onewhoponders

Today is the Tenth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for Saturday, January 3^rd: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 68; Evening, Psalm 72;

1^st Kings 19:9 to 18; Ephesians 4:17 to 32; John 6:15 to 27:

“So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)

Paul reminds the Church in Ephesus (and us today) that we have moved on from the old ways of looking at life, as he says “Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart:” (Ephesians 4:17 to 18).

We too should want to let go of old ways that do not build up loving and caring relationships. Personally, I have had to let go of some parental teachings that no longer fit the narrative I am living in Christ Jesus.  I no longer believe in race. I know the world does, the Gentiles that they are. I do believe in culture. We can choose the culture that best suits us, can’t we? I now consider myself to be an Anglican Cowboy after being raised a Southern Colored boy in the 1950’s.  The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion has taught me much about life and it only required me to listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to me. This Church has become my second parent. It may not be the best fit for everyone, but everyone should find a fit.

Each of us should find a path through listening to God’s call on our lives. We should start with the bridge of listening. Listening leads to learning; learning leads to loving; and loving eradicates ignorance and hardness of heart. 

Let us always listen, learn, love and lead with the mind of Christ. Merry Christmas: Day 10

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.

This is the Eighth Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for Holy Name Day: January 1

Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 8; Galatians 4:4-7; or Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 2:15-21

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)

This day we celebrate naming Jesus on the day of his circumcision. What did we do for baby girls? I don’t think our so-called sacred traditions are always what is pleasing in God’s sight. But we are the humans that God formed us to be. God sees something in us.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, What is man that you should be mindful of him? the son of man that you should seek him out?” (Psalm 8: 4 and 5)

There is no doubt in my mind that the goodness of God called creation into being. And, as the Psalmist considers, with the moon and the stars in their respective courses, God also caused humanity to also come into being.  But then God became mindful of us, so much so that God actually walked among us as one of us!  Yes, God sought us out; men and women.

This is further illustrated by the words of Paul as he teaches us that when our human creation part was ready, then, and only then, God joined us, Emanuel; God with us. Paul writes, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. (Galatians 4:4 and 5).

And of course, the technical details can be found in our  Gospel passage from Luke in our reading for today. The over arching point I want to ponder is God’s interest and fascination with humanity. “What is man that you should be mindful of him?”  We humans have such a divine opportunity through our Brother Jesus Christ to join God for all eternity. It is now time for us to be mindful, that is, fascinated with, and thankful to, God.  Merry Christmas: Day 8.

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.213)

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Today is the 7^th Day of Christmas

Morning Prayer Readings for December 31^st: Year 2

 Psalm 46, 48;
1^st Kings 3:5 to 14; James 4:13 to 17 and  5:7 to 11; John 5:1 to 15:

“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.” (1^st Kings 3: 10)

The new young king Solomon prayed to God for the understanding necessary to lead God’s people. God was pleased that Solomon did not ask for riches or for long life, or for human glory, or harm to his enemies. At this point in his life Solomon was genuine about wanting to do the right thing in shepherding God’s people.

We should understand that Solomon, while assisting God, wanted what was best for the people believing in the one God. God wanted what was best for the faithful. God still does.

We should take a page from Solomon’s play-book, our prayers to God must be sacrificial, Agape love.  Each of us are placed in communities, or called to communities, where the gifts God has placed in us are needed. Our prayers, like Solomon’s, should always be to give God thanks, and to use our God-given gifts as God sees fit for the benefit of those in our midst.

So too may we be granted the understanding that enables us to live loving lives void of any negativity towards others. Merry Christmas: Day 7

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

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

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

Today is the Sixth Day of Christmas

Daily Office Readings for December 30^th: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 20 and 21:1to 7; Evening, Psalm 23 and  27;

1^st Kings 17:17 to 24; 3^rd Letter of John 1 to 15; John 4:46 to 54:

Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” (John 4:50)

Going to our Lord Jesus seeking aid for another is the most powerful act we can perform for someone. It is more important than money. The Scripture in today’s Gospel reading says that the man believed and started back home. However, he did inquire about the time the boy was healed, and scripture says he believed (again).   Regardless of when he really believed, he obeyed Jesus and started for home.  Jesus is everywhere. He didn’t have to be standing above the child to heal him. He healed him across space and time.

