onewhoponders

The Gospel Reading for All Saints Day 2024

John 11: 32 to 44

Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Again, there is so much packed into this Gospel reading. We begin here in the middle of Jesus coming to Bethany and has already spoken with Martha, apparently to no avail.

Jesus now engages with her sister Mary who says the exact same thing, that is, “If you had been here my brother would not have died.” These are the same words used by Martha. Jesus met Martha in her blaming unbelief and he met Mary in her sad but anxious faith in Jesus. Jesus meets us where we are.

And then we have “the Jews.”  We must be careful here and remember that all were Jews but the writer of John’s Gospel lumps Temple authorities as a separate group of mainly critics of Jesus.  Such writing could lead one to think that Jesus was not Jewish, but indeed, he was, and kept all of the Jewish traditions and festivals. We Christians need to ponder what this means deeper than we do.

When Martha reveals her unbelief in her complaint about the stench, Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”  Martha was initially telling Jesus what she thought Jesus wanted to hear. She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.” (John 11:27)

But Martha’s words were lip service as she later revealed her fear of moving the stone that covered her brother’s tomb. As we follow the teachings of Jesus we become more than disciples, we become saints. And yes, we have fears and doubts, but faith covers all. We come here every Sunday and say the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer and then we go back outside and tell folks not to move the stone.  Perhaps the stench emanates from our lack of faith? We shouldn’t try to tell Jesus what we think Jesus wants to hear. Jesus knows the truth about us, and will still meet us where we are today.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (BCP 245)

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalms 138 and 139:
Ecclesiasticus. 35:1to17; Revelation 13:11to18; Luke 12:32to48

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Luke 12: 34)

I really had to look at this passage closely. I have heard that if you really want to know what a person’s priorities are just look at their checkbook, or perhaps today, their receipts, as fewer people are writing actual checks today. The point is the same, what we really care about is revealed by where we put our money.

This means our money follows our heart’s desire rather than our hearts following our money. Money, all by itself, has no desire at all. Some of us may not have the money that will allow us to follow our heart’s desire.  That doesn’t mean we don’t have desires.  Of course we do.

I think the most important lesson here is that we can learn to love and desire what God wants us to desire, and that is, to do God’s will. Over the years I have outgrown some selfish desires in life.  I don’t care about fancy cars, or clothes anymore. Unfortunately I had to experience some of these things to realize they aren’t that important. Blessed is the person who has never had these material things and never wanted them.

Real happiness for me now is seeing to it that others have the simple things in life, food, health care, housing, education, and a way to get around as they need to. My happiness in part, is based on the happiness of my neighbor. I believe this is the desire that God wants me to have.  So where is my treasure?

I give to my church and to charitable organizations. I join clubs and organizations who also share my desire to care for the poor and disenfranchised. I know my little treasure won’t bring an end to their plight but it makes me feel better and brings some joy to my heart, knowing that I helped with some relief for them.

Money is not meant to be worshiped but it will reveal the nature of our worship. We are to love God and love our neighbor. As far as I know, God does not need any money.  Some of our neighbors do. These are the neighbors we are asked by God to love. Loving our neighbor should be our heart’s desire.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia; Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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 Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 40 and 54; Evening, Psalm 51;
Ecclesiasticus 34:1to 8 and 18to22; Revelation 13:1to10; Luke 12:13-31:

“Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”  (Luke 12: 18 and 19)

This Gospel of Luke is not written against the rich.  Often the rich in this Gospel contribute to the poor.  But Luke’s Gospel does get to the heart and soul of where those with wealth may do their worst works.

In this reading for today the rich landowner never considers those less fortunate than himself; that he might follow the biblical mandate to not glean your field completely, thus leaving something for the needy.  He just figures out a way to keep more for himself.  He even talks to his soul, his direct connection to God.  Our souls just want us to gravitate towards the kingdom of God.

Jesus gives several examples of how fruitless it is to not be rich towards God. Jesus warns that life in nature is fed better, and dressed better, than humans who try to do this for themselves at the neglect of those who have next to nothing. The man’s own soul would not be in agreement with his intentions to hoard his blessings.  And in fact, his soul will be taken back by God that day.

