10; Mark 9:14-29:

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5: 25)

The assumption that St Paul is making here is that the Galatians are trying to live by the Spirit.  So he begins by saying, “If” we live by…”  The word “If” is always a pivotal point. Paul says this being so, “living by” transcends into “being guided by.”  To be guided by the Holy Spirit requires us to calm down. It surely can happen, but we need to prepare for it.

I heard an old friend, say a few years back that his Grandmother long ago, told people during the onset of a major storm to “Come in, sit down be quiet and wait.” I think to live by the Spirit we too should take time to come in, sit down, be quiet and wait and invite the Spirit into ourselves.  Only then can we also be guided by the Spirit.

Notice that after we have engaged with the Spirit we may then look upon one another in love.  Being guided by the Spirit Paul says we will not become conceited, or compete against one another or envy one another. The Holy Spirit of God is one of compassion, not competition. Thank you Sonny for passing on your Grandmother’s inspiring words.

Today we remember Bakhita, Monastic (1947) and her information may be found at: Bakhita

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

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69; Evening, Psalm 73

Isaiah 56:1-8; Galatians 5:16-24; Mark 9:2-13

“Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” (Mark 9:7)

This is the second time a voice came from heaven declaring Jesus as the beloved Son of God.  But this time it has the clause, “Listen to Him” added to it. The first time was of course was when Jesus was Baptized. This time is more revealing as the Transfiguration.

We Christians love honoring Jesus and we should.  But honoring Jesus is best done by obeying him.  And in this passage the instruction to listen to him really means not only to listen to his words but also to obey him, do His will. This is when we can use one of those Red Ink Bibles.  The red ink highlights everything that Jesus says.  Much of what Jesus says ends with the words “go and do likewise” or the implication thereof. Following such instruction honors Jesus and shows our commitment to the love of our Incarnate Creator.  We can’t or shouldn’t, let the Word (Voice of God) go into our ears on Sunday, and then slip out again on Monday.  We must be Everyday, listening and obeying believers, Christians. For me, everyday, daily prayer helps.

“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. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

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

Let us pray:

Almighty God, lover of all people, please bring Your cloud and overshadow us again in order that we might have our own Transfiguration experience in our own time whereby we will not only listen but also obey Your will, which will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74;

Isaiah 55:1-13; Galatians 5:1-15; Mark 8:27-9:1:

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.” (Galatians 5:5)  

These words from Paul remind me of my personal Creed.  It is an explanation of my faith while being a bit more brief than our BCP model. I still believe in our Nicene and our Apostles Creed but I needed a statement of belief more succinct. So I crafted these words:  “I believe in God through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word through whom we live and move and love and have our being, and to whom we must give an account.” 

While there is no mention of Mary or Pontius Pilate or even Jesus by name, Jesus is mentioned as the Incarnate Word.  This is my belief in the Holy Spirit and The Incarnate Word, The Logos.  But there is also the realization that all of us are going to be held accountable when judgment time comes, and we ought to be living in that knowledge now.

Today we remember the Martyrs of Japan (February 1597), and their information may be found at: Martyrs of Japan

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

Let us pray:

Come Holy Spirit who moved over the waters in the making of our creation and moved over Mary to bring us a Savior, so, move over us today as we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening,  Psalm 119:73-96;

 Isaiah 54:1-17); Galatians 4:21-31; Mark 8:11-2:

“Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, I will apply my mind to your decrees.” (Psalm 119:95)      

It is a hard thing to do when we are tormented or in any way unjustly treated by those who want to cause us harm or render punishment, especially unfairly.  I have read stories where faithful prisoners of war would turn to Bible Study to take their minds off their troubles. The Psalmist chooses to not focus on his unfair treatment but rather look at, and study, God’s plan for all humanity and how we should all live together in harmony.

I can’t imagine trying to think of the love of God while undergoing evil pain and suffering.  But perhaps going to such a happy place in the end is the only resolve that will either get one through it in this life, or will carry one on to the next life with the least amount of hell. Such is the case of one we should remember today, Agatha of Sicily.

Today we remember Agatha of Sicily, Martyr, (251), and her information may be found at: Agatha of Sicily

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

Let us pray:

O God Almighty, Creator, Lover and Sustainer of all souls, help us in our times of trouble to only focus on Your love for us and Your promise to give us joy at the end of this earthly life where pain and suffering are no more, but only peace and joy. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening, Psalm 68;  

Isaiah 52:1-12; Galatians 4:12-20; Mark 8:1-10:

 “You know that it was because of a physical infirmity that I first announced the Gospel to you?  Though my condition put you to the test, you did not scorn or despise me, but welcomed me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.”  (Galatians 4.13-14)

While Paul’s tone is going to shift to one of a reprimand shortly, he now praises the way the Galatians cared for him in a former time when he was not doing well, a situation not reported in scripture unless it was associated with the trip to Damascus event.  This physical infirmity seems to be the reason for bringing the Galatians the Gospel. 

I can almost hear Paul crying for help.  And he receives it from some Galatians who have accepted Christ and come to the aid of Paul.  We too are those helpful Galatians.  God moves us to compassion for those who suffer. We may not agree with the way they conduct their lives, which may have landed them in their misery in the first place, but there is no time for that when help is urgently needed.  God makes us move to assist them like the Good Samaritans/Galatians we are. Thank You Lord God.

