onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 29: Year 2

Morning, Psalms [120], 121, 122 and 123; Evening, Psalms 124, 125, and 126;
Zechariah 11:4to17; 1 Corinthians 3:10 to 23; Luke 18:31to43:

“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1)

This is what Christian faith is all about: that is, our final, and forever passage into the house of the Lord. We long to hear the words, “Come beloved of the Lord, and enter into the joy of your Lord” as expressed in the words of the twenty fifth chapter of Matthew, where servants worked to improve on the talents left to them by their master, save the one who only had one talent and buried it. Also, in chapter twenty five of Matthew, the invitation extends to those who were placed on the right-hand side of the Lord because they cared for the hungry, the naked, the infirmed and those in prison.

As I have said before that I have been blessed to be present in hospital rooms when a parishioner or other patient was dying.  At some point, the person, who was unconscious, will open their eyes and stare at a space in the room where no one was sanding.  In most cases, an expression of joy or wonder is reflected on the dying person’s face.  It is at this point that I believe the gates of heaven opened in that hospital room, even though I could not see it, nor could anyone else in the room see it.  And at that point, the invitation is extended to the dying person to come into the house of the Lord.  Perhaps these are the very words that the dying says to him or herself, “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

I know that I would be glad to enter into the house of the Lord.  Many people, when asked how they are doing, will answer, “Well, I’m above ground and I’m still here.”  The implication is, that they are doing well and consider this earthly life as the best there is.  But I ponder what the afterlife is like.  Maybe being here in this life is not something to celebrate so much, but rather, it is the Christian work that we should be doing and celebrating. It is using the talents – gifts, that God has given us to the best of our abilities for the building up of the Church, and showing the love that God wants to be in every heart, that we should be doing and celebrating. This is the time to feed the hungry, clothe the naked visit the infirmed and imprisoned; thus preparing ourselves for that invitation into the house of the Lord.

Today we remember Isaac Watts; Hymnwriter (1748), and his information may be found at: Isaac Watts.

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, the Alpha and the Omega, Master of the eternal home of Heaven; mercifully open to us Your invitation to enter into the House of the Lord when our times come so that we may continue to live eternally in that temple, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 29: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 106:1to18; Evening, Psalm 106:19to48:
Zechariah 10:1to12; Galatians 6:1to10; Luke 18:15to30:

“My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness,” (Galatians 6:1).

Each and every one of us are in need of forgiveness.  And God, in God’s all knowing wisdom, has given each of us the Spirit to restore a neighbor who, having been found in transgression, the power to restore a brother or sister, back into the fold.

I need it, you, reading this message, also need it. None of us are beyond needing restoration.  God made us this way on purpose. This is why our Lord Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

Sometimes those who sin against us do not ask for forgiveness.  This can be for one of two reasons. First, maybe they are in a bad place and were intentional about what they have done to you. Second, perhaps they didn’t realize that they have actually sinned against you.  I’ve experienced both.  In these situations I like to use the word “pardon.”  I can pardon a person without them even knowing it. When I pardon someone I can move on with my life and not sit and simmer about an insult or injury. 

While I am not opposed to informing someone that they have offended me, (in case they didn’t know it), I do not believe in asking someone for an apology.  I feel that once they are made aware that I felt hurt by something they have said or done (or not done), it’s up to their conscience as to what follows. Sadly, I have even seen whole countries insist on an apology from another country for some sad misdeed perpetrated on it.  I think, be it a country or a person, once the sin or any kind of violence has been made known, the apology should be forth coming and in all sincerity.

Once a transgression has been detected, you and I have been given the Spirit that will restore us all to a spirit of love and gentleness with one another.  All we have to do is use it and be thankful.

Today we remember James Otis Sargent Huntington: Founder (25 November 1935); and his information can be found at: James Otis Sargent Huntington.

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:

Oh Almighty God, the forever lover of all souls, teach us please Lord God, to forgive others as you forgive us. Teach us the virtues of patience and kindness and genuine love for all people and let your holy Spirit take the lead in all transgressions we detect. Amen.

The Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday, Christ the King Sunday: Year B

 John 18:33-37

“Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” (John 18:35)

We can learn so much from the words of Pontius Pilate.  In our NRSV translation of John 18:35 above, we have the words “your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me.”  In the NIV translation we have, “it was your own people and your chief priests who handed you over to me.” While this might sound the same, I have to side with the NIV because the Jewish people were not then, a nation. They were however, Israel, believers of One God who struggles with God as their father Jacob did and was so named when he wrestled with God after sending his family before him to safety: (Genesis 38:24 to 30). Do you struggle with God?

