Tag: christianity

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 11: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:49 to 72; Evening, Psalm 49;
 1^st Samuel 25:23 to 44; Acts 14:19 to 28; Mark 4:35 to 41:

“He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4: 39 and 40)

As one who ponders, I ponder about what “rebuking” language our Lord Jesus might have used to still the wind and the sea. Did the writers of our Gospel put human, regional words in the divine mouth of God Incarnate so as to make it more palatable for us?  Remember that our Lord Jesus spoke in Aramaic.  This was translated into Greek as originally written in our New Testament, and then later the Greek into Latin, and the Latin into the tongues of various peoples across the known world.  How much was lost? How much was miss-translated? How much was added to make it more palatable?

Our Lord Jesus being fully God and fully human only has to wish it done, and it is done. Of all in creation, humanity is the only being that God attempts to reason with.  We are the only ones who God tries to appeal to, to reckon with. And for us, and for our sakes, our Lord Jesus does indeed use our words when speaking directly to us. I’m still curious about how God addresses creation outside of humanity.

God could have made us as subservient as the wind and the sea and all others in creation. But obedience then would not have been our choice so much as a God-given instinct. But we have autonomy and in our autonomy a little piece of God dwells in us.  God wants to see how that little piece of God in us makes us different from all else in creation, and hopefully, in a good and loving way.

That little piece of God in us is what we English speakers call faith. (I invite non English speakers to examine their own word for faith). Why then do we too often fear one another and other forms of existence in creation? We, all humanity, are connected through the divine Presence of God that dwells in us.  And nothing, within, or outside of humanity, can separate us from the love of God. We are God’s own, in this world, and with faith, in the next world as well. This is why our frustrated Lord Jesus asks, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Today we remember John Cassian, Abbot at Marseilles (433) and his information may be found at: John Cassian.

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 Human Family (BCP p. 815)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 11: Year 1

Morning,  Psalm 45; Evening,  Psalms 47 and 48;
 1^st Samuel 25:1 to 22; Acts 14:1 to 18; Mark 4:21 to 34:

“And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to maltreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news:” (Acts 14:5 to 7).

Normally I am not one to be scared off when the going gets rough. But maybe, this is God’s way of getting the Word of God to more, and different people and places.  Sometimes we just have to move on. Perhaps it’s a way of “shaking the dust off your shoes as a testimony against them.”

There are several places in the Bible where God believing people have had to flee only to continue in the faith.   Moses, David, Elijah, Paul and others have had to relocate in order to perpetuate the word.

In more near modern times, The Amish of Europe were all but exterminated. But they fled to America and even then had to settle in Pennsylvania in order to continue in their faith. Sometimes we have to choose to run away in order to live and teach another day,

So it’s not a matter of being scared off.  It is more a matter of recognizing that the current people around you are not ready to receive the Good News. But God knows that there are people very near you who long for sustaining words. We just have to keep moving. We are not to give up, or give in.  We are to move on.

Such moving on is not always a physical location.  In our time of “E” relationships, moving on could just be a matter of deselecting one group and selecting another. In this blog I have reached people all over the globe who have selected me.  My words do not always fall on ears of welcome. But again, I’m not scared off, I just knock the dust off and keep sharing. Somewhere, someone is moved by the words that God is speaking through me.

I receive God’s words as words of love and inclusion. I also know when God holds me in silence because the words that come to me are not God’s but mine. It is perhaps more important today in our “E” community to discern what is from God and what is not, before one hits the send, or publish button. I strive to be one of the communicating saints of God and I invite all the selfless saints to be filled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and join me in spreading the Word to all who are longing for it.  It is so much easier today to just move on if there is no love found in a few folks for what God is trying to do through you.

Today we remember Mary Magdalene, First Witness of the Resurrection (July 22 NT) and her information may be found at: Mary Magdalene.

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:

Help us dear God, the Creator and Lover of heaven and earth, to live and teach Your instruction wherever we are, and then use us as it pleases You to relocate if that is Your will in order that we may be of even greater service where needed, in Your Holy Spirit we pray, Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 11: Year C

Luke 10:38-42      

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing, Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41- 42)

This is a story about hospitality. It is also a story about priority.  The hospitality part shows how important listening to our guests is over the efforts of making them comfortable. This Gospel lesson is paired up in track 2 with the Genesis story of the three visitors to Abraham as he sat by the oaks of Mamre at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. (Genesis 18: 1-10) Abraham makes provision for them and then stands by them as they refresh themselves.  He listens to his guests.  He is present with them as Mary is present with Jesus in our Gospel lesson from Luke today.

I have learned through my EfM (Education for Ministry) classes, that hospitality is more than just offering a meal and refreshments.  It is about presence. It is about listening.  If someone goes to a home gathering and grabs food and sits alone without conversing with anyone else and then just leaves after consuming the food, no relationship or real hospitality was accomplished. The better part is to have dialogue, conversation.  It doesn’t necessarily mean agreement, just sharing and listening. This is the better part of hospitality. We must be attentive to the better parts and then thank God that it will not be taken away from us, which brings us to the priority part.

