Tag: christianity

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 14: Year C

Luke 12:32-40

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)

Ok, here is the challenge.  When is it that we expect the coming of the Lord?  Being ready is not about preparing for the big day.  It is about living everyday as if this day, is the day.

If Jesus comes to you next Saturday and ask you when was the last time you prayed what would your answer be?  Would it be “this morning?”  Would it be “last night?”  Would it be last Sunday in Church?”  Would it be the last Sunday that you attended a Sunday Service?”  And could your response be, “Lord, I don’t know?”  No, what we really don’t know is when Jesus will come, and when he does, if He will ask such a question.

Bishop’s visits are announced.  We know the day he is coming, and there is a certain amount of preparation to take place for that event.  But what if Bishop’s visits were unannounced?  It would kind of go like this; “Oh MY God. Look y’all, the Bishop is in the parking lot and coming to our Church today!  What are we going to do?”  In my days as Rector here I would have told you exactly what we were going to do.  We are going to have Church and the Bishop is going to lead and celebrate and I don’t have to worry about whether or not my sermon works because he is now going to preach.  Halleluiah!

This day and age we can read about events on social media almost as soon as it happens because phones are active, perhaps even active right now in the pews.  But active phones in the pews won’t relate to you the presence of Jesus should Jesus decide to be at our Church on any given Sunday; you know, just kind of checking things out, to see whose regular and not just coming when they think he will be here.

Of course I can hear it now; “Man, if I knew Jesus was going to be at our parish I would have been there.”  Or, “Wow, if I knew Jesus was going to just pop in and ask me the last time I prayed, I would have been praying when he appeared.” Jesus knows that’s what we would say. But that’s not what Jesus is looking for.  Jesus is not looking for you getting ready; Jesus is looking for you being ready. Jesus is not looking for how you want to live your life; Jesus is looking for how you are living your life.

Today’s message is not about tomorrow. It is about right now. It is about looking for Jesus now. It is about expecting Jesus in our life right now, this moment.  The last thing you want to be texted to you from the pews if you are not in Church is, “Jesus came to our Church today and is promising all of us who are here today that we will be with him in paradise.  Sorry you weren’t here.  Love you, bye.” Let’s go the Church because it’s Sunday because that’s what we Christians do, every Sunday. This is how we are found always ready. Let us always pray and attend as much as possible.  Halleluiah!

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. 232)

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Preface of the Lord’s Day

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 13: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening,  Psalm 136;
2^nd  Samuel 12:15 to 31; Acts 20:1 to 16; Mark 9:30 to 41:

“Then his servants said to him, ‘What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while it was alive; but when the child died, you rose and ate food.’ He said, ‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, “Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me, and the child may live.” But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me:” (2^nd Samuel 12: 21 to 23).

David models for us the position that we should have, as we go to God on behalf of a loved one. We pray, and perhaps we should pray with much fasting and tears as we beg God to intervene in our downward spiral, hardship or sickness, or circumstance of what a loved one is going through.

While David wanted the child to live, he also knew that God’s will, will be done. But more than that, David says something very truthful:  “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” 

We all have lost loved ones that have gone on before us.  They will not come back to us. However, we too will one day pass away.  When we do, we will join those who have gone before us. My beloved of the Lord, this life is not the end. David was so correct in saying “I shall go to him.”

However, it is especially difficult to experience the passing of an infant or a young child. So our prayer for any of us who have lost a child might be: “Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: deal graciously with us in our grief. Surround us with your love, that we may not be overwhelmed by our loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (BCP 494)

When these kinds of sad things happen the only thing we have left is prayer. David went into deep consultation with God but in the end, God did not spare David’s son.  And as we know, God did not spare His only Son either. Love has no limits as part of its makeup. Death, even the death of an innocent, cannot be a reason to leave the love and judgment of God. In the end as David said, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me:” We shall go to them, but they will not return to us.

Today we remember Edith Stein, Philosopher, Monastic and Martyr (1942) and her information may be found at Edith Stein.

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.

Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 13: Year C

 Luke 12:13-21

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you.” (Luke 12:20)

This passage is taken from the parable of the “Rich Fool.”  This parable is used by Jesus to show a younger brother that his desire for wealth made wealth his idol. Moreover, he would do well to not worry about material things but rather the kingdom of heaven.

