onewhoponders

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening,  Psalms 47 and 48:
Genesis 15:1-11 and17-21; Hebrews 9:1 to14; John 5:1 to 18

“One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’”  (John 5: 5 and 6)

Our human minds are so adaptable.  This adaptability is also adjustable. We can train our minds, our muscle memory, and even the foods we like to taste, to like and appreciate differences.  The downside is, however, that we can allow our circumstances to dictate our comfort. The man at the Sheep-Gate pool fell into this situation. He was comfortable in his crippled state of being and even made up excuses that supported his lack of willingness to even try to do better.  Jesus asks him (and us), “Do you want to be made well?”

We must want to be made well. It means never giving up and never creating excuses that give us false reasons for why we can’t do better. Today many of us hide behind limited physical ability that we never try to improve. I have seen some young persons with missing limbs participate in competitive sports like swimming and basketball and baseball, and they thrive!

Some of us try to use race or gender or orientation as reasons we aren’t good enough or accepted in certain associations. If these kind of reasons hold us back then we should start mew and more inclusive organizations that better align with the will of God for who God made us to be. 

Speaking a different language, being born in another country, missing limbs, dark skin or same sex love notwithstanding, we must stand up and walk. Sometimes that walk also means cutting a new trail. Thank You Lord Jesus.

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

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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 3^rd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 14:8 to 24; Hebrews 8:1 to13; John 4:43 to 54

“The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my little boy dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.” (John 4:49 – 50)

Intercessory prayer is so important.  In fact, prayer on behalf of others may be the most prayed prayers.  But like the official above, when we pray for someone, we must believe and go, go believing our Lord Jesus has done, or is doing, what is best.

I’m not so sure I like the follow up in this passage because the official who is the father is trying to prove to himself that it was in fact Jesus who did the healing.  “As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.’ The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ So he himself believed, along with his whole household.”  (John 4: 51 – 53)

Prayer is not all fact based.  It is however, all love and hope filled.  We must hope and pray for people we love and for anyone whom we realize is in dire straits.  Prayer to our Lord Jesus works.  When we sincerely ask for help, or healing, or comfort for others, our Lord Jesus will hear our plea, and will respond.  Remember, “God’s ears hears tears.”  Never, never, never give up, and don’t try to make sense of, or seek proof of, the Lord’s work.  But rather, just be thankful for it. Thank You Lord Jesus.

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

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

The Gospel Reading for the 3^rd Sunday Week of Epiphany: Year B

“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1: 16 to 18)

As I study these ancient writings, I see more and more the second calling of people. David was a shepherd and Amos also a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees before David was called to be a king, and Amos a temporary prophet to Israel, as Amos testifies, “Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel;.” (Amos 7: 14 and 15).

Jesus continues his recruiting walk down the beach and enlists the help of the brothers John and James who were also fishermen before being called to be evangelist. Jesus himself was a carpenter before moving on to the work of salvation as was His mission from before time began.

How about you and I? I was first called to serve in the military and served in the Marines for 30 years.  Now I am called to serve as preacher and spiritual companion for any who need me. What a wonderful biblical tradition I am following. But it is one of service. When God invites us to follow Him, it is not about us, it is about a community. It may not be the community you are currently residing in as with Amos or even Abraham who was told by God; “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing: (Genesis 12:1 and 2)

The way God calls us is the same in both the Old and New Testaments. Often (but not always) we get a name change as in from Abram to Abraham, and from Simon to Peter. Also our additional call to God’s service does not necessarily eliminate our previous vocation. Amos went back to his work as a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees, and Paul continued as a tent maker in addition to his call to preach the Gospel. I don’t do anything pertaining to national defense anymore but I do still continue to manage people in order that they might be the best they can be.  How about you?  When our Lord Jesus says to you, “Follow Me,” how are you called to preach the Gospel in word and deed, and where are you called to do it?

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

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

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32; Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;
Genesis 12:9 to 13:1; Hebrews 7:18 to 28; John 4:27 to 42:

“They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world; (John 4:42).

This is the experience with the unnamed woman at the well. Was it necessary for the people, (I’ll bet mostly men), to tell the woman that it was not because of her that they believe? Because, it truly was her doing.

She has just done the work of John the Baptist and every Christian denomination we have today; she has brought people to Christ.

You and I can still meet Christ at the well today. And such an encounter can make us also forget our bucket and why we were there in the first place. Private time with Jesus is overwhelming. It will make you go to those, even those with whom you have issues with, and proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world!  And here is the thing folks, once you know, you can’t unknow.

