onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper18: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 41 and 52, Evening, Psalm  44;  

Job 32:1 to 28; Acts 13:44 to 52; John 10:19 to 30:

“When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers.  Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region.  But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region.  So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium.  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13: 48 to 52)

We just can’t please everybody.  The Jewish authorities took offense to the message of Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their region.  Today we still do not want to sit and listen to people who disagree with us.  We only want to win, even if winning our way is really not the best outcome for all concerned.

We must pay attention to the words that say, “devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city” were incited by smooth talkers.  We must ponder about the words we hear.  From social media to politics and religion, we sometimes lose the purpose of what we are excited about and are only concerned about our side winning. We need to stop letting ourselves be manipulated and follow the advice of Blaise Pascal who said, “All men’s Miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.”

And when polarized persons will not accept our need to ponder the deeper meaning of our choices, we need to follow the model that Paul and Barnabas set for us and shake the dust off our feet in protest and just be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Today we remember the Martyrs of Memphis, Constance and her companions who lost their lives nursing those who succumb to Yellow Fever (1878). Constance & Her “Companions (satucket.com)

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:

Dear Lord God, Creator and Sustainer of all life, teach each of us to first consult the Burning Bush of our own solitude before listening to, and being talked-in-to, participating in actions not pleasing in your sight. For without your divine counsel we cannot receive the joy of the Holy Spirit you want us to have. In Your most Holy Name we pray: Amen.

New Testament Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 18: Year B

 Mark 7:24-37

“Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.” (Mark 7: 26)

Although there was some back-and-forth between them, Jesus works out of the woman’s faith, her belief that through Jesus anything, and all things, are possible. The writer of this experience, as well as the words of our Lord Jesus, go well beyond what is necessary to make sure we understand that this woman is not an Israelite. This is done by stating that she was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. 

In the same Gospel passage for today we read of Jesus healing a deaf man in the Decapolis, the Gentile area across the Jordan. This healing of another person, other than Israelite, is identified by geographic location rather than race or ethnicity but still points to ethnicity. In any case it shows our Lord Jesus to be the helper of people outside of the so-called God’s chosen.  All of humanity is God’s chosen no matter where on this blue ball we live.

As far as Jesus is concerned, it matters not what (so called) race you are labeled, or nationality you claim, or language you speak, or sexual orientation you are made to be. God in Christ Jesus loves all humanity and will heal us by the prayerful tears of our selves, or the prayerful tears of those who love us. Why? Because God’s ears hears tears. Nothing, no problem, is too big for God if we go to God in serious prayer.

As Episcopalians we are blessed with the wonderful 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP). And, while we try to attend Church every Sunday, our BCP provides for daily prayers that will keep us close to our Lord Jesus in very meaningful ways. But, we have to open the BCP and use it. We have Daily Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayers, Early Evening Prayers, Evening Prayers and Compline. We know of traditions that pray 5 times a day and some of us hold them in judgment. Our BCP asks us also to pray 5 times a day. I don’t think it’s too much to ask. Perhaps we hold ourselves in judgment as well. Using our prayer books in this way is a private, personal practice. My own habit of the daily office is expressed in this daily blog.  The BCP also has shorter versions of daily prayer called “Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families,” that begin on page 136. One does not have to be an Episcopalian to use this wonderful source of prayer. I am aware of many other Christian walks who make use of this magnificent prayer guide. We all need to be more about prayer. God is listening.

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 17: Year 2

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

Job 22:1 to 4 and verse 21 to chapter 23 to verse7; Acts 13:26 to 43; John 10:1 to 18

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”  (John 10: 16)

This is an undeniable ecumenical statement by our Lord Jesus. In spite of this pronouncement John will come and say to Jesus that he tried to stop someone from casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not following Jesus in their group.  But Jesus rebuked him and said do not stop him, (Luke 9:49)

We Christians often get wrapped around the axel when it comes to denominations.  All Christians are on the path that best suits them. Given this, I do feel that some experimentation is necessary. Christianity is not “one size fits all.”  Our Presiding Bishop of our Episcopal Church says that we are on the Episcopal path of the Jesus movement.  I like that explanation.

