Tag: christianity

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 8: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 106:1-18; Evening, Psalm 106:19-48:

1 Samuel 10:17-27; Acts 7:44-8:1a; Luke 22:52-62

“Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?  When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”  (Luke 22 52 – 53)

Jesus has done no criminal offence and yet the religious authorities come to arrest him. Many God centered people since this time have been killed because of their beliefs, especially when such beliefs undermine and threaten the comfort and power of those in charge, the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders.

I am very glad to be able to live in a country that insists on religious freedom including the right to be non religious if we so choose. We are not a theocracy. However, we still have a ways to go in not persecuting people whose beliefs differ from main stream religious persecutors.  Many such beliefs have to do with sexual orientation and issues around the subject of abortion. Also there are concerns around the death penalty and war itself.

I continue to follow a path that asks the question “how is love and compassion informing me.”  It’s not always what you might think.  Love asks questions like “who needs protection?”  Love asks questions like “what is the likely outcome if I do nothing?”  What’s at stake?  As I look around the table at my children and myself, who are the ones in need but perhaps say nothing?  I am old enough now to say that all people in their fifties and below are my children (and grandchildren) as well as (hopefully) my friends.  It doesn’t matter if they don’t get along with each other or with me.  It doesn’t matter if they speak my language or if they can speak at all, they are my children and my friends.  I may be called into a conflict with them, or forgive them for some mistaken deed, or just accept them the way God made them.  They are my child-friends.

We should not come out after our child-friends with hate like the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders as if they were bandits.  They should be in the temple of our hearts. How does love and compassion inform us about how we should treat those with whom we do not agree?  Let us not let the power of darkness gain control of our actions but rather let us follow what love and compassion asks us to do.  Find someone twenty or more years younger than you and adopt them as your child-friend, the more different they are from you, the better.

Today we remember Saints Peter and Paul (Transferred from June 29) and their information may be found at: St. Peter and St. Paul.

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: (Remembering Saint Peter and Saint Paul June 29: BCP p. 241)

Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 8: Year C

Luke 9:51-62:

“And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Thenthey went on to another village.” (Luke 9:52 – 59)

The Samaritans are people who Jesus often showed as examples of godly love.  The Woman at the well who said, “come see a man who has told me everything I have ever done,” (John 4).  And, the Good Samaritan of Luke (10: 30 – 37), who tended to the man left for dead by robbers. So Jesus saw the love of the Samaritans.  But they were also very tribal.

Samaritans did not like the Israelites or anyone who liked the Israelites.  So when they saw that Jesus was going to Jerusalem they cut him and his followers off.  It’s the old saying that the friend of my enemy is my enemy. But this attitude does not work.  All of us have been gifted by God to be friendly with people regardless of who they like of don’t like. The trouble is, we choose not to.

When James and John asked if they could call down fire on them Jesus turned and rebuked them.  This is some insight as to the power that they had through Jesus. It seems to be no doubt that they could do such a thing, but needed permission to do so.  They forget however, that when Jesus sent them out in pairs to heal and cast out demons he said to them, receive those who receive you.  And, if they don’t receive you just knock off the dust from your shoes and keep on moving.  But even to them, let them know that the kingdom of heaven has come near.

We also have those who want to follow Jesus, But! Words like but and however, often flip the script. Basically, Jesus says there is no but. People can be faith-dead before their bodies give out. Jesus says let them bury themselves. People come up with reasons to not follow their hearts now and in the moment. Jesus says for us to make up our minds and keep it moving, don’t look back. I like to quote Nike here, “Just Do It!”

So, there is no part of Jesus that retaliates or procrastinates. Jesus loves those who do not accept Him as much as He loves those who hesitates in their following, and as much as He love us who follow without pause. We get nothing extra for being dedicated followers. We are the dedicated assistants of Christ Jesus for the glory of God. And that is reward in itself.  As followers of Jesus we should not retaliate or procrastinate either.  Accept those who accept you.  Be patient with those who do not accept you in this moment. Be pleasant to all. Try to love 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: (Proper 8, BCP p. 230)

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; 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 7: Year 1

 Morning, Psalm 102; Evening,  Psalm 107:1 to 32;
1^st  Samuel 9:1 to 14; Acts 7:17 to 29; Luke 22:31 to 38:

“He said to them, ‘But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, “And he was counted among the lawless”; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.’ They said, ‘Lord, look, here are two swords.’ He replied, ‘It is enough: (Luke 22: 36 to 38).

I have studied the history of the Amish.  What I admire about the Amish is that they really walk their faith. Their faith however, includes pacifism. They are among the most pacifist people on the face of the earth.  Because of this they were completely decimated in Europe because of their refusal to defend themselves. They found safety in the “armed” American Colonies, Pennsylvania in particular.