So when Pilate says to Jesus, “I am not a Jew, am I?” He is correct. But I believe the NIV is closer to the truth with its wording of “your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me.”  Judas was one of Jesus’ “own people.”  He was not a nation, but a member of the twelve and he was a Jew. You and I are Jesus’ own people. So, do we hand our Lord Jesus over again to be crucified? Do we disown him as did Peter and Judas did? We too struggle with God. We too are Israel. Like it or not, we too are Jews in Pilates use of the word. Pilate says “your own people handed you over to me.” Are we the people of Jesus or not?

“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”  I must remind us now that no matter the translation, the term “the Jews,” really meant the Temple authorities. For you see, Jesus and the twelve, were all Jews. So there must be some distinction between the followers of Jesus and the Temple Authorities, that is the scribes, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees. And while the Temple Authorities did stir up crowds of anti-Jesus Jews, the term “the Jews” is used too broadly; and at the same time, too narrow as it does not include Jesus’ own.

Let us not get caught up on the name given to us One-God people of today?  There is a lot we must get over.  What we Christians really want is the truth.  To this Jesus says to Pilate, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice:” (John 18:37).  If our Eucharistic Lectionary had gone one verse further for today we would have what the former Arch Bishop of Canterbury, (the Most Reverend Rowan Williams), called “the most profound question in the whole of the New Testament; which comes from the lips of Pontius Pilate; “What is truth?”

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: 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 28: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 107:33-43, and 108:1-6; Evening, Psalm 33:
Malachi 3:13to4:6; James 5:13to20; Luke 18:9to14

 “But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)

I had to mail something to Raleigh the other day that was very important to me. So I went to a local post office to make sure it was correct.  Raleigh, being the capital of North Carolina, I wanted to make sure my U.S. mail was properly sent by a method of tracking.

As I came to be next in line, and heard the next customer called to the next available clerk. I approached the postal clerk with all humility. I actually said, “I need mercy and patience to help me properly mail this package.” The clerk smiled and told me what I needed to do, and after I misprinted the “to” and “from” spaces, she just smiled again and helped me straighten it out.  I could not have moved on in any sense of accomplishment had it not been for the wonderful and compassionate postal worker.

I know that many people approach sales reps and clerks with arrogance and a sense of superiority. They like saying who they are and what they have accomplished, sort of like the Pharisee in our Luke reading for today; but not me.  I knew that if I was going to get anywhere close to what I wanted, it was going to be at the mercy of the postal clerk whom I stood in front of.

So too it is with eternal salvation. We must ask God to be merciful to us, a sinner. And pray God saves us so that we may return to our heavenly homes justified. Justification, in my postal experience, was made manifest in going back to my earthly home with routing numbers and a tracking code on the web. Arrogance and self promotion has no place in God’s Kingdom.  We must follow the tax collector’s lead in asking for mercy, and then doing the will of God.

Today we remember Clement of Rome, Bishop (23 November 100) and his information can be found at: Clement of Rome

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 28: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1to32;
Malachi  3:1to12; James 5:7to12; Luke 18:1to8

“Above all, my beloved, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” (James 5: 12)

This advice sounds good but rarely do I see it practiced. This is especially true when I witness someone on television being asked a simple “yes or no” question.  I find that after they are done responding, I still can’t figure out whether their response was yes, or no.

James is repeating the same advice given in Matthew where Matthew says, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:37). I think the real challenge is deciding where we are inside ourselves.  And we should remember that whether we are a “yes” or a “no,” we are only yes, or no, temporarily. We may change the next minute or the next year.  And even this yes to no; or no to yes, shift, doesn’t mean that we are wishy-washy, but rather, as we are more informed, our perspective changes.

I have great admiration for people who can “up front” respond with a yes or a no, and then explain the why’s. Sometimes they explain only when asked.  Sometimes they immediately fill in the why’s so as to explain their position.  But at least they are clear about where they stand at the moment. I think we first have to deal with where we are about any subject deep within ourselves.  And, it’s okay to be unsure. And it’s okay to say, I don’t know. 

To practice the yes or no quick response we might want to start with ourselves.  We can start out by simply asking ourselves easy questions like, “shall I get out of bed now? or, “do I want cereal for breakfast?” Then we can graduate to the more difficult questions like “do I support capital punishment; and how about abortion?”  We might change over time. And that’s alright.  But let us take a stand about where we are right now as for as yes, or no, is concerned, and do it without fear of feeling weak, only let us be open to change if our inside perspective changes.