Pretty much any path is better than no path.  But even if we encounter someone on no religious path we are still called to love them as if they shared a pew with us. Christianity is about our personal relationship with our Lord Jesus and that faith is demonstrated in how we love and treat others without regard to what they believe or do not believe.

Much good work is being done through ecumenical organizations.  It saves precious resources when we don’t try to build and maintain staffing networks to feed the poor or provide health care when many good Christian organizations already have it in place, right? 

As an Episcopal priest, my most ecumenically challenged time is when I am asked to conduct a marriage between a couple of different denominations (or even different religious affiliations).  I am thankful that they have a faith path but really wish they were the same.  My Prayer Book only requires that at least one of them be baptized.  However, I want more.  Please don’t judge me.  I’m still a work in progress.  Besides, later on, according to our Lord Jesus, there will be one flock and one Shepherd.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

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 17: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 31, Evening, Psalm  35; 

Job 19:1 to 7 and 14 to 27; Acts 13:13 to 25; and John 9:18 to 41

“Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.”  (John 9:32)

I think the operative word here is “born” blind.  Our Lord Jesus did not restore the man’s sight as he has done for others.  Jesus gave him something he has never had, his ability to see for the very first time.

There is more than one kind of blindness.  When we are made to see our lives in only one sad way, we are blind to the realities and love of the world.  It is almost like being color blind. 

Being born into a world in which you are told that you are less valued than others makes you blind to all the potential God has placed in you.  In my own story, I feel that I was mismanaged twice by an elementary school teacher.  I was told that I was stupid and hopeless.  This was not a race issue.  It was an issue of family hatred that I only found out about later in life. In fact, it was a combination of joining the Marines, taking psychology courses and joining the Church, that made me aware that I was not stupid or less valued than anybody else. 

In this way, joining the Church was coming to Jesus in my early thirties, and was in fact being able to see my true self for the first time.  Sometimes we lose sight of who we are.  But sometimes we never had sight of who we are.  It is a very big deal to see who we are for the very first time.  Far too many people, of all walks of life, never really see who they are and what God wants for them.  I suggest finding the Lord and let God open your eyes for the first time.  And please know this, it is never too late. In all the world, only our Lord Jesus can give sight where there was none, ever. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today let us remember Hannah More, Religious Writer and philanthropist (1883); her bio can be found at Hannah More (satucket.com)

“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:

Thank You Lord Jesus for opening our eyes to the almost limitless possibilities you have set before us. Your vision for us is seen in love for one another and for our Creator. Help us daily we pray, to share your vision of love, and live in global love for God, and all humanity together, Amem.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 17: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 37:1-18; Evening,  Psalm 37:19-42

Job 16:16 to 22,17:1,13 to 16; Acts 13:1 to 12; and John 9:1 to 17

“Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.”  (Psalm 37:9)

Psalm 37 says a lot about what will happen to the wicked and how God will deal with them. This Psalm also advises us regarding doing good deeds.  Verse 9 however gives good counsel regarding our hateful emotions.

We get angry at others from time to time; why?  What makes us want to feel really bad about another?  How long does it take for such a feeling to pass, if they pass? 

When we are angry, what does it take to discipline ourselves to not act on such anger?  Can we separate our anger from our resultant words and/or action?  Saint Paul says “be angry but do not sin.”  To the Church in Ephesus he writes, “So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.  Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.  Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.  Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:25 to 29)

I think the Psalmist is correct, anger and rage leads only to evil.  The word “regret” comes to mind. Some tools to prevent regret is the standard “count to ten.” I had one friend who suggested, “stop and wind your watch, even if it’s not required.”  I think the point is to force yourself to occupy your mind with something else, and do it quickly.  Once a few seconds have passed you will realize how thankful you are that you didn’t say or do something regretful.

Maybe a short prayer or a short Bible verse like “Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil,” will work just fine.