Once the Spirit of God enlightens you, you too will be reminded of everything you have ever done as well as the good in you that lies ahead. Maybe someone you tend to avoid will bring you a word of Jesus being present in them, and you would rather ignore them.  However, I would suggest that you remember such a person and re-member them back into the fold, for they got out of God’s way and let God work through them for their faith’s sake, and for your faith’s sake as well.

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

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

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;
Genesis 11:27 to 12:8; Hebrews 7:1 to 17; John 4:16 to 26:

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth;” (John 4: 24).

Jesus continues to converse with the Samaritan woman at the well.  She suspects he is a prophet because he knows about her failed married life.  She tries to understand his ways by suggesting the Samaritans should also worship in Jerusalem as do the Jews. Jesus informs her that “the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem:” (John 4 21).  Jesus dispels any notion of any people having a claim on God. We are all God’s own.  We should  pray where we are, and we should pray when we feel it is what we need to do. No place or time is outside of the presence of God.

More than that, our Lord Jesus informs her, and us, that God is Spirit; (John 4:24).  God is beyond anything humanly identifiable, except for loving us.  He also goes on to say to her, according to the Aramaic reporters of His words, “I AM he, the one who is speaking to you.” The human form of Jesus is the only humanity that the Holy Spirit of God used to be with us since creation began, and the Holy Spirit of God remains with us to this very day, everywhere and all the time.  

“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.

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

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the Second Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 11:1 to 9; Hebrews 6:13 to 20; John 4:1 to 15:

“A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink’. (His disciples had gone to the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?’ (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)” (John 4:7 – 9)

Many of Jesus’ teachings, as well as his miracle stories, take place with people outside of the Israelite people.  In this particular case the woman at the well is not only a Samaritan, she is also a woman who may not be liked in her own community. She has had many husbands; she goes out at noon, in the heat of the day alone, when no one else is at the well. All of this speaks of her isolation. She is estranged from her own community, but not from Jesus.

It seems Jesus had to be free of his cohorts in order to have this exchange.  They might have interfered.  We’ve seen where the apostles wanted to send hungry people home rather than feed them; keep children away from Jesus, stop a blind man that needed our Lord Jesus and other such instances where the apostles tried to “protect” Jesus.  Jesus, nor we, need protection from people just because they are different from us.  That is, when they are not the same sex, orientation, nationality, language, so called race, religious affiliation or political stripe. But like Jesus, we might have to get away from our regular crowd of influencers in order to be honest with those who differ from us, and with ourselves.

When we hear a stranger ask us how it is that we will be with them given that we are so different, we will know then that we’ve made it.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today our Church remembers the Confession of St. Peter. When Jesus asked his followers who they said he is; “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven; (Matthew 16:16 and 17). Jesus is the rejected stone by humans that is the true Cornerstone of our lives. God’s revelation still guides us into all truth today.

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

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

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 9:18 to 29; Hebrews 6:1 to 12; John 3:22 to 36:

“They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him”” (John 3:26)

We should all learn from John.  John the Baptist did the best job he could with no illusions about keeping his position as a baptizing servant of God as a permanent position.  He told the people plainly that “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

I have held positions of some responsibility in my life. I find the greatest reward for such work are not ribbons or medals but to meet my replacement and wish him or her God speed. All life is temporary.  And within our temporary lives are even more temporary assignments or callings. I don’t think it is healthy or prudent for the position holder, or the people under his or her charge, to hold such a relationship too long. At some point we have to move on.

So we should take a page from John’s play-book and announce in advance that the time is surely coming when leadership will evolve.  Stepping out and away from the limelight can be its own reward. It also gives us time to discern what the Spirit is calling us to next if it be God’s will.

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

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

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 9:1 to 17; Hebrews 5:7 to14; John 3:16 to 21:

“As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.”  (Genesis 9: 9 – 10)

I have learned that some of the other faith traditions also have a flood story. That this Bible story is historically accurate is not so much my concern.  But the lesson here is that we (humans) are the caretakers of the earth and all of its diverse creatures, and this is what I believe God wants us to know.

This message of caretaker is one that shows up frequently in the Bible as well as in my blog. While we are not God, we have a lot of power in terms of regulating our habitats and protecting the various species of life, both plant and animal. 

Our spirituality should go beyond how we relate to each other.  It must be seen by God how we relate to this beautiful planet.  This goes beyond the negligent damage we cause with pollution and reckless harvesting of resources.  We need to clean up our act, but more than that, we need to monitor present and future habitats and the eco-systems around the planet to ensure that all life is in balance in order to promote a safe and healthy planet for all life.