Jesus tells him (and us), “Do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.  For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well, (Luke 12: 29 to 31).  This reminds me of the hymn, “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.” It is a beautiful hymn from our “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Hymnal.

Jesus informs us that our Heavenly Father knows we need food and provisions in order to live healthy lives.  While we need these things they should not become idols that replace God in our lives.  As citizens of heaven, temporarily visiting earth, we should never forget whose we are.

Today is All Saints Day! I will ponder All Saints Day on Sunday November 3^rd.

“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

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia; Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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 Almighty God, be present in our understanding that all we have comes from you and often we are meant to share our overabundance with those who have not, and know not how to achieve it. But all of us are yours and we are meant to care for and love each other. Help us O Lord God to know this and behave accordingly; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalm 33;
Ecclesiasticus. 31:12to18 and 25to32:2; Revelation 12:7to17; Luke 11:53to12:12

“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.  But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4 to 7)

I ponder several points from this Gospel passage.  First, our bodies will yield its soul back to the Lord, sooner or later.  No one knows how much time on this earth they have.  But “on this earth” is not the end.  At our death, “life is changed, not ended.” (BCP 382)

I used to misinterpret this passage.  I used to think the writer was talking about a human taking the life of another human.  But I have come to understand this as fearing God, who after calling us back to the Creator then decides where we go from that point. God is the One to be feared, or at least respected in great reverence. We humans are a part of creation like the sparrows.  I do believe God prizes us as the flagship of creation and holds us up as special given that God came to dwell with us, as one of us.

Lastly, the language of God counting the hairs of our head is the best explanation that could be given to let the people of that day know that there is nothing about us that the Creator doesn’t know.  Today we would say God made every molecule of us and put together our DNA.  This language would not have made sense two thousand years ago.  It is God whom we must go to concerning our health. It is God who is the ultimate doctor as expressed through the healings of Jesus. But more importantly, it is God whom we must go to for our spiritual health.  It is in the spiritual domain that we will have eternal life. God is the ultimate Spiritualist as revealed in the Gospel of John 4: 24.

Today our Church remembers Bishops Paul Shinji Sasaki of Japan and Philip Lnedel Tsen of China and their information can be found at: Paul Shinji Sasaki & Philip Lendel Tsen

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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:

All Mighty God, Creator and Sustainer and Lover of all souls, it is to you whom we must return. Please keep each of us ever-mindful of our inevitable presence with You where we will be subject to Your judgment, with mercy and love; help us to live loving lives; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:49-72; Evening, Psalm 49;
Ecclesiasticus 28:14to26; Revelation 12:1-6; Luke 11:37to52

“As you fence in your property with thorns, so make a door and a bolt for your mouth.  As you lock up your silver and gold, so make balances and scales for your words. Take care not to err with your tongue, and fall victim to one lying in wait.”  (Ecclesiasticus 28:24to 26)

This reading from Ecclesiasticus for today begins with the destruction that slander can cause.  Slander is a weapon of the tongue.  And as we can see this passage ends back with the warning of the tongue, that is, the mouth and the hurtful words our mouths can produce.

There are other places in the Bible that caution us about the harm that the tongue can cause.  Most notable for Christians is the letter of James where he writes,  “For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.”  (James 3:7 to 9)                                                                 

How often we might say something we really don’t mean, or, say something in a heated moment from which we have moved on, and feel differently later.  Sometimes it doesn’t have to be heated. It is just what we thought or believed at the time. I tell my listeners all the time that what they think or feel today, if we are open to evolve, we could change closer to the Truth as we learn more.  Therefore we must respect where others are on their journey and also realize we too could change as we learn.  We should guard against what we might say, always.  I use a personal mantra to help me remember not to speak too freely.  I call it dust, and it stands for, “Don’t Unnecessarily Share Thoughts.”  If I remember to use this word management tool it helps me, and prevents me from saying something I may regret later. Feel free to use it for yourself.