To be clear the rich man in the parable that Jesus uses to teach from is not an evil man.  He has not cheated his workers or stolen anything.  However, he has benefited from the sun, the soil, and the rains in due season.  Because of this tri-fecta of blessings he obtained wealth.  And this wealth becomes his god and begins to own him.  It has him talking to himself. It has him planning for himself only. It has him living for himself only.  And finally, it even has him congratulating himself.  Where is the Creating, Redeeming and Sanctifying God in his plan, his life, his living and his praise?

Jesus comes into the world after money comes into the world.  Before the coins of currency, time was a big issue.  People had to trade before crops spoiled. And there was great dependence on God for tomorrow’s sustenance. Money begins to avert our dependence on God.  Money then became a god. 

All around the rich fool were the poor.  But apparently it never occurred to him to share his stores with them.  I know people who don’t have much. And by the way they distribute what little they do have, they probably never will.  But they give to the needy, They give to the children of the poor. They give to their church.  They are rich in the Kingdom of God! Instead of being rich fools, they are the holy saints of heaven that will dwell in light eternal.  Because they are looking after the poor and lonely in this world, God will take care of them in the next. 

I have worked with families who fought bitterly over wealth at the time of the death of an older family member.  It is not pretty. I think what is saddest about it is the concern and energy put into wanting the money and property of the deceased. I have also seen the property fights regarding divorce settlements, again, not pretty. Instead of thinking about what we need, we think about what we can get.

We should focus our desire on the Kingdom of heaven and go back in our corporate spiritual ancestry and learn to re-trust in God for tomorrow’s sustenance.  God is God before time began. God was God when we depended on the short life of crops and livestock.  That same God is our God today.  Just because we have coins, currency, credit cards, stocks and bonds we are not out from under the domain of God.  This is the God before time. This is the God before money. This is the God of now. And, this is the God that always will be.  This God is watching how we use our borrowed resources during the little time we are here.  We should not want to be so much concerned with who will get what remains of our wealth after we are gone. Rather, we want to be concerned with where our soul remains after we are gone. This very night our life could be demanded of us. Let us seek ye first the Kingdom of 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: (BCP p. 232)

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; 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 12: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69; Evening, Psalm 73;
2^nd  Samuel 5:1to 12; Acts 17:1 to 15; Mark 7:24 to 37

“But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone:” (Mark 7: 28 to 30)

This is probably one of the greatest examples of humility in the Bible. The Gentile (Syrophoenician) woman and mother of a young possessed daughter will go to whomever she can in order to rid her daughter of a demon.

The lesson for us is to not boast about our ethnicity, race, culture or ancestry.  I continue to preach that it is not what you are, that means anything, but rather, who you are.  The only blood relationship that mattered to the Syrophoenician woman is her direct offspring; her daughter. Will her daughter appreciate her mother’s courage and devoted love for her when she is old enough to realize what her mother did to save her?  Who knows?

I agree with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It is the content of one’s character that determines who a person really is.

Our Lord Jesus felt the faith, love and humility of the Syrophoenician mother.  Our Lord Jesus still feels the faith love and humility of each of us no matter our race, country of origin, language, or ancestry.  We, all of us, are people brought forth in the spiritual image of the Creator.

We were brought forth by love, to love. All barriers set up by humankind such as race, language, nationality, and sexual orientation, have their origin in the desire to disrupt our God-given gift of love for one another. We are most especially gifted to love those who differ from us in looks and language.  Too often, what a person looks like and, or, where they are from, makes us judge them harshly.  This ought not to be.  Let us look upon our brothers and sister as they express their joy in their vocations, their hobbies, their love of family, or their significant other.  We should not want anybody to be sad or miserable. When our neighbor is joyful, we can share in their joy.  Sharing in the healthy joy of others shows God the content of our character.

Today we remember Joseph of Arimathaea (August 1 NT) and his information may be found at Joseph of Arimathaea.

“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. John

Let us pray:

Dear Holy and ever-living and ever-loving God, in whom we trust with our very existence, help us we pray to put aside everything that divides us from one another in order that we may fully embrace real love for all people as did our Lord Jesus with His compassion and love, for Your mercy’s sake. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 12: Year 1

 Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74;
2^nd  Samuel 4:1 to 12; Acts 16:25 to 40; Mark 7:1 to 23:

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them:” (Acts 16: 25).