Here is the truth that goes beyond the flood story: God is establishing a covenant with us and our descendants after us, and with every living creature that is with us, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with us.  God wants humanity, in particular, to be more responsible in caring for this planet. We can’t live without this gift of earth, but it can live without us. Perhaps someday we might develop a missile that will thwart an earth bound meteor. This may be part of our divine purpose. But until then we must look at our everyday practices and do what we can to protect the creation we have now.  

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

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

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the 2^nd Week of Epiphany: Year 2

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

Genesis 8:6 to 22; Hebrews 4:14 to 5:6; John 2:23  to 3:15:

“He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” (John 3:2)

This is the way we all approach our Lord Jesus, in the darkness of ignorance.  Nicodemus was somewhat condescending in his talk with Jesus knowing that a person cannot re-enter the womb to be born again.  Jesus was explaining a rebirth using metaphor.  This only further explains the dark cloud of ignorance in which Nicodemus found himself.

One does not know how much they don’t know.  I am thankful for a seminary education. It is not that this religious education made me smart.  Rather, it informed me of just how much I had no clue about.  I think knowing how much you don’t know is the beginning of being smart. This is a good time to recall a quote from Kallistos Ware: “It is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery.  God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.” (Kallistos Ware)

If Nicodemus believed that our Lord Jesus was a teacher who has come from God because no one can do what our Lord Jesus does apart from the presence of God, then, I say, behave that way Nicodemus!  Instead of challenging Jesus, follow him.  And that goes for us too.

Today the United States remembers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocate for civil rights for all people.

Dr King was passionate about his call for justice for all people.  It is reported that he once said that “If a man can’t find something he is willing to die for, he is not fit to live.”  Indeed he did die while raising the awareness of underpaid sanitation workers in Memphis.  Fairness was something he believed in and was willing to die for, and indeed he did die for it.

How about us?  What are we willing to die for?  So often the “what” is changed to “who.”  Many of us will proclaim who we are willing to die for, a significant other, a child, a parent or a friend.   But what about an idea; – a concept of freedom, equality and justice for all people?  As Episcopalians we proclaim in our Baptismal Covenant that we “Will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being;” (BCP 305).  I think Dr King (not an Episcopalian), lived into what we profess. He did more than just lip service to an old, regularly recited covenant. He was fit to live because of his determination for freedom, liberty and justice for all people as valid reasons to die for. And that should go for us as well.

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

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

The Hebrew and Gospel Readings for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany: Year B

First Samuel 3:1 to 20; and, John 1:43 to 51

“Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:48 and 49)

What happened under that fig tree before Philip came to Nathanael?  What was Nathanael going through? What was he caught up in? Was he planning some kind of sin? Was he planning to take his life?  Unlike our First Samuel reading for today where we got to hear what went on between God and the child Samuel, and then Samuel told Eli; We don’t know what Nathanael was going through under the fig tree. The secret and sacred times with God still happen today. It has been said that these are the thin spaces. Let me share two more recent ones with you; one in which we do not know what happened and one in which we do.

C. S. Lewis is remembered as a Christian writer and spiritualist. However he was not always this way.  He was a non believer of God, an agnostic. He later believed in God but had reservations regarding Jesus. And then he writes; “In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.” Two years later, his conversion was completed: “I know very well when, but hardly how, the final step was taken. I was driven to Whipsnade one sunny morning. When we set out, I did not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo, I did.” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for November 22)  What happen in that vehicle? We don’t know.

This weekend we remember Dr Martin Luther King Jr. King lived in constant danger: his home was dynamited, he was almost fatally stabbed, and he was harassed by death threats. He was even jailed 30 times; but through it all he was sustained by his deep faith. In 1957, he received, late at night, a vicious telephone threat. Alone in his kitchen he wept and prayed. He relates that he heard the Lord speaking to him and saying, “Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness, stand up for justice,” and promising never to leave him alone—“No, never alone.” King refers to his vision as his “Mountain-top Experience.” After preaching at Washington Cathedral on March 31, 1968, King went to Memphis in support of sanitation workers in their struggle for better wages. There, he proclaimed that he had been “to the mountain-top” and had seen “the Promised Land,” and that he knew that one day he and his people would be “free at last.” On the following day, April 4, he was cut down by an assassin’s bullet. (Great Cloud of Witnesses for April 4) We know of his experience because he spoke and wrote of it.

What has happened in your life that sealed you to God in Christ Jesus?  Tell somebody about it. Write about it. We need to hear it.

As we continue in this time of service in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. let us understand that our Lord Jesus, still to this very day, visits us in our thin places. When this happens we are changed forever.

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

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