Tag: christianity

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 21: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 101 and 109; Evening,  Psalm 119:121 to 144;
2^nd Kings 18:9 to 25; 1^st Corinthians 8:1 to 13; Matthew 7:13 to 21:

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it;” (Matthew 7:13 and 14).

As a child I used to go on trips with my dad during the summer. He worked for United Van Lines, the moving company.  I was blessed to see all of the continental United States while still a teenager.  Riding in the truck, and occasionally driving, was fun. The packing and moving of furniture was not, it was hard work.

I can remember my dad, on several occasions, finding a truck stop somewhere and tearing down and repacking household goods tighter.  This was a twofold benefit. First, being packed tighter prevented breakage. And second, packing it tighter created more space and we were able to maybe pick up another small shipment going in the same direction.  I will tell you that the last thing I wanted to do was take some supposed downtime, and use it to unpack and repack household goods. It was a hard reality, but in the end, very rewarding; something I didn’t understand until later.

According to our Lord Jesus, our God is asking us to unpack and repack ourselves.  It is probably the last thing any of us wants to do. It is hard work. Because it is a hard road to travel, it is the road less traveled because of its difficulty, and therefore it leads to a very narrow gate.

But if we stay on our path of the hard work, of repacking ourselves tighter and tighter, we will see amazing things, and as we journey, God will give us more as we are creating more space and as we are traveling in the same direction, that is, towards God. Not all will willingly put in the self-work of repacking themselves. The easier way is to just let whatever environment you are in, shape you according to the political, racial, religious, or cultural persuasions you find yourself in.

Our Lord Jesus is inviting us to do the hard work of resisting that which does not get us through the narrow door. It is not easy. We tend to be satisfied with whatever others tell us, or is easy. Such is the wide gate and the easy road that leads to destruction. We are equipped to do the hard work and like me, you may not understand it until later. Now, however, we just walk by faith.

Today our Church remembers Therese of Lisieux, Monastic (October 1, 1897) and her information may be found at: Therese of Lisieux.

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:

O God Almighty, our Creator who loves us, help us we pray to always seek improvement in our spiritual lives of faith. Guide us to, and through, the narrow gate that leads to the eternal life of love, there to have eternal bliss. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 21: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 94;
2^nd  Chronicles 29:1 to 3 and chapter 30; 1^st Corinthians 7:32 to 40; Matthew 7:1 to 12:

‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets:” (Matthew 7:12).

This instruction from our Lord Jesus is the other side of a Jewish teaching which instructs us, “That which is hateful to you, do not do to another; that is the entire Torah, the rest is commentary. Now, go study.” (Shabbat 31a, 6)  This the teaching of Rabbi Hillel when he was asked to explain the whole Torah while standing on one foot.

In both cases the language calls for us to empathize with others.  Both lessons call for us to identify with the ones whom we are talking to, or conducting business with. Jesus says to treat others like you want to be treated. This is known to us as the Golden Rule.  Hillel says, that in your own experience, if something is unpleasant to you, do not cause it to happen to anyone else. In both cases it is “other” related.

I often remember the word “Joy” as a guiding reminder of my day-to-day relationship with people. In this case J-O-Y stands for Jesus, Others, and Yourself.  In this way I am reminded to put Jesus first, then the other (whoever that might be), and then myself.  I try, but I will confess that I don’t always remember joy of J-O-Y.

There is a caution about not letting the concern for the other be something that will be harmful or hurtful to them, or to ourselves.  Every rule of life has to have certain exceptions or cautions that must be applied so that real joy will prevail.  Our Lord Jesus explains that the Golden Rule was the intent of the law and the teaching of the prophets for as long as we have had a relationship with God.

We must be careful in not assuming that because we lean a certain way in life, like perhaps enjoying social events and humor, we shouldn’t assume others do as well. So we can’t take this rule which says, “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you,” as a license to force what we like on others. I think we need to first understand the other and appreciate what he or she likes, and then, if possible, help them with that.  Again, empathy, the learning of the other is so important. Understanding someone is learning to love them more deeply. Love is the real intent of the Golden Rule.

Today our Church remembers Jerome, Scholar, Translator and Theologian (September 30) and his information may be found at: Jerome.