Today we remember C.S. Lewis, Apologist and Spiritual Writer (22 Novermber 1963) and his information can be found at:  C. S. Lewis

“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:

Almighty God, who prayed us into being by saying “Yes” to our existence, as we are created in Your Image, help us now with steadfast discernment in order that our yes or no to any question, will come with careful and thoughtful love for all you have done, and are doing, for us. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 28: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 105:1to22; Evening, Psalm 105:23 to 45
Malachi  2:1to16; James 4:13 to 5:6; Luke 17:20 to 37

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.’ Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13 to 16)

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring.  The best we can do is to live the best life we can for this day. By the best life, I mean, to the benefit of our community, not to the enhancement of one’s self.  We should never say to ourselves that “I will go and do this or that,” without praying that such an act will be done only if it is the Lord’s will.  Remember the prayer, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” In our Luke lesson for today, Jesus says, “For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” (Luke 17:21). We live into the Kingdom of God daily.

Writing this blog has changed my life and the prospect of being a traveler.  I now don’t ever want to be in a place that doesn’t have a good Wi-Fi connection.  I need to be able to get my next day’s blog out, if it is the Lord’s will to do so. So I am content to stay here in Raeford, North Carolina, studying the Word, learning more and more about the World Wide Church that I love, and writing the Good News to all who will read it.

How about you?  What is it that the Lord has blessed you to do?  I have read somewhere that where your passion, and your community’s needs meet, is where God wants you to be, and what God wants you to do.  Your passion, if it is a noble vocation, is your ministry.  Pursue it.  We are truly only here for a little while.  But while we are here, we have the Lord’s work to do.

Today we remember two sets of the faithful:

Mechthilde of Hackeborn and Gertrude the Great; Mystics and Theologians, 1298 and 1302: who can be found at: Mechtilde of Hackeborn & Gertrude the Great:   and also;

William Byrd, John Merbecke and Thomas Tallis; Musicians, 1623, 1585 and 1585 who can be found at: William Byrd, John Merbecke & Thomas Tallis.

All these saints are mystics or musicians or both.

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:

Most Holy Lord God, as you have a divine plan for all life and humanity in particular, we pray you lead us and guide us so as to bring heaven into our lives now and be with each of us as we say, ‘If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.’ In your most holy Name we pray: Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 28: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 101 and 109; Evening, Psalm 119:121to144;
Malachi 1:1,6 to14; James 3:13 to 4:12; Luke 17:11to19

“For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.” (James 3: 16 and 17)

Envy, or in its most sinister form, jealousy, always brings about bad relations among people.  If we are different in any outward way, it is only magnified in a negative way by envy or jealousy.  It will occur among people of the same ethnicity as well.  But when there are differences of any kind, the differences can take on, as James says, disorder and wickedness of every kind.

But James assures us that in the end, or as we like to say today, “at the end of the day,” it will all be better if we prayerfully regain our moral composure. But this only happens if we learn from wisdom.  He teaches us that wisdom is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 

Although James confronts Paul in the, “faith versus works” arena, he sounds like Paul’s 1^st Corinthians letter when he defines wisdom as Paul defines love: that is, pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield and so forth.  Paul says of love that “love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away,” (1^st Corinthians 13: 4 to 8).  There seems to be a difference between knowledge and wisdom. There seems to be difference between knowing something (knowledge) and good judgment (wisdom).

Maybe there is a strong correlation between love and wisdom. Perhaps the path to wisdom is love, or the other way, the path to love is wisdom.  What do you think?

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 Holy God Almighty, in your infinite love and wisdom you brought all life into being and gave us purpose. Stay with us Lord God and help us to be “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.” All this we pray in your most Holy Name; Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 28: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 94;
Habakkuk 3:1to18; James 3:1to12; Luke 17:1to10

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies” (James 3:1 to 3).

James’ words suggest that we, at some level, ought to practice what we are taught. Teachers then are probably the most important service providers in any community. Over the years I have taught many classes and counseled many people with various concerns.  I pray that my words to them are what I also practice, but more than that, it helps them to live better, more faithful lives. 

James is not original in using the metaphor of a bridle as an example of holding the attention of those we are trying to teach. This example appears in the Psalms. “Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle ,else it will not stay near you; (Psalm 32: 9).

Our very first teachers are our parents. Even school teachers depend on parents to have taught the children the local language and behaviors.  On the very first day in school the child must understand simple instruction such as “sit here,” or “come here,” or “what is your name?”  From there the teacher takes hold of the bit and bridle, the reins, if you will, and guides us into more productive citizenry. 

