onewhoponders

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

Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39: 

Deuteronomy 6:16-25; Hebrews 2:1-10; John 1:19-28:

“Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”  (Hebrews 2:1)

Hearing the Word is so important to living faithful lives.  We are blessed in our Church to weekly hear lessons from the Hebrew Testament, a Psalm or part of a Psalm, a New Testament reading and Words from the Gospel of Jesus.  We also hear a reflection on the words heard in a homily.

But our hearing is more than just this opening of our service.  We hear each other together as we pronounce what we believe in the words of the Creed.  In the same way we hear our collective selves pray to God for the welfare of our families, our church and clergy, our nation, for the sick and those who have passed. We hear all of our voices coming together and going to God in hope.

We also hear ourselves confess that we have done some wrong things and left some good works undone.  All of us have done this, or not done this.  We say it together, and we hear it together.

It is important to remember what the writer to the Hebrews says, “we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”  And while not everyone can hear, the deaf, who can’t hear,  live with us who can hear. They benefit and learn from us who can hear as we behave accordingly.  What we hear in our church service must be practiced in our everyday lives, at home and away, Monday back to Sunday again.  Weekly listening leads to loving lives. To drift away is to lose the hope of holding on to the life God wants for us.  

God speaks to us through us.  God has one mouth, Jesus, we have two ears so that we can double hear what God is saying as the Psalmist says, “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.” (Psalm 62:11 NRSV)

So Lent is the time in the Church year for people who have fallen away from the sound of the Word to come back within earshot of the Word. But like the Hebrews preacher says, for those of us who have been regular listeners to not just let what we’ve been hearing to become mundane but rather, “we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” 

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, our eternal heavenly Father, You have been made known to us in mouth-to-ear by words of faith and hope and love. Continue to us Your life giving words in all of our various languages in order that the whole human race, being attentive listeners, may be truly be one in You and You in us. Amen.

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

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15; 

Deuteronomy 6:10-15; Hebrews 1:1-14;  John 1:1-18: 

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

This is the opening of the Gospel of John.  What we must take away from this is that it is “Word” not book (Bible)!  In the beginning is the Word, not the Bible.  There is a difference.

The experiences of our relationship with God and God Incarnate was just that, Godly experiences. It was word of mouth about the Word of God.  Later we would put these experiences down in writing.  Perhaps first for Christians in Aramaic, the spoken language of Jesus and later in Greek the language of an occupied Middle East.  But in all translated recordings there are gaps, misrepresentations and mistakes due to languages that do not have words that fit the exact meanings. 

Later, the Greek was translated into Latin, and sometime later (for us) the Latin into our early English.  And now, into our American tongue and even that into various understandings, New International Version, King James, New Revised Standard Version, Message and many, many others. And all of these are English translations, English translations that even the word-smiths didn’t agree on.

Many people hold to every word of the Bible.  But the Bible has flaws due to mistranslations, mistakes and bias of the translator. Having said this, I still believe the Bible contains all things necessary for our salvation.  However, not everything in it is necessary for our salvation.  There is a difference.

All Biblically based faiths do a certain amount of picking and choosing about what words of the Bible they hold most sacred. This is especially true for New Testament or Christian faiths.  No exception.  We have to because of some of the contradictions therein contained.

What we can take real comfort in is that the Bible is only a written reflection of an interpretation of the Word that was with God, and is God.  The reading of the Bible must always be accompanied by loving prayer.  In this way we can truly hear what the Holy Spirit is really saying to God’s people. Loving prayer is our personal translator. 

Today we remember John and Charles Wesley; Renewers of the Church (March 3, 1791); and their information may be found at: John & Charles Wesley

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 Almighty God, You have no beginning and no end and yet came to us as one of us. You came to us and wrestled with Jacob and formed your people Israel. You Came to us as the Israelite Jesus, born of Mary, and even died for our sake. Bring us to You, Dear God, when our end comes in order that we may rest with You forever and ever; Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the Last Sunday in Epiphany: Year C

 Luke 9:28 to 43:             

“Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.” (Luke 9: 30)

It has been explained to me that Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets.  Therefore, to Jesus, comes the fulfillment of the Law, and the Prophets.