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:

Ever loving and eternal Lord Jesus, help us we pray, to “be” those we meet and identify with their needs and concerns and to show hospitality always. In this way we receive You Lord Jesus, even without knowing it. Help us to be baptized into servanthood through Your body and blood. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 21: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 89:1-18; Evening, Psalm 89:19-52;
2^nd Kings 17:24 to 41; 1^st Corinthians 7:25 to 31; Matthew 6:25 to 34:

“For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well;” (Matthew 6:32 and 33)

We have a hymn in one of our Hymnals that sings, “Seek Yee First the Kingdom of God” (1982 Hymnal, # 711).  It uses Matthew 6:33 as its focus.  These words are sung with a lot of feeling.  But do they ever last in our hearts?

I recall that our Lord gave Solomon the wisdom he asked for and then added to his gift of wisdom, riches, and long life, which he did not ask for.  Our God is generous and loving.  All we have to do is put God and our community first, that is, ahead of ourselves.

Jesus says that our Father knows that we need, “all these things,” the provisions necessary for us to be sustained and more than that, to be communal with one another, and God is pleased to provide them. Today we really need food, shelter, clothing, and we also need transportation and communication ability.  We are a needy lot. I think that’s why the words “all these things,” were spoken by our Lord.  We would fill in what “all these things” are, later.

Let us not forget the most important point here.  We must make God first.  Once we make God number One, all else will fall into place. We must start thinking eternally now in this temporal, biological, life. Only then will the little temporal things like food, shelter, clothing, transportation and communication fall into their insignificant little places. The eternal thing, that is, love in the Presence of God, will never, never, never end. Let this last forever in your hearts.

Today our Church remembers Saint Michaels and all Angels;  On the Feast of Michael and all Angels, popularly called Michaelmas, we give thanks for the many ways in which God’s loving care watches over us, both directly and indirectly, and we are reminded that the richness and variety of God’s creation far exceeds our knowledge of it; taken from, and can be found at;  St. Michael and All Angels (satucket.com).  We sometimes hurt, even as we hurt others, but we forgive as we are forgiven. Let us still listen to the Angels as they speak and act for God.

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: (St Michael and All Angels, BCP p. 244)

Everlasting God, who has ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 21: Year C

Luke 16:19-31                                                                                

“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)

Referring to another Gospel may be a bit off but when I get what I believe to be related messages I like to call attention to it.  In the Gospel according to Matthew we hear Jesus tell Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19); and again the same words in Matthew 18:18 (Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.)

The rich man in the Gospel according to Luke experiences this.  He could not let go of his privileged status.  He assumes that because he was important on earth, he is important in heaven.  His world is turned upside down.  He thinks so much of himself that even in his dire situation he will not speak with Lazarus directly.  He thinks himself above Lazarus.  What he bound on earth has stuck with him in heaven and is witnessed against him.

While you and I are still in this life on earth we have the opportunity to have “loosed” whatever is going to hinder us in heaven.  We must humble ourselves now so that when that time comes (and it will) we will be on the good side of that great chasm from which no one can cross even if we can talk over it as Father Abraham and the rich man did.

The closer our joys and pains are to each other, the less difference it makes if our world is turned upside down.  It is perhaps more pleasing to be at least remembered rather than celebrated: and to remember those in need rather than ignore them altogether. As we hold back for ourselves, let us reach out to those forgotten.

We should live our lives in moderation. We should appreciate having what we need and at the same time care for those in need as we are able to do so. It is better that we all live safe and comfortable lives than to be so polarized that while a few live very well, a great many suffer hunger and hardship. The Holy Spirit cautions us that the Lazarus of this world could witness against us in the next.

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: Proper 21: The Sunday closest to September 28 (BCP p. 234)

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 20: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136;
2^nd Kings 11:1 to 20a; 1st Corinthians 7:10 to 24; Matthew 6:19 to 24:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6:21)

While I really liked the adherence to the keeping of the Sabbath by at least a third of the military in our 2^nd Kings reading, the reading was filled with greed on the part of the mother queen who had all her family rivals killed. She was more concerned about her own privilege and power.  The last verse our Matthew Gospel reading speaks to this, it says, “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth:” (Matthew 6:24).

