onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 4: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;

Ecclesiastes. 2:16 to 26; Galatians 1:18 to 2:10; Matthew 13:53 to 58:

“And when James (the brother of Jesus) and Cephas [Simon Peter] and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.  They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do,” (Galatians 2: 9 and 10)

In my studies I have found that our response to the poor changes as money comes into the world.  In the earliest days people who owned farmland were instructed by God to leave something for the needy and not to go back and take up the last of everything.

However, with money, we now have “the poor.” With money we have the haves and the have-nots. With the haves, we create scarcity for the have-nots.. Scarcity ranges over time: it can be the coins of currency in antiquity to even toilet paper today during the midst of our Covid pandemic. The greed of one person creates the need of another.  But no matter what the need, we are instructed, as was Paul was, to remember the poor.  And with that remembrance also comes our response. This is an issue of real faith.

James reminds us that our response is so important.  He writes, “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith;” (James 2:18).  So remembering the poor really is about responding to their need.  It is the one thing that the early followers of our Lord Jesus asks of us still today.  Are we, like Paul, actually eager to do so?

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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, you have blessed us who believe in you in order that we might be a blessing to those who have yet come to believe.  As we bask in your blessing keep us ever mindful of all in need, not only of money, but also with companionship, or just someone to listen to them. Teach us to respect the dignity of every human being Oh Lord by the way we live in community. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 4: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;
Ecclesiastes. 2:1 to 15; Galatians 1:1 to 17; Matthew 13:44 to 52;

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

This is the first of three “The kingdom of heaven is like:” parables from Jesus in this Matthew passage. At least one point is that when we see or feel the kingdom of heaven, we must let go of what we have to obtain it. Likewise, we must let go of this body to enter the new one prepared for us in the next life.

Sometimes there is a greed in us that says both, and, instead of, either, or. We must choose the life we want to live.  We can’t live two lives. I think the key to living in the kingdom of heaven is simplification. The less we have, the easier life becomes. Likewise, the less we are doing, the easier life becomes. I know this to be true for I am way too busy.

The simple life might be the gateway into the kingdom of heaven. All we have to do is let go of some of what we have ; and some of what we are doing, and enjoy the kingdom. So therefore, in the end, we must let go of this body to enter the new one prepared for us in the next life, in the kingdom. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Jesus, please help us to let go of things unnecessary for finding the kingdom of heaven. Lead us and guide us in ways of simple pleasures already with us now. Teach us to want and need less as we seek the kingdom. Show us dear Lord Jesus that peace and tranquility which surpasses all understanding and which is the essence of the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 4: Year B

Mark 2:23-3:6 

“Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath; so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”  (Mark 2:27)

Today’s Gospel lesson seems to be all about rules and laws. For the most part, rules and laws are made by communities or a nation in order for us to live together in harmony and in safety. Therefore rules should be followed and obeyed. But like the Sabbath law provided to us by God, as Jesus points out, they come to us with the understanding that we are to use reason in observing them.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus uses reason to support the need for us to eat, even when some community-made law might say otherwise. Then he ends it with one of the laws that God gave us, to have a Sabbath time. This is a law we did not create, it was given to us by God. But even it, comes under the scrutiny our God-given reasoning. Richard Hooker, (17^th century Anglican priest) says that God gifted us with scripture, tradition, and reason. Scripture has its laws and our Church Tradition has its rules or rubrics, but our reasoning is personal for each of us making sense through our understanding of the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. And with it comes mercy tempered with love.

As best we can we should have our Sabbath time together. This is what God wants of us.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Jesus as you yourself set the example of attending to the Sabbath, so be in our hearts today in order that we too of this day may remember the blessed gift from God to have our communal rest, and remind ourselves that this is what God wants of us, and for us. Help us to be renewed each week through coming together in your most Holy Name we pray: Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 3

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32; Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;
Proverbs 25:15 to 28; 1^st Timothy 6:6 to 21; Matthew 13:36 to 43:

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, ‘Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.’ (Matthew 13:36)

While it is interesting to follow Jesus into the house to hear the explanation of the parable about who the good seeds are, and who the gathers are, and so forth; I find it informative that the disciples knew that they needed to get Jesus off, away from the people, with only themselves. They needed some Jesus-time.

This is true for us today. Sometimes we just need to ponder alone or with a few inquisitive learners in order to more fully understand something better. I mentor or facilitate a few spiritual formation sessions during the week where we breakdown and go deeper into biblical readings and even the news of the day. These sessions are so enlightening. God feeds us through one another. We should enter such sessions with open minds, being ready to be found in error, or having a misunderstanding about a topic. It serves us no good to only share with like-minded people. We should be seasoned with different points of view. Such sessions are Jesus-time.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Jesus, your are the source of both love and understanding. Help us we pray, to soften our hearts and minds and pride so that we might more fully love, understand, and humble ourselves to your call on our lives. Thank You Lord Jesus. Amen.

The Eucharistic Gospel Reading for The Visitation

Luke 1:39-57

“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.”  (Luke 1: 46 to 48)

Today our Church remembers the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth in Chapter 1 of the Gospel according to Luke. Mary humbles herself as did Hannah in chapter 2 of 1^st Samuel: “Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in my God;” (1^st Samuel 2:1).

These women set for us an example of getting out of God’s way and instead making one’s self useful for God. Half of our population can’t conceive and bear children (we are men). Not even all women can. But that does not stop us from devoting ourselves to God’s will.

 Perhaps it is the lowliness of his servant that creates the space for God to enter our souls and move our spirits. We can learn from this. We need to have more down-time in order to sit and just ponder about God, God who brought us into being with love and then rested.