The priority part causes us to be mindful of the presence of Christ over all else and the; “this will not be taken away from her” part, shows its eternal nature. Food and work comes and goes.  Being in the presence of God is eternal. I have been, and still become, both Martha and Mary.  Martha is a good tool to use when we don’t want to face what’s really going on.

Inevitably the reality of the eternal sets in.  We must choose the better part. Within the context of hospitality there is a priority that should be established.  This is true whether your guests are family, old or new friends, or neighborhood children. Our house rules should require us to listen, learn and love.

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)

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 10: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32; evening,  Psalms 42 and 43.

1^st  Samuel 22:1 to 23; Acts 13:26 to 43; Mark 3:19b to 35:

“The king said to the guard who stood around him, ‘Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David; they knew that he fled, and did not disclose it to me.’ But the servants of the king would not raise their hand to attack the priests of the Lord” (1^st Samuel 22:17).

I was an active duty U. S. Marine for thirty years.  I must admit that while I was often told to do something that I did not want to do, I was never ordered to do something immoral or against my faith as I understood my faith.  I now also belong to a fraternity which makes it very clear that before I swear to an obligation, that obligation will not conflict with my duty to God, my country, my neighbor or myself.  I can live with this understanding.

I have the utmost respect for the guards who refused to obey Saul and kill Ahimelech, priest of the Lord. At some point in each life we must listen to our conscience. Our conscience resides in our souls.  This is where God speaks to us. Any government or ruler who requires us to go against our conscience, our soul, our God, must not be obeyed.  Who knows? There may be others around you who are on the fence about what to do, but witnessing your steadfastness about what is right to do, helps them to do the right thing also. When confused about what is right to do, try to err on the side of love, compassion and mercy.

Today we remember Macrina the Younger, Monastic and Teacher (July 19, 379) and her information may be found at: Macrina the Younger

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 Saturday of Proper 9: Year 1:

Morning, Psalms 20, 21:1-78-14); Evening,  Psalms 110:1 to 5, 116 and  117;
1^st  Samuel 17:31 to 49; Acts 11:1 to 18; Mark 1:14-28:

“Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God.  So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, ‘Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” (Acts 11:1 to 3).

You readers of this passage perhaps do not need an extended translation of this passage.  But indulge me if you will.  Here I go: “Now the apostles and the disciples who were in Judea, but still down the hill from Jerusalem, heard that some non-Jew Greeks have also believed and accepted the word of God in Christ Jesus.  Peter (also a Jew), climbed the mountain to Jerusalem and who had visited with these non-Jew Greeks, found himself in the presence of Jews who heard about him, and who believed in God but perhaps not in Jesus. They believed in God, whom they also believed brought all life into being and who made all humankind in the image of God, yet they found fault in Peter for trying to reconcile the stranger to the belief in God through Christ Jesus.” End extended translation.

Peter will go on to share his story about inclusivity in his food example wherein nothing that God has made is profane, including the uncircumcised, or Greek non-Jews.

Maybe it would be a good idea to review our Church stance on this matter.  In our Book of Common Prayer, on page 855 of the Catechism, we are asked the question; “What is the mission of the Church?” The answer: “The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”

Any time we frame a question wherein it is an “us – them” scenario we have missed the holy mark. In God’s eyes we are all the same. However, some of us have been set apart to show the humble life. Some of us have been called and set aside to serve others regardless of what they believe or don’t believe. Some of us have been called and set apart to make charitable contributions that will assist those in need regardless of who they are.  Those of us who are called in this way and set aside, are called Christians. Christianity is not for the faint of heart. It is a high calling for a low walk. We are called to love those thought to be unlovable. We are called to pray for those who curse us; we are called to withstand some abuse and continue to march as Christian soldiers.  We are fortified with the Love of God, for the desire of God, that all humanity will be reconciled back to God. We do this work with love. If this is God’s desire as Peter says, who are we to hinder God?

Today we remember Nathan Soderrblom, Archbishop of Uppsala (1931)  and his information may be found at: Nathan Söderblom.

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 Friday of Proper 9: Year 1

Morning,  Psalm 16 and 17; Evening,  Psalm 22;
1^st  Samuel 17:17 to 30; Acts 10:34 to 48; Mark 1:1 to 13:

“Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced:” (Acts 10; 34 to 37).

Peter proclaims that anyone, in any nation, who acknowledges, and respects God Almighty, and lives in accordance with what is acceptable to God, is acceptable by God.

Peter also reminds us of the message of peace preached by our Lord Jesus Christ.  He points out that this message of peace began in Galilee and then went to Judea and the rest of the earth.

As one who has visited Israel, and in particular, Galilee, I have a real appreciation of God’s decision to begin the Jesus path in Galilee.  God could have started it in Bethlehem where David and Jesus were born. But chose instead, the region of Galilee, the region of the Gentiles, to show God is the God of all people: Jews and Gentiles alike. As Peter says, “God shows no partiality.