Before I get to the holy habits of Paul and Silas and their systematic worship of prayer and song, let me remind us about the habits of David. He regularly killed those whom he felt wronged him, as can be seen from our 2^nd Samuel reading for today.  He had sinful habits of “getting even.”  I find this most ungodly. David killed, or had people killed who thought they were doing what he wanted them to do.  I understand that it was a time of no communications technology and  commander’s intent was not always known.  Perhaps more effort could have been made to ensure his troops understood that he did not want everybody killed, but rather brought before him.  Don’t get me wrong. I honor the contributions of David, especially the Psalms he wrote. But every biblical hero we have, had flaws, except our Lord Jesus.

Paul and Silas, who had been bound and whipped with rods, sang songs to God and they prayed when they could. I hope two things for myself. First, I hope I have the steadfast dedication to love, worship an honor God, even if only half as much as Paul and Silas did. Second, I really hope and pray that I am never tested like they were.

Saul, with the direction of the Risen Lord, was transformed from one who, like David of old, was moved from supporting having people killed to one who desired all to have hope for eternal life. As Paul and Silas sang and prayed, the prisoners around them listened and witnessed their inner strength. Hope was spread throughout the dark and dirty chamber of confinement. The men were transformed so much so that when the earthquake occurred and everyone’s chains were unfastened, they didn’t flee, as I think I would be inclined to do.  But no, they were drawn to the light that Paul and Silas were illuminating. The prisoners as well as the jailer realized and experienced a power greater than the limitations of human life with its mortal hurts and pains.  The jailer himself went from wanting to kill himself to having his whole household baptized.

Witnessing the power of our Lord Jesus is transformative. David was a man of writing Psalms and harp playing.  Paul wrote letters, prayed and sang hymns, even as he had to remember Steven being stoned earlier when he assisted in such an act of sin; (Acts 8:1).  David and Paul, like ourselves, can be transformed. We too can experience conversion. It seems that the prescription for such healing has something to do with praying and singing hymns. It may take us a while, but it works. And when we sing and pray, it not only changes us, it improves the lives of those around us.

Today we remember Ignatius of Loyola, Mystic, Educator, Preacher and Founder of the Jesuits (July 31 1556) and his information may be found at Ignatius of Loyola.

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 Lord, God Almighty, be with us in our prayers and keep us ever mindful of our need to pray daily. Help us to meditate on Your loving kindness towards us that we also may show loving kindness to all as did our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 12: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening, Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36;
2^nd Samuel 3:6 to 21; Acts 16:6 to 15; Mark 6:30 to 46:

“On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there:” (Acts 16:13).

Paul was in Philippi but apparently there was no synagogue. So Paul went outside the gate by the river.  I ponder about whether or not this was the normal custom that an Israelite, or Christian, or any traveling worshiper looking for his or her faith community might do if there was no designated place for prayer.

I feel like there is something wonderful about being outside in nature that provides a closeness to God. I especially connect with the Holy at the beach or in the mountains.  But I have also felt a closeness to God in open plains as well.  God is everywhere.  Buildings built especially for the purpose of drawing us into the spiritual sense sometimes fail.  We perhaps, maybe just need to get outside more often and save buildings for rainy days.  Our Lord Jesus performed most of his healing and teaching outside.  Every part of this earth is sacred and holds a spiritual conduit to God.

Lydia is a person to ponder. While she obviously has a spacious home, large enough to house Paul and his companions, she herself was outside for worship. She was a business woman and a prominent member of her community. But it seems that going down by the water to pray is as ancient a human calling as is keeping a fire going.  It sometimes can’t be explained, it just is.

Lastly, there is something else in the verse that I want to explore, or ponder about. When we read words like “When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us:” (Acts 16: 15) 

 I wonder who the “us” were that the writer is talking about?  Many believe that it was Luke who wrote the Gospel named after him as well as the Acts of the Apostles.  Perhaps Luke is a hidden tag-a-long on Paul’s journeys.  He records everything but does not mention himself. For me, this is another lesson in the humility of invisibility. I am learning that I don’t need to be the center of things and certainly should not bring attention to myself for some kind of human credit. The only credit we should care about is how God sees the love in our hearts.