“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, Russia, Israel, Palestine and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Jesus, through whom all life is made and maintained, please be evermore present in our souls and spirits making us both aware, and eternally thankful, for your promises and guidance in our lives. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 3: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 37:19 to 42;
Proverbs 21:30  to 22:6; 1^st Timothy 4:1 to 16; Matthew 13:24 to 30:

“Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1^st Timothy 4:7 and 8)

Paul’s words to Timothy are encouraging, especially for clergy, or any good teacher for that matter.  I like physical training as well as spiritual practice. I realize the my physical self will eventually close down. But I also believe that my spiritual self will continue on.

In this passage we have for today, Paul also says, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers;” (1^st Timothy 4:16). This is living the example. We must pay close attention to ourselves and develop good habits and practices remembering that someone is always watching us. We are teaching even when we don’t know it. We are more than the food we eat, we are the habits we keep.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 God, you are always watching us and guiding us. Help us, we pray, to be better people by monitoring our behavior and habits. Guide us dear God in ways of godliness that is valuable in every way, holding promise for both this present life and the life to come. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 3: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 38; Evening,  Psalm 119:25-48:
Proverbs 17:1 to 20; 1^st Tim. 3:1 to 16; Matthew 12:43to 50:

“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

I consider biological family to be like culture; we are born into it without choice. However, as we live, grow, love and learn, we can modify, add to , adapt and transform both family and culture.

As I have served in the military for 30 years I have become a part of the U.S. military culture and many of my retired friends are family to me. So too, the members of the Episcopal Church are family to me. This new found family of mine also includes my brothers in freemasonry. We are family because we are God-fearing men who live to do the will of God. This in no way means that I reject my biological family. It simply means that the family and culture of my choosing is as dear to me as those I was born into without choice.

As I write these words my biological brother is here visiting with me. My time with him is wonderful and I am thankful to God for him. We can have it both ways. We can have our birth families and we can also have our “grown-into” families as well. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Brother Lord Jesus, we give you thanks for connecting us to our eternal Father and true Parent. We pray that you bring to all of us as we live, grow, love and learn, a clearer understanding of what real family means, that is, those who do the will of the Parent. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 3, Year 2:

Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39:
Proverbs 15:16 to 33; 1^st Timothy 1:18 to 2:8; Matthew 12:33 to 42:

“The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.” (Matthew 12:35)

This Matthew reading for today has two interesting observations.  First, it seems to be more about things we have said rather than the deeds we have done. I would like to think that actions speaks louder than words. But in either, we will be held accountable. Which leads to the second observation, those who have gone before us are the ones who might condemn us.

In his response to the scribes Jesus speaks of the people of Nineveh listening to Jonah; and then Candice, or “The queen of the South,” listening to the words of Solomon. In each case Jesus says that those who repented or learned from listening to goodness or prophetic wisdom, will not only be saved, but will sit in judgment on us (this generation).

I imagine walking around in my after life and seeing people from the Bible coming together to sit in judgment on me. There would be Abraham and his sons, there would be Elijah, there would be the apostles; and of course Jesus himself sitting as Judge. What would this panel have to say about how well I listened, and then behaved?

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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 Jesus, help us to listen with the ears of our hearts in order that we may say and do those things that are pleasing in your sight. In your most holy Name we pray. Amen.

Daily Office Reading for Monday of Proper 3; Year 2

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalm 9 and 15;
Proverbs 10:1 to12; 1^st Timothy; 1:1-17; Matthew 12:22 to 32:

“Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.”( From Psalm 25)

Much, if not most of what I have learned about God has come from the Bible; that is, words. And even now I reflect on words from a Psalm. But these words asks God to show and to teach. Showing and teaching is not necessarily writing. It is being in me to lead and to guide me.

For the Bible, the saying is true, “You can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”  There is so much good in the words of the Bible, but, there are words of death and destruction and even some evil spirits said to be from God. I don’t accept this. While I do believe that the Bible contains all that is necessary for our salvation, I don’t believe that everything in it is necessary for salvation.

The Bible has been written in many old and now dead languages. Through translations and some misunderstandings, we read, and pray, and ponder, and glean what we can that is good and righteous.

But nothing is better than for God to show us God’s ways and to teach us God’s paths in God’s own way of doing so, which I believe is still being done through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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, you are the essence of all that is pure and good. We cannot come to you now or in our afterlife without your teaching and guidance. Teach us and guide us therefore Lord God to learn from your presence with us, with or without words, regardless of language, to learn your ways and to be guided along your paths for our sakes through our Lord Jesus Christ: Amen.

Gospel Reading for Trinity Sunday: Year B

John 3: 1 to 17

“Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” (John 3:5)

While most Christians will gravitate towards John 3:16, I have examined John 3:5 more closely. We have our own Trinitarian existence in being flesh, and water, and spirit. But as our Lord Jesus points out, it is water and spirit that enables us to enter the kingdom of God.

I have heard somewhere in my old school science classes that our bodies are made up mostly of water. And then with baptism we become immersed with water and the Spirit. It is astonishing to me that knowing this, still, many Christian people will work and hustle their entire adult lives in support of their bodies, which will eventually wear out.

Today is Trinity Sunday. While we are focused on the Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer, I invite us to also look at our own makeup. We are flesh, water and spirit brought into existence by the same Trinity. The spirit we have is the very Spirit embedded in us from God almighty. This spirit is our passport into the kingdom of heaven. If we are to do anything worthwhile, it should be study, prayer and pondering that will enhance our spirit that will be with us in all eternity.

Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools including St. Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

 (Taken from page 228 of the Book of Common Prayer)  Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.