Another very important person in teaching, and in particular the behavior of a community, is the pastor.  The pastor teacher is a special gift given to some in each community by God as a guide to righteous living. St. Paul teaches, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). The pastor-teacher gift is a combined vocation implanted in some of us for the purpose of comforting and guiding the people of God in righteous living.  And as James says, such people will be judged with greater strictness.

All parents are pastor teachers. Parents are called by God to comfort and guide their children in ways that promote harmony in the family, in their church, in their community, and in the world. Perhaps even bit and bridle is better than leaving them idle.

Today we remember Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess and Philanthropist (19 November 1231) and her information can be found at: Elizabeth of Hungary.

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 and ever-loving God, you have given us each other to love, lead and teach one another in ways that are pleasing in your sight. Equip us, we pray dear God, with your bit and bridle of righteousness, that we may be guided in righteous ways and to also teach our young ones in your holy ways. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 28: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 89:1to18; Evening, Psalm 89:19to52:
Habakkuk. 2:1to4,and 9-20; James 2:14to26; Luke 16:19to31

“He called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames,”  (Luke 16: 24).

There are so many stories to tell or talk about from the readings we have for today.  I will stick with this one from Luke.

It is written that what we have in us on earth, we will take to heaven with us.  Where we wind up in the afterlife is determined by the sinful toxins found in us.  We should be careful. What we take with us could prevent us from entry into that side of the great chasm where Father Abraham resides. The rich man in this parable never respected the dignity of Lazarus. This attitude of arrogance has become the toxin that stuck with him even in the afterlife.  We know this because even in the afterlife he does not address Lazarus himself or apologize for neglecting him in their previous life. But rather, he addresses Father Abraham to “send” Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. Earthly arrogance and disrespect does not work in the realm of God.

Greed, jealousy, hate, lust, gluttony and all other such self-serving desires inside us can separate us from the Love of God, even though Paul says differently in the thirteenth chapter of  his letter to the Romans.  God will still love us but we won’t be able to be with God due to the internal properties that we should have ridded ourselves of before we passed on to the afterlife. Paul speaks of environmental and external events that fall on us that he says can’t separate us from the love of God, (Romans 8: 35 to 39).  But we must hold this good news next to the words of our Lord Jesus who cautions us that “whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven.”  This is said twice in the Gospel of Matthew; chapter 16, verse 19; and chapter 18, verse 18.  This is surely a lesson the rich man could have used.  Continuing in the parable, the rich man tries to negotiate a path for his brothers so that they will not meet his fate.  Father Abraham reminds him that if his brothers just follow the lessons of the prophets they will be alright. But the rich man insists that if Lazarus returns to them from the dead his brothers would believe.  But Father Abraham told him that if they wouldn’t follow the teachings of the prophets they wouldn’t believe even if Lazarus returned from the dead.  This of course is an allusion to Jesus himself rising from the dead and some of us still not believing.

You and I have our Lord Jesus and all of these lessons to assist us in correcting our lives before we enter the afterlife.  We have the same prophets in addition to the saints who have gone before us.

Today we remember Hilda of Whitby; Abbess and Peacemaker (18 November 680), and her information can be found at: Hilda of Whitby

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: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor as found on p. 358 of the BCP.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Reading for Sunday, Proper 28: Year B

  Mark 13:1 to 8:

“Then Jesus began to say to Gospel them, “Beware that no one leads you astray.” (Mark 13:5)

Heaven knows we have had more than our share of what I call “Jesus-want-to-bees.”  We have had Jim Jones, David Koresh, any number of politicians (on both sides of the isle), plenty from the traditional preacher pool, as well as a few from the lawyer and business brand.

I think sometimes we are just too easily, led astray. We need to know what to look for in leaders, be they spiritual, political, or just plain community leaders. None of us are Jesus, nor will we ever be. I like leadership by consensus. This is where elected persons, representative of  all walks of community life, come together to work out reasonable solutions to problems as well as sort out productive ways forward for all in the community. With such a body of concerned people we would be as close as we could get to being like Jesus. We would still miss the mark but it would be a good start.

We have to look hard to see even fair news in Mark 13. But if we examine the words closely we will find some consolation. Jesus tells us, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.” (Mark 13:7)

It is the “do not be alarmed” part, that we should pay attention to.  We must calm ourselves. No matter what happens in this world, God is still in charge and what we think is our end is not our end at all. To quote Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” But even this Yogi-ism is turned upside down with God’s invitation into eternity. While Mark 13 seems all doom and gloom, there is guidance within it for whatever might come our way.

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: 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.