I have for a long time now took issue with verse 21 which suggests our hearts follows our treasure, that is, our hearts follows our money. This statement automatically puts money first.  I think rather, our treasure, (whatever discretionary income we might have), follows our hearts, that is, what we are truly interested in. So for me, our treasure follows our heart.

Our hearts might be our Church, it might be our car, it might be our education, it might even be our money and the associated power that comes with it.  That is what drove the queen in the 2^nd Kings reading to murder, and eventually to her own death.  We must be better than that.

I am interested in many things. However, I don’t have the money to truly follow all of them.  My ministry is most important to me. I devote much of my day to the study of scripture and writing what I believe will be an encouraging word for others. I also enjoy learning and playing music. But even my music is spiritual. I pay for piano lessons and practice daily. I let selected hymns be my motivation for righteous living.

I strongly encourage you who read this message to first discern your heart’s desire. Ask yourself if your heart’s desire is hurtful or helpful to humanity.  If it is helpful, continue on. Then, only as you are able, look at your money beyond your basic necessities and your charitable giving (which includes your Church) and let your treasure follow your heart. I truly believe that where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.

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.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 20: Year 1

 Morning, Psalm 34; Evening, Psalms 85 and 86;
2^nd Kings 9:1 to16; 1^st Corinthians 6:12 to 20; Matthew 6:1 to 6 and16 to 18:

“Truly I tell you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:2).

Our Lord Jesus has a huge task.  He is warning the people, and us, to not be like the Pharisees in their hypocrisy. He further explains that such hypocrisy seeks the reward of people, not God.

Jesus uses examples of piety, alms giving, public prayer, and fasting, as ways that the “want-to-be” holy people draw human glory to themselves. Human glory is not of God, and it is not eternal.

Our Lord Jesus teaches us to keep a low profile. He says for us to work in secret. He asks us to not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing. For me this means that we should not make public the kindness we show even to those who are rude. And we should keep quiet about the giving of our money to the more needy in the world. Too many of us act as if we are running for public office and want the approval of the masses in order that we might get elected. It is narcissism, self glorification and the opposite of who God is calling us to be.

God wants us to glorify, and give thanks back to God for all that God is doing for us, the miracles that we know about, as well as the goodness that God is doing for us that we don’t  know about (until later).  Our Creator is continuously at work in human life providing us with what we need to sustain ourselves. God even answers unspoken prayers because God knows better than we do, what we really need.  This is something to ponder.

None of us are God or even close. The best way to be more like God is not to seek glory or admiration from others, but rather to just love others, and more especially, those who seem to be un-loveable. If we seek the glory and admiration of people, and then actually get it, then we have already traded our future reward of eternal life for the cheap payment of human admiration. This means we have already been paid. Let us rather hold out for the greater gift of eternity with God in Christ Jesus. While we sometimes can’t stop people from showing us respect for being good people, we should not use this respect as some kind of public credit for personal advancement. We are called to love and serve others because God is working through us for the benefit of those around us. Therefore, we must redirect all glory to God.

Today we remember Sergius of  Radonezh, Abbot of Holy Trinity (September 25, 1392) and his information may be found at: Sergius.

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.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday, Proper 20: Year C

Luke 16:1-13

“He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.”  (Luke 16:6)

In this world of the power of money we should always remember to let compassion rule over cash. I think we only created money so that trade for much needed items, from someone else, could be conducted with a less perishable medium.  Live stock, olive oil, grain, fish, fruit and other food items will not hold up for long.  Currency in the form of coins, on the other hand, will often last a lifetime and can even be handed down to following generations. But money was always about the ability to take care of the needs of the family and community.  This was the idea of people fulfilling their needs and not so much about profit. Money was the means to a needed end.

Then we began to make money the end rather than the means. We began to pursue money for its own end.  Money soon began to be the object of worship. The new replacement priests were the people who had the most money. People with little or no money were people of little or no value. We somehow forgot that money was just a tool for getting what we needed. We forgot we needed each other more than the goods that money would buy. We forgot about being good to those who we knew had less wealth than we did. We should always consider our own fallen state. We are no better than those people we manage or those who have less money than we do. We are all without money in God’s eyes. After his exposure the crafty manager in our Gospel wants to be remembered for how he put money aside in order to help his neighbors. Right now we are creating the memory that others will have of us. Our priorities will be evidenced by where we put people in relation to wealth.  We can’t have it both ways.  We can’t serve God and money. 