The Hebrew Testament is replete with examples of God assisting the fighting efforts to fulfill God’s plan for the Israelites, and, by extension, all humanity. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David and others fought to accomplish God’s will for us today.  Now, in our Gospel reading for today, we have our Lord Jesus saying “sell what you can and buy a sword because the day is going to come that you will need it.”

The sword was the personal protection of that day. The sword was not a hunting tool which could be said of the spear or bow and arrow.  It was not used to prepare food as is a knife. No, the sword was specifically made for use as a weapon against human oppression. Today’s sword is a pistol. 

As a thirty year United States Marine, now retired but still true to what it means to be a Marine, I support the right to have and use guns as personal protection.  Some may ask how I balance being a gun owner with being a priest.  I think our Lord Jesus, speaking to the future Christian priests of the New Testament, answers that question.  “He replied [regarding having two weapons], ‘It is enough.”  Some interpreters and commentaries will try to read something else into Jesus’ words.  I say, Jesus said it, and it is what it is. 

Let us learn from the European lesson in the history of the Amish, as well as God’s guidance with Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David and others. And let us hear what our Lord Jesus says about protecting our continued way of Christian life after His sacrifice.  We must be true to our faith as we understand it. This is something we each must ponder with God’s help in our Sabbath time.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Cornelius Hill, Priest and Chief among the Oneida (1907) and his information may be found at: Cornelius Hill.

“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: (BCP p. 290-291)                                               

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who are reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 7: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 101 and 109; Evening,  Psalm 119:121 to144;
1 Samuel 7:2-17; Acts 6:1-15; Luke 22:14-23:

“And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word:” (Acts 6: 2 to 4)

Every time this reading comes up in our Daily Office Lectionary I can’t help but refute it. It is not the understanding I have of who Jesus is or what he would have us do. In the Gospel accounts we have Jesus ordering the apostles to feed the people; “But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat:” (Matthew 14:16).

Too often today clergy sometimes see themselves as too important to fulfill the most basic of needs. There are many things that our Lord Jesus did that we, (clergy, doctors, or any vocation), simply cannot do. We can’t cure all diseases, or bring people back to life.  But most of us can feed those who are hungry or teach those who want to know what we know.  We can buy a hungry person something to eat. We can teach adults to read. We can drive someone to a medical appointment or other place they need to be. We can teach young children to sing songs of hope.  We, none of us who follow our Lord Jesus, should think of ourselves as above providing the basic needs of people. 

We still need to find time to pray and hear the words of God and meditate on the Holy Spirit of God. But such contemplation should not stop us from the basic and important duty of taking care of those who lack the basic needs of life, or just needs a faith companion.  Our love must be shown in how we care for others. We should not send them away or put this labor of love on someone else.  Our Lord Jesus is still saying to priests and pastors, “You give them something to eat.”

Today we remember James Weldon Johnson, Poet (1938) and his information may be found at: James Weldon Johnson.

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 Poor and the Neglected (BCP p. 826)  

Almighty and most merciful God, we [Priests and Pastors] remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 7: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 97, 99; Evening, Psalm 94;
1^st  Samuel 6:1to 16; Acts 5:27 to 42; Luke 21:37 to 22:13:

“So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!” (Acts 5: 38 and 39)

A Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel gave the council two examples of how uprisings settled themselves when they are not from God.  However, he asks them, and us, to be patient with this Jesus movement. He says if it is from human origin it will be made evident. But if it is from God, we have no choice but to obey.  Smart words I think.

In all my undertakings I ask if it is of God, or, where do I see God in it?  If I can’t see God in it anywhere, it is time to move on to something else.  Also, I must remember that God is love.  So, I must ask if there is love in the undertaking that I am pursuing. If no love, no God, then I go, no further.  I have always said that I can’t see where God is at this present moment in my life, only where God has been in my life. What I am saying now is not counter to what I have always said. 

While God is illusive, and can’t be seen, God’s presence as love is readily revealed if we look for it. And if there are conflicts between the call of God and what the unloving among us are saying, then we must remember what Peter and the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than any human authority:” (Acts 5:29).  We can tell if God is in it, if love is in it.

God has no plan B for us. The seed of Jesus is growing more and more every day. In the end we will learn to truly love one another. In so doing, we will make heaven manifest right here on earth where God’s will, will be done.

Today we remember The Birth of john the Baptist of the New Testament and his information may be found at: Nativity of John the Baptist.

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 Nativity of Saint John the Baptist June 24 (BCP p. 241)

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday, Proper 7: Year C

Luke 8:26 to 39:

“And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the abyss.” Luke:8:31.”

Before evil shows itself, good thrives. The man in our Gospel according to Luke for today, who may even be a father, seems to be a good man who was overcome by multiple demons.  It seems our Lord Jesus has dealt with these legion demon spirits in this man before. It also seems that Jesus has compassion even for the demons. All Jesus has to do is order them to go into the abyss and they must do it. The demons know who Jesus is, but we (Christians) often have a problem understanding who He is.