Our Lord Jesus is still doing this today for those who ask, across time and space. The catch is, we must believe. Believing is about going to Jesus in prayer, but it is also about following Jesus’ teachings regarding forgiveness. Few of us, even if we struggled with all the medical learning and technology, could not come close to the healing that Jesus can do. But, if we learned to forgive like Jesus does, all of us could achieve His merciful likeness and receive His healing miracles.

Prayer, with forgiveness, is the greatest of gifts we can ever give to anyone, for Christmas, or anytime. Jesus is everywhere, all the time.  Merry Christmas: Day 6

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:

Oh Heavenly Creator and Sustainer, help us we pray to always have faith and trust in Your saving and sustaining grace in all circumstances through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today is the Fourth Day of Christmas and the First Sunday after Christmas Day

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the First Sunday after Christmss Day: All Years

John 1:1-18

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

These words are the beginning to what we call the Prologue to the Gospel according to John. It does my heart and faith good to stop and read these words from time to time regularly.

It was a clergy person of another denomination (Lutheran)  who traveled to Virginia Theological Seminary and made my Episcopal Seminary class slow down and hear what was “not” being said.  In the beginning was the Word, not the book. The book, and that means the Bible, like our houses of prayer, are man-made.  While the greatest of human effort was made to ensure all glory is attributed to God, the Bible and our Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, and Temples are imperfectly human made.

The One Who has no beginning created our beginning. This opening of John is reminiscent of the opening of Genesis. Perhaps this was John’s intent. In this opening of John, we also have a creation story, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being” (John 1:3).  From this I gather that the Word proclaimed, and life, all life, came into being. This Word, this Breath, of God is the same part of God who also worked with Mary and walked among us.

Then, in all unassuming nature, the Creating Word walked among us as one of us and we did not see that there was something different about this Person. But when we listen to the words of the Eternal, Creating Word, we are awakened into an everlasting light; the light of love, love, both for God and for one another.

 It does us good to read the first 18 verses of John from time to time throughout the year. Merry Christmas: Day 4

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

Let us pray: First Sunday after Christmas Day: (BCP p. 213)

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Today is the Third Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for St John the Evangelist

Exodus 33:18 to 23; Psalm 92; 1^st John 1:1  to  9: John 21: 19 to  24:

“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.”  (John 21:24)

John is one of at least five Apostles that the Gospel shows written evidence of being handpicked by Jesus.  Oh the Gospel says he had 12 but some were just joiners I guess.  John and James, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and later Matthew (Levi; Matthew 9:9), were actually invited with the words, “follow me,” and they accepted.  There was also the rich young man but he declined the invitation of our Lord, (Matthew 19:21).  His name could have been among the 12 (or five). He was invited but his many possessions had control of him. There is a lesson in this for you and me.

John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1: 1 to 3). We have a beginning from One who has no beginning.

We must recognize the testimony of John as a divine revelation and message. All of his words, from the Gospel according to John, his pastoral letters, and the Divine Revelation from our Lord Jesus, are God’s doing and it is for our benefit. Thank You Lord Jesus.

I have come to recognize and appreciate that our Church, has been built on the written words from past experiences of people, and primarily from the Bible.  Perhaps the greatest contribution we could do for those who come after us is to also write something of our own experiences.  In this way we give back, even if just a little, as a token of our appreciation for what has been given to us.

The testimony of John the fisherman, made an apostle, about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

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: Saint John December 27 (BCP p. 238)

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today is the Second Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for St. Stephens

Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15;  Psalm 31;  Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60;  Matthew 23:34-39:

“Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.” (Acts 7:60)

As a retired priest, but still considered a servant of our Lord Jesus, I am not in total agreement with how our first deacons were formed.  As I understand it deacons were formed in order to excuse priests from the responsibility of feeding those who were hungry, (Acts 6), which is in contrast with what Jesus did at every opportunity he could. In fact he said to the apostles, “You feed them,”  (Matthew 14:16).  However, more than that, and in keeping with today’s focus, Deacon Stephen’s devotion to God through the examples of Jesus is most remarkable.

Stephen knows his faith history and relates it to those who falsely judge him.  He has every right to be angry about how they are treating him, however, he lets love prevail. Psalm 31:13 – 16 may hold comforting words for Stephen and for all of us who are held in contempt.  For it reads:

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me.” (Psalm 31:13 -16)

“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. Merry Christmas: John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 237)

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.