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:

Come Holy Spirit of the ever-living, ever-loving God, as you are always available to us for calm and peace if we seek it, incline our hearts to seek your divine counsel, especially in times of high stress and anxiety; please help us to keep our emotions, words and actions under control so that decency and respect for the other will always prevail. In your most Holy Name: Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 17: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 38; Evening, Psalm 119:25 to 48;

Job 12:1 and 14:1to 22; Acts 12:18 to 25; John 8:47 to 59

“If mortals die, will they live again?”  (Job 14: 14)

I’m betting on living again Job. The writing of the story of Job gives a wonderful account of a tree dying. “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.  Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the ground, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a young plant,” (Job 14: 7 to 9) 

So how about humans, that is, mortals?  Can we sprout shoots?  And if the stump of us dies, will the shoots of us, retain who we are? 

In the Gospel of John, the persecutors of our Lord Jesus addressed Jesus with hatred, and wanted to show his words to be false and blasphemous. But Jesus stood his ground.  He said to them, “Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad” (John 8: 56). The accusers around Jesus wanted to discredit him by looking at his human age, (not yet fifty).  “Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am,” (John 8: 58). I don’t think they caught the, “I Am” part”. “I Am,” was God’s identifier to Moses.  That statement however, was more than they could bear.  They wanted to kill him on the spot.  But as God would have it, His time for dying had not yet come.

So Father Abraham died a human death but was still around, in some manner of being, to witness our Lord Jesus come into this world, and he (Abraham) rejoiced!  Let us too rejoice in our risen Lord who defeated death for himself, for Abraham, for the prophets, and for all of us, so that mortals will indeed live again!  Hallelujah! Thank You Lord Jesus.

The only point to ponder about the afterlife is how we are living in this life.  All of us should be decent with one another.  There is no reason to treat people mean or disrespectfully.  I believe there will be an accounting in our next existence.  But even if there is no accounting, why should we have to have all in the next life be a witness to how we mistreated others in this life?  Be kind always.  And be good for goodness sake.

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 Jesus, as you have defeated death for all who trust in you, so lead us and guide us in this life in order that we may come to your very real presence after this life. In your most Holy Name we pray, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper17:Year 2

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

Job 12:1 and13; 3 to17 and 21 to 27; Acts 12:1 to 17; and John 8:33 to 47

“While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.” (Acts 12:5)

This Church was assembled in the home of Mary, mother of John Mark and James the latter who had been killed with a sword by order of Herod. What I really want to get to is the Church praying for a miracle and getting it!  It was so surprising that the maid left Peter at the door knocking and, “When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer.  On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate.” (Acts 12: 13 and 14)

Interesting that Rhoda “recognized” his voice!  Recognizing his voice is the same evidence that identified Peter when Jesus was arrested.  “After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.”  (Matthew 26:73)  Apparently Peter’s voice is very distinct, like a Morgan Freeman or a James Earl Jones.

But it was the voices of the Church that got him freed. They asked for a miracle and then couldn’t believe it when it happened.  The same is true for us today.  When we were in the midst of a pandemic the Church prayed for relief.  And we are getting it.

Between Peter standing at the gate here, and having the spiritual keys to the church, many Christians assume that it will be St. Peter whom we will meet in the Resurrection standing at the pearly gates.  Who knows?  I just hope to get to the gates of heaven.  In the mean time, we, the Church, need to be praying for whatever our collective needs are for 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: For a Person (or Persons) in Trouble or Bereavement (BCP p. 831)

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of people: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 17: Year 2

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

Job 12:1to 6, and 13 to 25; Acts 11:19 to 30; and John 8:21 to 32:

“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.” (Acts 11: 25 and 26)

Like everybody else in the world, Christians did not name themselves, thus; they were called Christians by non-Christians, and it stuck.

So who are we really?  We Christians are still disciples. We are students. We are learners.  Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and he rejoiced when he saw how people had been changed for the better.  Ironically, this was a time of the persecution of Christians and was right after the time of the stoning of Stephen.  Christians were afraid for their lives. The Church was scattered, and for the most part, a secret society. It seems that it is under such conditions that the Church thrives.  Christians grow their faith, first and foremost, in their homes with prayer and supplication, and then with study and service. We are not so much recruiters as we are seekers of greater love and understanding and compassion and empathy.  We strive to learn the Way of Jesus Christ. This is who we really are.

While many joined the Christian movement in Antioch, it was something they sought after, not something they were corralled into.  It is when we individually stop and ponder about the meaning of life that we evolve in good ways. Blaise Pascal said, “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.”