I’ve said this before but it’s worth pondering again.  The demons ask for permission to enter the pigs near Lake Galilee. Jesus allows them to do it.  So the demons enter the pigs, the pigs go into the lake.  The pigs drown, but not necessarily the spirit demons.  Poor pigs. 

Of course being Jewish, perhaps even the Jewish Jesus would not care about swine. Or maybe Jesus did not think the demons would drive the pigs into the water. Perhaps further pondering is in order here.

The demons, which have survived multiple times of being cast out of the man who haunts the tombs,  and apparently aware of the abyss, now only have to survive drowning pigs. Once in the water, they can move into the fish in the lake.  It seems they only need an animal host to exist.  These same fish are then caught by the very men Jesus has recruited to carry out the Gospel. Weird huh?

The healed man asks to tag alone with Jesus but he was denied. Jesus tells him to go to his home and tell the people what God has done for him.  He then goes and says what “Jesus” has done for him.  I hope they understood that Jesus is God Incarnate. Do we?

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 This Sunday

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving­-kindness; 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 Tuesday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
1^st Samuel 1:21 to 2:11; Acts 1:15 to 26; Luke 20:19 to 26:

“So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth.  Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’  But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?’ They said, ‘The emperor’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s:” (Luke 20: 20 to 25)

My history sources inform me that the use of coin money predates the appearance of our Lord Jesus by about five thousand years, that is, about the year five thousand B.C. There were, and are good reasons for money. Foods and other needed products have short shelf lives. Coin money maintained its serviceability for a long time, but not forever.  Money quickly became the great tool for the establishment of the rich and the poor – the haves and the have-nots. Money worked its way into our relationship with God, albeit without God’s approval.  God does not want our money.  God wants our hearts, our love.  Love then is what we should give to God. Even metal or plastic money is not eternal; but love is.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Marina the Monk, Monastic, 5^th Century and her information may be found at: Marina the Monk.

We also remember Evelyn Underhill: Theologian and Mystic (15 JUNE 1941) “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, and also (at the time, a startling idea) that modern psychological theories and discoveries, far from hindering or negating spirituality, can actually enhance and transform it. Evelyn Underhill’s writings proved appealing to many, resulting in a large international circle of friends and disciples, making her much in demand as a lecturer and retreat director. She died, at age 65, in London on June 15, 1941:” (Great Cloud of Witnesses June 15).   I thank you Lord Jesus for Evelyn Underhill among us. Her information may be found at: Evelyn Underhill.

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 Lord to always use money for our common welfare and not as an idol that uses us. Help us to ensure we all have at least what we need but to Give to God our whole selves as taught by our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Trinity Sunday: Year C

John 16:12-15

“Jesus said to the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (John 16: 12)

God’s Wisdom may not be in us, but God’s love is in us. Many biblical writings report this; from Jeremiah 31:31-34, to what we have in Romans 5:5 for today.  God has already done this wonderful thing to bring us closer to God. We just have to rely on it and trust it. As the writings say, we have God’s love through the Holy Spirit. As we learned last week (Pentecost Sunday) the Holy Spirit of God has come among us. This Holy Spirit works through the gathered community, the Church. This is why we must come together, yes, as an organized religion.  Jesus did not say go and do your own thing, but rather, he said, “follow me.”

We are a creedal people.  My own personal creed is Trinitarian.  While I still adhere to the tenets of our Nicene Creed, I needed to fashion words that more closely articulate my personal theology. And, here it is, “I Trust in the Creating Word through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word, in whom I live and move and love and have my being, and to whom I must give an account.”

I try to be intentional about worshiping God in spirit and truth. This was foretold by Jesus when he said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks;” (John 4:23). Jesus prepares us to receive what he wants us to know, and then tells us only what we can handle at the time. “Jesus said to the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Jesus will inform us of what we need to know, when we are ready.

This remembrance of Trinity Sunday informs us that God meets us where we are.  Some of us may need an All Powerful God to move the waters so that we can get to safety. We may need a companion God while on the road to Emmaus to break bread with us. Or, we may need the Great Spirit of  God to visit us in our dreams, or through the voice of another to guide us on our way (as revealed in our Gospel lesson for today), and move us away from divisiveness, in order to have us to do God’s will on earth as it is in heaven.  In all of these cases we are “on the move” with One or another quality of the Trinity.” 

Here is a little note about Father’s Day.  Joseph, husband to Mary the Mother of Jesus, is the best example of fatherhood I think there is.  We do not have one word from his mouth in all the Gospel accounts, yet, we witness his steadfast obedience to God.  He keeps Mary who is pregnant but not by him.  He follows God’s instructions to take the family to Egypt and then to bring the family back to Israel again.  He is a carpenter by vocation who provides for his family and is obedient to God.  As he is a quiet man so I imagine him to be one-who-ponders also.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 fathers in remembrance of Joseph)

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.