This scene is further testified to by Peter to others as found in 2^nd Peter 1:18. As Moses and Elijah appeared before Peter, James and John it is evidence of the resurrection of those who came before Jesus making Jesus the first fruits of creation. 

So how did Peter, James and John know who Moses and Elijah were?  There were no emails, or pictures that could have been shared. Perhaps this was another one of those examples where the Holy Spirit is filling in the gaps of our unknowing, a Revelation from God. 

This radiance of Jesus is the last holy light we will see for awhile.  Ash Wednesday is three days  away.  You won’t hear about Lent in the news or in the shopping centers.  The secular world goes from Valentine’s Day to Easter.  There is no money to be made with people reflecting on who God is calling them to be, or the reconciliation of relationships, or repentance.

Moses obeyed God and went back to Egypt to lead God’s chosen leaders out of bondage. Elijah and the prophets prophesied about the wrath to come if people didn’t change their ways.  Both were called to do dangerous work.  Both appeared before Jesus and were witnessed by new followers, Peter, James and John, who were also called to do dangerous work. As you are Christian, you too are called to step out of your comfort zone and follow God’s call for the benefit of others.

Many Episcopal parishes will switch to Rite One on Ash Wednesday, this coming Wednesday, and during Lent for Sunday Services in Lent. We will use the early English language. This is the Church in its purest form.   It is not about the market, or sales, or whatever the seasonal thing is. It is about the cloud of unknowing filling in gaps of understanding and providing reconciliation and opportunities for repentance.

Just a few sentences down in  Luke’s account of the Gospel in our reading for today, we will be informed by that cloud, that Jesus is God’s beloved son and that we are to “listen to him.”  And listening in this context means obeying. And Jesus says for us to “Follow Him.”

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: Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany (BCP p. 217)

O God, who before the passion of your only ­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 7^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 137 and144; Evening, Psalm 104

Ruth 4:1-17; 2^nd Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Matthew 6:1-6:

“So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16)

There is an existence beyond this existence. We all live in and discern this material world now.  But this is not the ultimate reality. The next existence will be an eternal existence!  We have all heard it said that as soon as we are born we begin the death process.  It sounds morbid, but there is much truth to it. These bodies are divinely designed to wear out.  I figured out in seminary that the most important work I was going to do as a priest is to conduct funerals for the faithful.  The leading theme of the Christian funeral is the Resurrection! Every funeral in the Episcopal Church is an Easter Service.  Whether he or she was remembered as good or bad they have left this existence.  What God does with them is far beyond my range of knowledge.  This truly is where we must “walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7 also part of today’s reading)

St Paul says that as our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.  But I don’t think it does it by itself.  I believe we must put forth effort to try and be better people in the here and now.  We are building our next bodies. 

“For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal;” (2 Cor. 4:17-18).  This is Paul again prophesying about our next life.  “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens;” (2 Cor. 5:1 also part of today’s reading).  Please pardon me here Paul, but there is only one small modification I would suggest here, and that is the word “if.”  You see, it is not “if” these bodies are destroyed… it is “when” these bodies are destroyed or just quit living as we know it. It is then that we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. But we need to be sending the new-body building materials on ahead of us so that that new body will be waiting for us.  We do this by living more loving and godly lives in this life every day.

Today we remember David (Dewi) Bishop of Whales (March 1, 544); and his information may be found at: St. David of Wales

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 7^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 140, 142; Evening, Psalms 141, 143:1-11(12) ;

Ruth 3:1-18; 2^nd Corinthians 4:1-12; Matthew 5:38-48:

 “For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2^nd Corinthians 4:6)

In Paul’s second letter to the Church in Corinth he speaks of “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4) The god of this world is truly a small “g” god.  This is a god of toxic human relations without God (big “G”) involved.  This is a god of greed, of power, of lust, of bigotry and all kinds of isms. It is a god of darkness. 