Sitting quietly in a room alone can be scary. Our Lord Jesus might actually speak to us!  Before one can really be prepared to be called a Christian, a student or disciple; he or she must first be prepared in their hearts.  For where your heart is, there will your treasure be also.  I invite you to start this practice.  Find some time to sit quietly alone and ponder about what it means to you to be a Christian.

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 and ever-present Lord Jesus, as you are the Christ, the Annointed One, we who follow and learn from you are called Christians. Continue to teach us as we strive to always learn. You are the light of the world. Lead us to walk in the light of your love and to the honor of the name Christian, Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 17: Year B

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

“There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile, but the things that come out of a person are what defile.”  (Mark 7:15)

The word defile here is used in the sense of sinfully polluting the person and turning them from the purity of God.  We consume nothing that makes us more sinful, or turns us away from God.  Yes, poisonous food will kill us, rotting food will make us sick, and the abuse of alcohol and, or, drugs will make us drop our discipline and do bad things. But our hearts, that is, our minds and souls are not defiled by them, but rather, just not followed. This is why we need to take our Church into ourselves.

So I’m going to take an English alphabetical exchange here and move from the word defile to the word define.  Exchanging the “l” for an “n” in the word defile and it will help us to better understand the meaning of this Gospel lesson. Instead of d, e, f, i, “l”, e; we have d, e, f, i, “n,” e.   There is a difference.

When asked to “define” her Church, Maya Angelo, American spiritualist and poet, responded, “I do not define my Church, my Church defines me.” We are our Church wherever we are. It is our Church that goes inside us and says to ourselves and to the world, who we are and how we are to behave, before God, and before the World. So I say, let your Church come out and define who you are. We are our Church, and our Church is who we are. Our Church is about love, love for all people.

If our Church is off course, we do not get it back on track by abandoning it. We ask God to help us to straighten our path so that our faith tradition honors our Lord Jesus Christ. We are a work in progress and our hearts are guiding us to that holy place.

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: (For the Church, BCP p. 816)

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 16: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 20 and 21:1-7(8-14), Evening, Psalms 110, 116, and 117;

Job 9:1, and 10:1 to 9 and16 to 22; Acts 11:1to18; and John 8:12 to 20:

“Do you have eyes of flesh?  Do you see as humans see?”   (Job 10: 4)

There is something that I pondered about in each of our Biblical readings for today. There is Peter’s pondering on “The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us” (Acts 11:12).  This again is about the inclusiveness of God.  And then there is Jesus telling the Pharisees in the Gospel according to John, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  This light that our Lord Jesus speaks of is not the simple illumination as through the sun, but rather, through the light of the Son. It is the moral light of righteousness.

But what I want to share with you today are the words from the fable of Job where Job ponders, “Do you have eyes of flesh?  Do you see as humans see?”   (Job 10: 4)

This brought me back to a time when I visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Cape Fear Medical Center in Fayetteville , North Carolina, some years ago.  There was the baby of a parishioner whose name is Chloe.  She, at the time, was a premature infant.  I visited with this infant at least twice a week.  And I would pray, “Lord God, please see this baby through my eyes and behold her innocence and beauty.  I pray you strengthen the health of this baby that she will live and be healthy. Please God.”

When I prayed these words I could look in the incubator and see Chloe shiver and jerk as I prayed for her.  Later, when mom brought her to church she might have been a little unsettled at first but when I preached, she calmed down.  I think my voice was something that resonated with her.   I love it when mom brings her to church.

So this line from Job brings back for me the prayer I prayed for infant Chloe.  I wanted our distant and universal God to focus on this tiny, premature, infant by seeing her through my eyes as I gazed upon her while standing next to her incubator.  God heard my compassionate prayer and Chloe is doing fine.  Perhaps this is just another reason why God came to us in Christ Jesus.  In our Lord Jesus, God Almighty can, and does, see us through human eyes.  So now we can answer Job’s question.  Yes, God can see as humans see.  Moreover, I believe when any of us look upon another with love and compassion God is looking also through our eyes of flesh.

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.