Today we remember Manche Masemola, Martyr (1928) and her information may be found at: Manche Masimola

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

Let us pray:

Most Merciful Lord God, thankfully You have infected us with Your loving mercy.  Be with us in our daily lives as we both need aid in our distress and are with others in their distress. You are merciful Lord God and we are made in Your Image. Help us to put aside our arrogance and receive help when we need it, and to apply help to others even if they seem stubborn. Lead us and guide us we pray; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 4^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 56 and 57; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;

  Isaiah 51:17-23; Galatians 4:1-11; Mark 7:24-37:

“But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:28).

So this Syrophoenician Gentile woman doesn’t mind being treated less than human for the sake of her daughter.  She goes to another religion, another culture, another tradition to find God on earth in the person of Jesus.  She humbles herself enough to accept the leftovers of grace and healing for the benefit of her child.  There is no doubt in her mind that this Jesus can cure her daughter, it’s a matter of “will” he?

What I learn from her is to humble myself for the sake of others. Jesus is a loving and sacrificial healer and needs to know that the requester is loving and sacrificial as well.  This is about accepting whatever we can get for the sake of the other. Jesus also models the art of changing one’s mind through listening compassion. Thank you Jesus.

Today we remember Anskar, Bishop and Missionary of Denmark and Sweden (February 3, 523) and the Dorchester Chaplains of 1943 and their information may be found at: Anskar; and The Dorchester Chaplains, respectively.

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

Let us pray:

Most Holy Lord God, who loved us into being and gave us one another. Teach us, we pray, to always humbly come to you in our struggles to help others in whatever kind of need they might have, for you have shown us that You will hear our plea on behalf of others because You are always merciful and loving. Amen.

The Gospel Reading for Sunday, February 2, The Presentation of our Lord.

Luke 2: 22 to 40

“When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord(as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord’), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.” (Luke 2: 22 to 24).

From the beginning of his earthly life, Jesus was “Churched;” (although technically it was the Temple). God picked out parents that kept the Law of Moses, which by the way, could be understood as the Law of God. Giving a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons reveals the financial status of Joseph and Mary, they were poor.

And it was not really “their” purification, it was Mary’s as was required after childbirth. What is not mentioned is the circumcision of Jesus which was also contained in the Law.

We also have, with the two birds offered, are two mystics, Simeon and Anna. From Simeon we have the words we use for Evening prayer and Compline, to wit: “Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. (BCP p. 120)

Anna is an interesting story.  Like the Judge Debra in Judges of the Hebrew Testament, they both had husbands of no importance. It seems in order to be spoken well of as a woman they had to be married according to the male writers of the day. However, Anna was only married for seven years. I wonder how old Anna was when she married.  She lived to reach 84!

Every person born has a purpose. God assigns each of us some prophetic responsibility for the benefit of those around us. Such assignments may cause us to undergo hardships but it is the Lord’s work.  It doesn’t matter how we got where we are, or who we are, God knows what a community needs and you may just be the person chosen by God to bring them the Good News! Therefore, go and be Churched!

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

Let us pray: A Collect for Sundays (BCP p. 98)

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening,Psalms 138 and 139:

Isaiah 51:1-8; Galatians 3:23-29; Mark 7:1-23:

“Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many.” (Isaiah 51:2)

I think we Christians forget or deny the fact that we are Judeo Christians.  Jesus was a Palestinian Jew.  His first followers were all Jews, all of whom understood Abraham as their ancestral father.  And what was it about Abraham that made him so special?  He listened to, and obeyed God.  Abraham left what is now Iraq and went west following God’s leadership. 

It was Abraham’s faith and obedience that God so loved and wanted to spread among all people. His was a faith so strong that he would follow God even in committing the death of his son. The Israelite people are from the tradition of Abraham whose children went down to Egypt and were later taken out by Moses.  But the die of faith and belief was cast.  So we pick up from Paul to the Galatians where he says, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)

Today we remember Bridget of Kildare; Abbess (February 1, 523); and her information may be found at: Brigid of Kildare.

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

Let us pray: 

O God, whose wonderful deeds of old shine forth even to our own day, you once delivered by the power of your mighty arm your chosen people from slavery under Pharaoh, to be a sign for us of the salvation of all nations by the water of Baptism: Grant that all the peoples of the earth may be numbered among the offspring of Abraham, and rejoice in the inheritance of Israel; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 289)

Let us pray again: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 40, 54; Evening, Psalm 51;

Isaiah 50:1-11; Gal. 3:15-22; Mark 6:47-56:

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:3)

I hope and pray that people will look at me and have hope for themselves.  I even hope that they will see me and stand in awe of what God can do and put their trust in the Lord.  I don’t say this because I am a priest; I say this because I am a believer.  My life is not perfect.  But God is merciful and loving and works with me every day.  I have had all kinds of failures in my life; yet, here I am, healthy, double retired, loving and loved. I did not cause this of my own accord.  I listened to God and to the people God sent to talk to me, and I don’t think God is done with me yet.  I truly am a work in progress.

The same is true with you. You are not perfect.  But by believing in God and living the best life you are able to, God will meet you more than half way and will bless your efforts.  Please know this one truth, God will send you messages through others regarding the path you should take. Listen to the message! Obey the message! Life will turn around for you. Then others will see what God is doing in your life and draw others near to God through you. God blesses us and gives us a “pay-it-forward blessing” also.  God is Good, All the Time.

Today we remember Marcella of Rome Monastic and Scholar (410), John Bosco Priest, (1888) and Samuel Shoemaker, Priest and Evangelist, (1963); and their information may be found at: Marcella of Rome; John Bosco; and Samuel Shoemaker, respectively.

“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. 

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

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

Let us pray:

O God Almighty, without whom we would not be, but You would still be God, You loved us into being. Put a new song in our mouths, a song of praise to our God, a song of unconditional love. Amen.