This decision to be nice to people only came about when the shrewd manager was told about the accounting that was about to take place. This accounting is going to take place with every one of us.  This is a good time for a review of my personal creed again: “We trust in the Creating Word, through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word, in whom we live and move and love and have our being, and to whom we must give an account.” 

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. 234)

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; Evening, Psalm 73;
2^nd  Kings 1:2 to 17; 1^st Corinthians 3:16 to 23; Matthew 5:11 to 16:

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14 to 16)

Light is a tricky thing. It can be tainted. It can project a darkness in spite of being light. In our proposed morning Psalm for today, Psalm 69, we have the option of not saying verses 24 through 30 in the Book of Common Prayer.  These verses carry with it a desire for God to wreak havoc on those we deem evil or mean.  I say, God knows the whole story, therefore let God do what God will do.

Our Lord Jesus says we who follow Him are the light, or lights, of the world.  Douglas R. A. Hare, writing for Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching: Matthew; argues that the “Your” is plural and that we, collectively as Church, must be such a light. There may be something to that but I believe our individual light must start within our individual selves. And, it is when our individual light is joined with other, inclusive, all-loving lights, that we, the Church, bring the whole world into the Light of Christ. There can be no shades, bushel baskets or “recommended omissions” in it.

I am reminded of the Negro Spiritual, “This Little Light of Mine,” as arranged by Horace Boyer and published in the Hymnal “Lift Every Voice and Sing II,” (1993).

“This Little Light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”  Yes it starts with our individual selves.  Prayerfully, as young ones, parents, teachers, preachers and such, will plant in us a loving response to the world. The next verse says, “Everywhere I go, I’m gonna let it shine.”  This applies from going next door, going to school or Church, or work or store, or around the world. We must let our little lights shine.  The last verse says, “Jesus gave it to me, I’m gonna let it shine.”  I say, Thank You Lord Jesus.

“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

Today we remember Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury (September 19, 690) and his information may be found at:Theodore of Tarsus

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:

O Almighty God, You are the ever-glowing light that brings our day into being and the little pilot light that burns in our hearts. Help us we pray to illumine the places we travel every day and to share Your light of love to all whom we meet, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 19: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening,  Psalm 74:
1^st Kings 22:29 to 45; 1^st Corinthians 2:14 to 3:15; Matthew 5:1 to 10:

“Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.” (1^st Corinthians 2:14 and 15)

I continue today in the spiritual sphere.  I have heard it said that we are spiritual beings learning to be human, not human beings learning to be spiritual.  I can’t remember who said it, but it sounds right.

Paul says that he built on a foundation begun in Christ that others also must build on. Personally, I don’t believe he is the only one.  We have other foundation builders who have built on it as well. There is Peter, James, Mary Magdalene and of course Christ himself.  The second part of Paul’s verse bears this out, “Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ:” (1^st Corinthians 3:10 and 11).

My beloved of the Lord, let us not be afraid to let go and let God. You don’t have to have answers, just wonder and adoration. “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) 

Being spiritual is not foolishness. It is a discerning gift from God for all who wish to have it.  It is like mysticism.  The great mystic Evelyn Underhill speaks of the availability of mysticism. “Evelyn Underhill’s most valuable contribution to spiritual literature must surely be her conviction that the mystical life is not only open to a saintly few, but to anyone who cares to nurture it and weave it into everyday experience,” (Great Cloud of Witnesses for June 15)

God is Spirit according to the Gospel accounts of John (4:24).  And all who want to worship God must do so in spirit and truth.  You, who are reading this blog, are a spiritual child of God. Live spiritually and discern all things, and be subject to no one’s scrutiny. For me, this is pondering. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest and Renewer of the Church (September 17, 1882) and his information may be found at:Edward Bouverie Pusey.

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: (I Pray again what I prayed yesterday)

Come Holy Spirit, lead us and guide us in ways that are pleasing to You and nurturing to our neighbors. Work in us that which is good for our environment and our health, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.