But we have a loving God who says, “Let Light shine out of darkness.”  You and I are told to take off the blinders and see. Believing in Jesus, we have in our hearts the light of knowledge of the glory of God (big “G”).  We are the light that God wants to shine in this present day world with full understanding that this world is dark.  People are walking around often in blind rage only because they can’t see a better way. You be that better way.  Be that light to the nations as spoke of from Simeon in Luke 2:31 – 34. “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

This light of Christ is still so very relevant today, maybe even more relevant than it was two thousand years ago.  The darkness of isms (racism, sexism, ageism, nationalism, all these isms are blinding us to what God wants for us.  But God has planted us here among the blind to be that light to the nations, all nations, all races, all sexes and genders and walks of life so that the whole world might see and be saved.  God loves and wants us all, every one, no exceptions.  Be that Light no matter how dark it seems to be where you are, because no matter where you are, God is with you.

Today we remember Anna Julia Haywood Cooper, Educator (1964); and her information may be found at: Anna Julia Hayward Cooper

“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: A Collect for the Renewal of Life (BCP p.99)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 7^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 131 and 132; Evening, Psalms 134 and 135:
Ruth 2:14-23; 2^nd Corinthians 3:1-18; Matthew 5:27-37:

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2^nd Corinthians 3:17)

Paul, who has encountered the Spirit of the Lord while traveling to Damascus, is well aware of the Spirit of the Lord. And we must also experience the freedom of the Spirit of the Lord.

Maybe we already have freedom. But it is the Spirit of the Lord that illumines our minds so that we realize it. Once we know that we have freedom, the freedom to make our own choices about whatever it is we want to do, we ponder the consequences to the point that we feel the price is too great, so we say we have no choice. But, we do.

Many Martyred Saints have chosen faith based righteousness over obedience to human governance to their own end, but it was a choice they were made aware of by the Holy Spirit of God in Christ Jesus. I am reminded here the words from our Book of Common Prayer, “For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens.”(BCP p.382).

To the extent that we believe that there is life after this life, we will choose freedom in the service of the Lord.

Today we remember George Herbert, Priest and Poet (February 27, 1633); and his information may be found at: George Herbert

Let us pray: A Collect for Peace (BCP p.99)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 7^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:145-176; Evening, Psalms 128, 129, 130;
Ruth 2:1-13; 2^nd Corinthians 1:23-2:17; Matthew 5:21-26

“You have heard that it was said… But I say to you…” (Matthew Chapter 5)

In Chapter 5 of the Gospel according to Matthew, our Lord Jesus, God Incarnate, reinterprets the Hebrew Testament. He covers a multitude of Levitical pronouncements, and he does this by stating the scripture, and then making more loving sense of it.  The Christian Testament God is the same God of the Hebrew Testament.

It is one thing to read the Bible and draw from it what we think the writer intended for us to learn. The writers of both Testaments were inspired by our One God and limited by the writers use of whatever language he had, and there have been many translations over the centuries.  And, with all writings, there is always a personal bias based on that writers life experience.

I think we indeed should read the Bible, but with an open and loving mind. Perhaps reading the Bible with other open minded and loving people would be helpful also. I also believe we have a personal responsibility to reject any unloving actions we are told, even if a particular writer says that God decreed it. I would rather face God in the next life guilty of over using love than to face God having used scripture as a means of revenge, retribution or retaliation. God is love, loves us, and wants us to love one another.

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.288)

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 our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 7^th Week of Epiphany: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 121, 122, 123; Evening, Psalms 124, 125, 126;

Ruth 1:15-22; 2^nd  Corinthians 1:12-22; Matthew 5:13-20:

“But Ruth said, “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die— there will I be buried. May the Lord do thus and so to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you!” When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.” (Ruth 1:16 – 18)

This passage from Ruth is probably one of the most precious words I have ever heard or read.  I am moved by Ruth’s close attachment to her mother-in-law.  But more than that, she found someone with something she wanted – something she has never seen before but worth getting and keeping no matter the cost.

Every human being should have another human being that they could put such hope and trust in. Ruth is not replacing God for Naomi, but Ruth sees something godly in Naomi, something she has not seen in any Moabite or other person ever. Perhaps something she didn’t see in her husband before he died, who was the son of Naomi.  But it is very important to Ruth that she not let it slip away from her, that she not let Naomi slip away from her, even to death.

I once read where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If a man has not found something he is willing to die for, he is not fit to live.”  My heroes change as I get older.  I now seek out the quiet, soft spoken wise ones. They no longer have to be big and tough. Toughness can come in small packages. Folks like Naomi (or Ruth for that matter) will work just fine.

Today we remember John Roberts, Priest (1949); and his information may be found at: John Roberts

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 Almighty God, Creator and Lover of all creation, You want us to live, learn and love one another always. Put in our paths we pray those among us who are the leading lights to the righteous way of life in order that we too, like Ruth, may so dedicate ourselves to mentors who are gifted and guided by You in order that we find our way to Your heavenly Temple not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. Amen.

Morning, Psalm 106:1-18; Evening, Psalm 106:19-48

Ruth 1:1-14; 2^nd Corinthians 1:1-11; Matthew 5:1-12

“Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Of the Beatitudes I tend to gravitate toward the peacemakers.  Most of the beatitude people are passive in nature, that is, they are in a passive state of being, such as; poor in spirit, in a state of morning, meek, hungry, merciful, and have pure hearts but are persecuted.

Only the Peacemakers are initiating positive action and engaging others in the process.  They are not waiting to be victims although trouble may come to them. They are actively involved in making relationships better. They are putting themselves in the throes of trouble for the purpose of bringing the kingdom of heaven near to us.  They are doing relationship building that makes us look more like the God in Whose Image we are created; our God who is in relationship with God’s self and us.

To be a Peacemaker one must get out and be involved in the action of helping to resolve conflict and problems.  It can be frustrating work.  People fight about anything; race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, money, jealousy, politics, religion and a host of other minor issues.  And, they are all minor issues.

There is a lot of work to be done for peacemakers.  As peacemakers are called the children of God, this child’s work is never done.

Today we remember St. Matthias, the replacement for Judas the apostle as reported in the Acts of the Apostles.

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 Peace BCP p. 815)

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Eucharistic Readings for the Seventh Sunday of Epiphany: Year C

Genesis 45:3 to11 and 15; Psalm 37:1 to12 and 41to 42; 1^st Corinthians 15:35-38 and 42-50;  Luke 6:27-38

 “Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

If we listen closely we will understand that Jesus is not speaking to everybody.  He is only talking to those of us who will “listen.”  And to listen in this context means to follow the inherent instruction.  The instruction is to love everybody which includes those you have issues with.

All of us know full well we can have issues even with our own family members as well as people we work with. Jesus makes it easy for our relationships to not be about us losing. We must have in the mind of our heart, the words, “Let Love Lead” or (LLL). Love, Paul says, does not insist on its own way (1^st Corinthians 13).  In this way we don’t have to struggle with what response (or God forbid, retaliation) to do.  We just LLL. (the Triple L) , or 3L.

Emotions are going to happen. We are human.  And we sometimes say things like,  “I hate you”  or “I wish you were never born.” We often use words that describe what we felt at the time, only to regret them later.  So let’s see; how about words like frustration or disappointment to describe the temporary nature or our ever-changing emotions?  When anger tries to kick in, deny it, do not make room in your heart for it.  Say no to anger but instead go into your vocabulary closet and pick out something more suitable, more Jesus-like to wear. Outfits like the dark suits of frustration or disappointment will work nicely for such occasions. Dump the anger suit in the dumpster.

Frustration and disappointment heal quickly and never leave the realm of love.  And please know that God has already gifted us with the capacity to love everybody.  If you can be frustrated or disappointed with certain people like family or friends, you can be frustrated or disappointed with anybody. If you can love certain people like family and friends, that you don’t always agree with, you can love all people.  Love is an inexhaustible resource not a scarcity that we will run out of. 

Are you listening to me right now? Remember, Jesus is only talking to those of us who are “listening.”  And his message is clear, Let Love Lead;  LLL.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

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 this 7^th Sunday of Epiphany: Year C

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.