onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the First Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalms 19 and 46:  
Deuteronomy 9:23 to 10:5; Hebrews 4:1to 10; John 3:16 to 21:

“So then, a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4: 9 and 10)

Today is Thursday, but the gift of God’s Sabbath begins tomorrow evening. This has not changed according to the writer of the letter to the Hebrews, and even our Lord Jesus observed it.  Worshiping on Sunday is fine and proper for Christians, but I don’t feel we are excused from resting from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Rest is not worship, it is rest.

Sometimes I think the human need to “micro-manage” one another required us to meet together in order to ensure no one was “working.’  However, the  worship team, (clergy and laity) are technically working. I feel we need to have time to ourselves, un-monitored, unsupervised, self regulated, and trusted to truly rest and ponder about God.

I am still working on this shift in my spiritual life.  I’m getting there.  I must remember that our Lord Jesus said on many occasions that it is okay to do the necessary things even on the Sabbath: things like comforting the sick, putting out fires, standing guard against bad people and so forth. We go against the idea of a communal Sabbath rest when we spend time with household chores, organizing get-togethers, and running errands; even participating in public worship.  None of these are God’s idea of Rest. “For those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.” 

The Sabbath should be a time of meditation and perhaps small informal gatherings of very close spiritual friends for prayer, light food and drink, and the sharing of blessings. It is not a time of detailed preparation.  It is a time of contemplative reflection, a time to do nothing. Every Sabbath is a gift of time from God. Let us not refuse, or reject such a loving present. This sharing is in no way an attempt to undermine our Christian worship traditions. But I don’t believe we are excused from obeying God’s instruction to observe the Sabbath Day, the seventh day, which is still understood universally to be Saturday.

Today we remember James Theodore Holly, Bishop and Doctor (March 13, 1911) and his information may be found at: James Theodore Holly.

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

Let us pray: For Quiet Confidence (BCP p. 832)

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning Psalm 119:49 to 72; Evening Psalm 49;
Deuteronomy  9:13 to 21; Hebrews 3:12 to 19; John 2:23 to 3:15 

“So I took hold of the two tablets and flung them from my two hands, smashing them before your eyes.” (Deuteronomy 9:17)

Moses has again interceded for the wayward Israelites.  God planned to destroy them and then began again with Moses as their ancient Patriarch instead of Abraham.  But Moses declined and asked God to let him go to the people to bring them back to God.  However upon finding them creating an idol, a false god, Moses broke the stone tablets, symbolizing the Israelites braking covenant with God. Moses remained steadfast in his resolve to bring the Israelites back to God, not just to the promised land, but also their hearts to the ways of God. I think God really liked Moses advocating for the Israelites.

God knows what is in the heart of every person, just as our Lord Jesus does.  This is brought out in our Gospel reading for today.  “But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone;” (John 2: 24 and 25).  Remember,  Jesus already knew what was in Nathanael when Philip brought him to Jesus. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”  Jesus also already knew what was in the heart of Judas, his betrayer.  We can fool each other, but we can’t fool God in Christ Jesus, ever.

We get lost and we break covenant and we seek after the things we make with our own hand so much so that they somehow become idols, the focus of too much of our attention.  We must remember that God, through Christ Jesus, knows whereof we are made and what’s on our hearts and minds.  We should always pray for our Lord God to cleanse the thoughts of our hearts in order that we might become a more faithfully focused people.

Today we remember Gregory the Great, Bishop and Doctor (March 12, 604) and his information may be found at: Gregory the Great.

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

Let us pray: A Prayer of Self-Dedication (BCP p. 832)                       

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;
Deuteronomy 9:4-12; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 2:13-22:

“Know, then, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people. (Deuteronomy 9:6)

I find it very interesting that God replaces a people of wickedness with a stubborn people.  The people who previously occupied the land that God was giving to the Israelites were a wicked people that displeased God. “When the Lord your God thrusts them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to occupy this land’; it is rather because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you;”( Deuteronomy 9:4).

Stubbornness can work to God’s purposes if we are “righteously” stubborn. In the Conversion of Saul to Paul, Saul was more stubborn than wicked, he thought he was doing what the Lord wanted. But his stubbornness was made useful by meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus; (Acts 9).