As we step back away from planet earth we will notice something very special about the region of Galilee.  First of all, the world’s lowest level body of fresh water (Lake Galilee, also known as the Sea of Galilee or Tiberius), is located there. It drains back into the Jordan River from whence the lake is filled, and where John baptized our Lord Jesus.  I too was blessed to have been baptized (again) while visiting there in 2018. 

The picture that I use for the head of this blog everyday is the one I took while there.  I was very moved by seeing the same terrain and horizon that our Lord Jesus must have looked at as he was with the fisherman on that same lake some 2000 plus years ago.

Love is the final resolve for all of us. But, if we can’t find ourselves able to show love, let us at least make peace with one another. God almighty sent to the people of Israel, and to us all over the world, our Lord Jesus, showing no partiality regarding race, faith, politics, gender, language or nationality, by preaching peace through this same Jesus Christ; walking in Galilee, and now Risen, and with us everywhere.  He is Lord of all.

Today we remember Benedict, Founder of Western Monasticism, (July 11) and his information may be found at: Benedict of Nursia.

“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: (For the Human Family: BCP p. 815)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 9: Year C

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10: 20)

Before we get to the above quote, Jesus says twice for them to eat whatever they are served and to not go from house to house, and whether they are welcomed or not, to let them know that the kingdom of heaven has come near.  Jesus wants us to be fully with the people that receive us. Jesus wants us to fully be with them in their homes and at their tables. And if this can’t be, let them know still, that it does not stop the oncoming of the kingdom of heaven.

This kingdom of heaven is the new place of our citizenship and where we belong if we love the Lord and follow in God’s Ways. This is where our Christened names are filed. We should rejoice that our names are on the rolls of heaven. I don’t think it means that we got everything right, but whatever is amiss in us will be straightened out when we get there.

This is still our Independence Day extended Weekend.  We celebrate our temporal citizenship as Americans who are free to govern ourselves by majority rule as made manifest by the vote.  Scripture informs us that the majority does not always get it right.  The majority wanted Aaron to make a idol calf to worship for the people in the wilderness (Exodus 32:1 – 6).  Likewise, it was the majority of the people in Jerusalem who insisted that Jesus be condemned to death (John 18:35).  We have much to be thankful for as Americans. Our Independence freed us from the tyranny of a monarch so that we could start our own self-governance.  However, even in that governance, not all were treated as equals.  We are getting better. We are evolving.  Over time we are truly becoming more Christ-like even given that we were not founded as A Christian nation, but rather an independent nation.

America, I believe, is that city shining on a hill as stated by our former President Ronald Reagan.  We are a light to the nations. When we lift our voice to God in prayer, we can’t know how God will respond.  We only know that God “will” respond.  Like Naaman of 2^nd Kings 5 for today, we must listen and obey God’s leadership and let go of our own preconceived ideas about how God should respond to us.   We must live into what it means to be the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”

When doing all the good that we can do, following the commands of Jesus, we will see amazing things, amazing transformations taking place in people. We will see Jesus at work in the people we take Jesus to, and see them transformed.  And we will notice that evil begins to diminish like Satan falling from the heavens; the heavens where we will reside forever.  It’s all part of God’s plan and it is truly marvelous in our eyes.

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. 230)

O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; 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 8: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 137:1-6, and 144; Evening,  Psalm 104;
1^st  Samuel 14:16 to 30; Acts 9:10 to 19a; Luke 23:32 to 43:

“One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah?  Save yourself and us; (Luke 23:39).

Often as we read scripture we are led to think or believe in the way the writer wants us to.  I always ask those with me to be aware of the writer’s bias. The writer of Luke, whom I admire and from whom I learn so much, I still must hold accountable. 

As we have our Lord Jesus crucified but still alive, we have the words of the people; “And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiahof God, his chosen one!” (Luke 23:35).   And in the next verse we hear from the Roman soldiers; “The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”  (Luke 23:36 and 37).  We have these words about saving himself from people walking around but not on a cross.

This is why I look carefully at the words of the crucified men.  We are told by Luke that the first crucified speaker “derided” Jesus saying “Are you not the Messiah?  Save yourself and us.”  I think it is the, “and us,” part that draws me to him.  As I too am a man that knows well that I am a sinner I want our Lord Jesus to not only save himself but to save me also.  I too am on my cross as I deserve to be and I want our Lord Jesus to save me as only he can. 

We must remember that Luke never met Jesus.  Luke received the stories of Jesus from Peter and Paul, (Paul, who also never met Jesus before he was crucified) and Luke passed these words on to us with the interpretation he was given when he received these words.

But this so-called deriding criminal was the only one that asked for his own salvation as well as Jesus saving himself.  Sometimes one has to be in a situation where death is near to really appreciate the need for being saved. And my beloved of the Lord, that’s where we all are today; we are crucified with our Lord Jesus.  We have sinned and strayed from the ways of God and are in need of our Lord Jesus saving himself and us.  And Jesus does exactly that. We too look for the day we are in paradise with our Lord Jesus. When we learn to love we also learn not to rush to judgment.  The man on the cross may not have been mocking Jesus as we are led to believe, as were those who were walking around thinking they were not going to die (ever).  There is truth in his words about the need for salvation for us all. 

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.