Today we remember John Wyclif; Translator and Controversialist, (30 October 1384). His information can be found at: John Wyclif.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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 Lord God Almighty, help us we pray, to be careful about the words we use as we speak to, or, about others. Help us to remember that all people are loved by you, including ourselves. So, therefore Lord God, also help us to not denigrate ourselves with words as we speak even of ourselves or others. All this we ask in your most Holy Name; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48
Ecclesiasticus 24:1to12; Revelation 11:14to19; Luke 11:27to36

“While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” (Luke 11: 27 and 28)

This verse above sounds like the words for praying the Rosary. “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.”  Also, in her words she advocates for the mother’s role in God’s salvation plan. However, as far as blessings go, Jesus points to those of us who hear, and more importantly, obey, the will of God.

Jesus was teaching and preaching to the crowds. And, “When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation,” (Luke 11: 29 and 30).  Could Jesus be using this old Hebrew story as an analogy about his salvation purpose for our life?  Could our Lord Jesus be saying that just being able to quote a Bible chapter and verse is nothing if we don’t learn from it and live our lives according to its lesson?  I think so.

Jesus will go on to tell them (and us) that, “The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!” (Luke 11: 32)

Jesus walked among us as an example of how to live a loving life in harmony with one another. As I have noticed our Lord Jesus in his travels, other than teaching and preaching, he was healing and feeding.  God, in Christ Jesus, in his human form, was a nurturer. Nurturing is not just a role for mothers.  It is not only okay for non-mothers to be considerate and compassionate, it is who God in Christ Jesus made us all to be, men and women, just like the example he himself set for us. in this way, we bless one another.

Today we remember James Hannington and the Martyrs of Uganda (29 October 1885), and information about this can be found at; James Hannington & His Companions.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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 Almighty God, Creator and Lover of all souls, you blessed us with memory, reason and skill in order that we might also be a blessing to one another. I pray Dear God, make us all aware that obeying the love-call you planted in us is the very blessing we must share to fulfill and obey your will for all humanity. In this we pray; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 25: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 41and 52; Evening, Psalm 44
Ecclesiasticus 19:4to17; Revelation 11:1to14; Luke 11:14to26:

“But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” (Luke 11:15)

Jesus was casting out demons and putting people back in their right minds.  And instead of being thankful, some in the crowds wanted to be critical of the source of Jesus’ ability. It can be disheartening when we struggle to do something good and then are accused of doing the good work for self-serving or self-glorification purposes. 

We are again at the height of national politicking in this country.  We are a few days now from elections at every level. I have seen good works from people in both of our major parties; from the presidential office down to the local state and county representatives. If we really look, we can find the good works that they all do. We can find good works from both the ones leaving office, as well as those desiring to replace them. 

In our faith history, the scriptures, in particular Ezra, is recorded good works done by two kings of Persia who were not Hebrews but by the power of God, Cyrus and Darius, assisted the Hebrew people in the re-establishment of Jerusalem (Ezra, chapters 1 through 6). These kings gained nothing from these godly acts.  But both believed that God Almighty wanted them to do this good work. They did it not for themselves, but because it pleased God.

Our Lord Jesus also informs his critics to understand that God works in mysterious ways. He said to them about his casting out the demon, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you” (Luke 11:20).

God is all about good and holy works. You and I don’t do good works. God does good works through our faith. Let us not be confused about the real source of the good works that we do. The finger of God is still at work in this world because the kingdom of God has come to us.

Today we remember St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles (October 28) and their information can be found at: St. Simon and St. Jude.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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, help us to not be dismayed by negative criticism when doing that which is pleasing in your sight. Keep us, we pray, always showing your presence in this world today; Amen.

The Gospel Reading and pondering for Sunday of Proper 25: Year B

Mark 10:46-52

“So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.” (Mark 10:50)

This is the healing story of blind Bartimaeus son of Timaeus who asks for his sight again.  What is often kind of glossed over is Bartimaeus throwing off his cloak.  Think about it, if you are blind you become well aware of keeping up with things so that you can put your hands on it again. I have my sight and still, I lose things all the time, my keys, my phone, my glasses, many things. But if we can’t see, we cling to items such as clothing, canes and cups. They are essential in our day to day lives. such items are our security blankets.

We also must consider that the blindness of Bartimaeus can be a metaphorical blindness. Bartimaeus was once able to see. But somewhere in his life he lost his sight. Perhaps somewhere in our lives we lost our sense of what is right and godly. And now, we want it back.

Bartimaeus was not born blind as was another person in our Gospel, he once could see, and knowing he has the opportunity to stand (or kneel) before our Lord Jesus, the giver of all good gifts and graces, throws off his cloak.  He lets go of his security blanket knowing that being before Jesus will make all things new and secure again, and forever!

The same is true for us today. What is it that we truly want?  What are we willing to let go of in order to get what we want?  Remember, what we have now, for the most part, is a sense of false security, if not a false reality.  The only way we can get back to seeing rightly again is to put our whole trust in our Lord Jesus by letting go of false security and illusions. 

Our Lord Jesus asks us today, “What is it that we want Him to do for us?”  What say yee?  More than that, what will you do, even in the midst of people telling you to be still and be quiet? God telling us to be still and be quiet is one thing; our neighbors pretending to have the wisdom of God is another. Ask Bartimaeus.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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

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 Proper 24: Year 2

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

Ecclesiasticus 15:9 to 20; Revelation 10:1to11; Luke 11:1to13

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”  (Luke 11: 9 and 10) 

I think having a curious mind is a human characteristic.  Perhaps other creatures as well, for example, some birds, cats and apes, but most definitely, human beings. We search for answers for all sorts of things.

Asking a question is the beginning of learning.  We can often get an idea about the intellectual depth of a person by the questions they ask.  But asking in our Gospel reading has to do with asking for help.  A man wants to borrow some bread from a neighbor in order that he might have food for his guests.  Jesus’ point is that if he is persistent in asking he will be get what he needs.

Searching for something missing is often challenging.  We have to have some idea of what we are looking for and believe it is findable.  Sometimes what we are looking for is hidden in plain sight. And sometimes we are “in search of,” we really don’t know what.  But we believe we will know it when we see it.

Knocking on a door is human specific.  We want in.  It could be a place of employment, or a club, or a school, or a church.  We need to be careful about knocking on doors.  Sometimes we get in and it’s not as alluring as we thought.  In such a case we might look for the door again in order to get out.

Asking, searching and knocking are all desires to develop ourselves further. The direction of developing is very important.  Developing more wealth or power can be idolatrous. Developing a closer spiritual relationship with God should be the goal of every true believer.  Asking, searching and knocking are pursuits.  We are asking for; or in search of; or trying to gain entrance into; something that we believe will make us more whole and bring us into the realm of the Holy. Believing starts the process, asking and knocking is the resultant action that brings us eternal joy.

Today our Church remembers Alfred the Great; King of the West Saxons (26 October 899) and his information can be found at Alfred the Great.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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 Proper 24: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;

Ecclesiasticus 11:2-20; Revelation 9:13to21; Luke 10:38to42

“Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.”  (Psalm 31:5)

This reading of Psalm 31, and in particular, this verse, stands out for me.  I have conducted many “Last Rite” services in my priesthood.  Almost every time I close, or shortly thereafter, the dying person will at some point, open their eyes and gaze at a presence in the room with joy and acceptance. I am absolutely convinced that at that point, whether in a hospital room or in a private home, we are all standing on Holy Ground. God sends for us with the saints and the angels of heaven.

This is an experience that occurred with the mother of a parishioner while at Chapel Hill University Hospital, North Carolina four years ago. I had been a regular minister and counselor for her for over a year and had grown to know and love her very much.  While she was not a regular visitor to our Church at Saint Paul’s in the Pines, I got regular reports from her daughter who is a dedicated and faithful member. Her sick mother was not a citizen of the United States but is a full citizen of the family of saints of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

When I was told by her daughter that she, (her mother), opened her eyes as if to focus on something in the hospital room, I cried with joy!  I knew then that Our Lord Jesus had received her into his heavenly realm.  Her body might have been still keeping its heartbeat and labored breathing rhythms, but her soul had already been placed into the hands of our Savior.  I thanked God that I knew this and I pass this on to all who read this blog. So also, Christel Smith says,  “Into your hands I commend my spirit, for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.” Thank You Lord Jesus. And thank you for Christel in our lives. Amen.

“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

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia; Israel and Palestine, and our schools. And, 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 Lord our God, as you have placed in the soul of every human being a spirit of love, a spirit of yourself, teach us to understand that this is a borrowed presence of redemption that we will surrender back to you with ourselves in it as we commend our spirits into your hands. Amen.