What drive do we have that leads us to do what we do? Is such a drive evil or good? To be forceful about pursuing God’s plan for us being righteously stubborn. But it means insisting on loving God and loving our neighbors, no matter what. Such an attitude about being stubborn in this way moves God to make a way for us. it means that with our righteously stubbornness, we might replace those who show themselves to be wicked in the world.  It is in this way that God’s kingdom comes, on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

Let us pray:

O Lord God, you know that we can be a stiff-necked people, determined to travel a path not pleasing to You. Be with us Dear Lord, lead us and guide us in all our travels in order that with our God-given determination and stubbornness, we may walk the paths pleasing in your sight with fervency and zeal. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;
Deuteronomy 9:4-12; Hebrews 3:1-11; John 2:13-22:

“Know, then, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people. (Deuteronomy 9:6)

I find it very interesting that God replaces a people of wickedness with a stubborn people.  The people who previously occupied the land that God was giving to the Israelites were a wicked people that displeased God. “When the Lord your God thrusts them out before you, do not say to yourself, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to occupy this land’; it is rather because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you;”( Deuteronomy 9:4).

Stubbornness can work to God’s purposes if we are “righteously” stubborn. In the Conversion of Saul to Paul, Saul was more stubborn than wicked, he thought he was doing what the Lord wanted. But his stubbornness was made useful by meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus; (Acts 9).

What drive do we have that leads us to do what we do? Is such a drive evil or good? To be forceful about pursuing God’s plan for us is being righteously stubborn. But it means insisting on loving God and loving our neighbors, no matter what. Such an attitude about being stubborn in this way moves God to make a way for us. it means that with our righteously stubbornness, we might replace those who show themselves to be wicked in the world.  It is in this way that God’s kingdom comes, on earth, as it is in heaven.

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

Let us pray:

O Lord God, you know that we can be a stiff-necked people, determined to travel a path not pleasing to You. Be with us Dear Lord, lead us and guide us in all our travels in order that with our God-given determination and stubbornness, we may walk the paths pleasing in your sight with fervency and zeal. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 1^st Week of Lent: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;  
Deuteronomy 8:11-20; Hebrews 2:11-18; John 2:1-12:

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

I think the writer/s of the Gospel according to John rely on other versions of the Gospel being read, in part because it is thought to be the last one written. In the Gospel according to John we do not get the name of the mother of Jesus. We must read the synoptic Gospels to learn her name is Mary.

Mary has raised and lived with Jesus all of his earthly life until his wandering off to Capernaum. She is well aware of his ability to supply the needs of herself and all in need. She petitions Jesus to provide wine, He grumbles, but does as asked. Even while Jesus grumbles, Mary turns her attention to the servants (us) and says, “Do whatever he tells you.”

For me, there are two lessons here. First, when we pray for Jesus to do something, consider it done and move on. Second, Jesus required the servants (us) to be fully involved in the heavy lifting in the miracle. They didn’t turn on faucets to fill the barrels, they had to haul water in buckets to the barrels.

Maybe obeying Jesus is more important than worshiping Jesus. Ponder deeper please.

Today we remember Harriet Ross Tubman, Social Reformer (1913) and her information may be found at: Harriet Ross Tubman

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

Let us pray: (BCP p. 214 & 252)

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the 1^st Sunday of Lent: Year C:

Luke 4:1-13

 “It is written, It is written, It is said. ” (Luke 4)

As very young men my brother and I would often travel with my dad on long road trips driving an 18 wheeler. We moved household goods for United Van Lines.  On one occasion we took with us another young person whom I will call Boston.  Boston was under 18 years of age at the time.

We found ourselves booked on a trip that took us through western Canada.  We could not take Boston because he was under age with no ID and we would not be able to get him back into the U.S. All this took place well before today’s visa requirements.  So we bought him a bus ticket from Sweetgrass, Montana to Seattle, Washington.  My dad’s words to him were, “No matter what, he was to stay at the bus station in Seattle, no matter what.”  We knew when he should be there and we would be there at the same time.  At least, that was the plan.

Boston was tempted by neighborhood gangs, and by a pretty lady to leave the bus station and go with them.  He would not. He had my dad’s words still running through his head, “Don’t Leave the Bus Station.”  Finally, The police came to investigate him because he just hung around and didn’t seem to leave.  We were late getting into Seattle due to forest fires in western Canada.  As we were descending down a down-town street, on our left we saw two policemen talking to Boston.  My dad yelled out of the window, “He’s mine, I’m going to park and I’ll be right back.”

When we walked back to the bus station and accompanied Boston I noticed that Boston had been crying.  He then shared with me the events that took place, He said a group of young men came by and told him that he would have to leave because this was their turf.  He was afraid but had to remain at the bus station like dad said.  Next a young woman who worked there got off work and offered him to her place to relax and that she would bring him back when we got there. But he stuck to my dad’s instruction to stay at the station.

He said what really broke him was the policemen approaching and asking him for identification. He had none and the day had been long waiting for us to show up.  It was during the questioning of the police that they heard my dad’s voice say, “He’s mine, I’m going to park and I’ll be right back.”

Jesus anchored himself to the words of scripture which helped him overcome evil temptations.  Three times he was tempted. Three times he remembered words from scripture and teachings that kept him from straying from safety.  Boston was tempted three times to leave the bus station. But he was anchored to my dad’s words.  All of us need words that assist us in doing what is right.  Such words may come from a hymn, or a poem, or a Psalm, or a Bible passage, or the quote from a parent or pastor.  The main thing is, that we ought to have an anchor to keep us secure during the storms and threats of life.  And when you find yourself tempted, speak boldly about your conviction to stay the course.

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

Let us pray: (First Sunday in Lent, BCP p. 218)

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the Last Week after the Epiphany: Year 1:

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32;  Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;   

Deuteronomy 7:17-26;  Titus 3:1-15;  John 1:43-51:

“Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’” (John 1: 49)

When I think of the people called by Jesus to follow him I have missed Philip.  I remember James and John; and Simon Peter and Andrew; and I remember Levi being called from the tax booth.  But I somehow missed Philip.  Then Philip goes and invites Nathanael.  So when I miss Philip, I also miss Nathanael.

We know from verses just before this one that Nathanael and Jesus pondered about one another.  Nathanael pondered if any good could come out of Nazareth. And Jesus pondered about Nathanael being a man in whom there is no deceit.  So we know that in spite of Nazareth being the Sodom and Gomorrah of their day, Jesus, who is God incarnate, comes to them from there.  And we know that Nathanael is a good man because Jesus has said so. He is a man without deceit. So what is it about Nathanael?

I ponder about what Nathanael was experiencing when he was under the fig tree before Philip called him.  The moment that Jesus mentioned that he saw him before Philip called him; that he was with him under the fig tree. It must have been something special. It was so life changing that Nathanael said to Jesus, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” What was going on with Nathanael?  Was he crying? Was he contemplating suicide?  Was he visited by God with great joy?  We don’t know.  What we do know is that Nathanael experienced a life-change of some sort. And because Jesus knows what was going on in his life, he sees Jesus not just as Rabbi, but as Son of God, as King of Israel.

Where are the holy experiences in our lives, our secrete lives, under our own fig tree where Jesus sees us and then lets us know that we have been seen as he did Nathanael?  How do we become as appreciated by Jesus as Nathanael was? I believe we already are.

I believe that when Jesus/God sends us to someone God also prepares that someone to receive us.  And not always does the person we are sent to, or who is sent to us, made aware of it.  Many times God speaks to us through us. So we need to be careful.  Who was the Philip that God sent to you about Jesus?  What was the holy time and place (fig tree) of your life?  Name the person. Name the place. Name the time. To do so is healing. We all have those Nathanael- fig tree moments.  It doesn’t mean that we are pure, but it does mean that Jesus sees us at those life-changing moments and only you and Jesus know what’s happening.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to 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 Last Week of Epiphany: Year 1

 Morning, Psalms 95* & 31;   Evening, Psalm 35; 

Deuteronomy 7:12-16; Titus 2:1-15; John 1:35-42:

“When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon.” (John 1:38 – 39)

I don’t know if the writer of John was intentionally making this connection but he has Jesus going back to where he was staying and inviting his new “potential” followers to “come and see.”  Moreover, we are given a time reference of four o’clock in the afternoon, and then Andrew goes to get his brother Simon and return. This happens in this introduction of a call to follow Jesus. 

We understand that Jesus was crucified on what we call Good Friday at noon.  We think he died at three in the afternoon.  I ponder then that Jesus’ engagement with Andrew and the other follower of John the Baptist, was during these hours and a foreshadowing of Jesus coming to us and dragging those of us, who are curious enough, to follow him back to his heavenly kingdom.

The key question however comes to us from Jesus as he asks, “What are you looking for?”  I wish we had them to answer the question.  But they don’t.  They respond to the question with a question, “Where are you staying?”  Let us respond to Jesus.  What are we looking for?  More personally, what are you looking for?

I think curiosity and searching is a part of our human make-up.  I think we are born to search.  God made us that way on purpose.  However we get to choose “What” or “Who” we will search for.  We have searched to the ends of the earth just to see if it had an end.  We are searching the outer most reaches of space and the depths of the seas. Archeologists dig without knowing what they will find; they just search and try to make sense of what they find.  We are searching for cures to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.  We look now at our own genetic make-up so that we can search further into who we are.  Search, search, search, it’s what we do. So when Andrew and the other disciple looked into the eyes of “All Answers” they could only ask, “Where are you staying?”

Interestingly, when these searchers found Jesus, Jesus often re-identified them.  Jesus changed Simon to Peter and later Saul to Paul, new names for a new search.  So you get to fill in the blank of “I am in search of _________________.  Who will this search cause you to be, or become?  In many ways I am like the archeologists; I just ponder and try to make sense of what I find.  But for all of us we only have to follow Jesus and look into the eyes of “All Answers” and ask “Where are you staying?” My prayer for you and for me is, that Jesus still says, “Come and see.”

Today we remember Perpetua and Felicity; Martyrs at Cartage (March 7, 202) and their information may be found at: Perpetua & Her Companions.

“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 to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 100)

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the Last Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 37:1-18; Evening, Psalm 37:19-42   
Deuteronomy 7:6-11; Titus 1:1-16; John 1:29-34:

“It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 7: 7 and 8)

I believe the Lord God loves all people, believers and non-believers alike. However, I think there was something special about the early Israelite people. I believe that it was in Egyptian captivity that they learned to make bread, and this tradition stayed with them even after they were freed, albeit it was “unleavened” bread due to time constraints.  Before Egypt they were wandering herdsmen with no regular fields of wheat or ovens in which to bake.  I also believe that the early Hebrew people learned to write their own history while captive in Babylon, because we learn later that it was there that they began writing the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible.  So why did God favor the Israelites?

I truly believe God called them to spread the faith of One God to all people and to support this Truth with bread and pen. All humanity can benefit from this rich history. The early Israelites seemed to learn best when in bondage. This captivity also translates into some of the Monastic traditions of many of our Christian Saints, even though their seclusion was self-made.

We, today, can borrow from this God-focused tradition by setting aside some quiet time for prayer and study, especially during our Holy Season of Lent. Let us eat our bread and record our prayerful experiences during Lent and then share with those who do not yet know about how wonderful and loving God is.

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

Let us pray: For Quiet Confidence (BCP p.832)

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Readings for Ash Wednesday:  (All Years)

Joel 2:1-2,12-17; Psalm 103; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6,16-21:

 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

This statement is so true.  But it’s a little misleading.  It almost implies that the treasure comes before the heart’s desire.  But it’s the other way around.  You see our money and resources follow our desires. Our heart is already there.  When we get money or something of value we use it to navigate to where our desires, our hearts, lead us,.  And here’s the thing, we get to say what our heart’s desire is. We also get the opportunity to adjust it, to say what we want to like or love.

Often we cannot follow our hearts desire because we don’t have the resources to do so.  Years back in our Diocese we wanted to increase money in our retired clergy fund.  We wanted to ensure that our retired clergy had enough to live on.  At that time giving was low but our desire to do this was strong.  I remember being at an Executive Council Meeting where I said, “Our hearts have taken us places that our checkbooks can’t follow.” Our Diocesan Treasurer remembered my words and as I have spoken to her recently, she still reminds me of that time.

This same thing still happens to us today.  And sometimes it is a good thing.  I am often pleased that I didn’t have the money to buy a boat years ago.  I have come to realize that it was not something that I really wanted, or needed. While this desire does not hold true for all, some should have a boat as did Peter, James and John.  But as I get older the distance between my wants and needs shrinks. I am closer to wanting only what I truly need.  I’m not completely there yet. I’m still a work in progress but I can see where I’m headed.  The Lenten season can help me get a clearer perspective on my wants and needs by practicing needs first.

Finally, I have come to understand that I cannot adjust my own heart’s desire.  I need help. I need God to step in and gently move my desires to that that is pleasing to God.  It is taking me a long time to realize that God will send me that that is pleasing both to God, and to me.  This is made manifest in the people put in my path as well as vocational adjustments in community.  This adjustment is a cleansing from God.  And it takes God to do it but we first have to want it, while not knowing what “it” is.  I am so glad to pray our Collect for Purity every Sunday and it is only fitting that I recall those words as I close this page for today. 

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

Let us pray: “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 worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.” (BCP p. 355)