Today we remember Mary and Martha of Bethany, (July 29) and the First Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in the Episcopal Church (July 29, 1974) and their information may be found at: Mary & Martha of Bethany; and First Ordination of Women to the Priesthood in The; respectively.

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. 825)                    

O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper12: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 56 and 57, ; Evening, Psalms 64 and 65;
2^nd  Samuel 2:1 to 11; Acts 15:36 to 16:5; Mark 6:14 to 29:

“The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord:” (Acts 15: 39 and 40).

Splitting in the Christian Church is as old as the Church itself.  There is a little evidence of this at the Resurrection of our Lord when Thomas was not with the eleven and had to be told that they had seen the Risen Jesus. If we look closely we can see a little divisiveness in many places.

As our Church grew it split more and more. I have traced the thread that leads to the Episcopal Church of the United States.  The Church starts at the foot of the Cross. From there it moves to Rome. But some who doubted that path never made it to Rome but rather went to Egypt, Asia, and other places. 

From the Church in Rome came the Western and Eastern Churches. From the Western Church came the Roman Catholic Church and from this Church came the Church of England. From the Church of England came the Episcopal Church of the United States of America.

Even our Episcopal Church has had a split as those of us who opposed the leadership of women; and also could not accept the full embrace of our brothers and sisters whose sexual orientation is not heterosexual, felt that they could no longer worship with us.

Many of our splits are not well thought out.  While it sounds old fashioned to say “What would Jesus do?” there is truth in it.  Any step away that encourages us not to love another is not Christ-like. Women had leadership positions with Jesus and we have no language from Jesus regarding homosexual rejection.  I feel like, sadly, we look for reasons (any reason), to separate from the main body of Christ. 

My hope and prayer is that at some level, no matter how small, we began the process of coming back together. It may take another thousand years or more. But I would like to see a Christian body reject the notion of splitting because something didn’t go their way. I would like to see something like a Lutheran, Methodist, and/or Episcopal merger. Wow! This would reverse what Paul and Barnabas did 2000 years ago.  If we could let our love of Jesus hold us together regardless of our selfish desires for the path of the Church, we would indeed be more Christ-like.

Today we remember Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer (1750) and his information may be found at: Johann Sebastian Bach.

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: 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 any thing 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.

The Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 12: Year C

Luke 11:1-13

“And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’  I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.” (Luke 11: 5 – 8)

God has hard-wired us to seek and to assist. It is our human nature to solve mysteries, be it the rotation of the universe or the cure for cancer. We look for answers.  We have inquiring minds and we want to know stuff. Today Google is flooded with people finding information about myriads upon myriads of all kinds of things.  We are born to ask, both for what we need and for what we want. 

Within the tradition of humanity is also the concept of hospitality.  From time to time we all find ourselves in need.  When thus found, we need the help of others. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is our human condition.  Every person that hears the request of another has to deal with how they will respond to each situation.  I have a very dear friend who carries in his upper left pocket 2 or 3 small envelopes which contain a dollar and a Bible verse in each.  When a person approaches him for money he hands the person an envelope and bids them peace. I myself will adopt this response. A dollar or two is not much but it is a response. It helps satisfy that human need to respond. Even if the timing is bad, we will help if we listen to our hearts. We have this drive to respond to the need of others (friend or stranger). I believe there are more Good Samaritans among us today than there used to be.  We are born to help.

So we ask for help, and when we can, we render help to others.  This is God’s desire for us to be a loving community.  Yes, we still have way too many bad apples.  But we don’t give up because of them.  We endure. We pursue what is good and upright.  When we need help we ask for it.  It is not a matter of pride that we should suffer loss.  We ask someone to help us and we also may help another down the road.  All resources come from God.  We’re just borrowing from God.  And we should keep our eyes open for our brothers and sisters who may not ask, yet be in need.

Being born to ask, and born to help, also means that we are born to live in harmony with each other.  I know people who are too proud to ask for the help they need.  And perhaps if they are criticized about it, they ought to feel reluctant to ask.  So those of us who can help must be vigilant in making sure that we are “grateful” to know that an unexpected opportunity has come to us. And never, never shame, or in any way speak down or look down on anyone who needs our help.  One day it could be us.  If we can Google about the universe, we surely can ask about, and respond to, our needs, and the needs of others in our midst.  We want to take comfort in knowing that we live in a community that takes care of God’s own. We are all, God’s own.

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. 231)

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen