Tag: christianity

Today is the Fourth Day of Christmas and the First Sunday after Christmas Day

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the First Sunday after Christmss Day: All Years

John 1:1-18

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

These words are the beginning to what we call the Prologue to the Gospel according to John. It does my heart and faith good to stop and read these words from time to time regularly.

It was a clergy person of another denomination (Lutheran)  who traveled to Virginia Theological Seminary and made my Episcopal Seminary class slow down and hear what was “not” being said.  In the beginning was the Word, not the book. The book, and that means the Bible, like our houses of prayer, are man-made.  While the greatest of human effort was made to ensure all glory is attributed to God, the Bible and our Churches, Mosques, Synagogues, and Temples are imperfectly human made.

The One Who has no beginning created our beginning. This opening of John is reminiscent of the opening of Genesis. Perhaps this was John’s intent. In this opening of John, we also have a creation story, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being” (John 1:3).  From this I gather that the Word proclaimed, and life, all life, came into being. This Word, this Breath, of God is the same part of God who also worked with Mary and walked among us.

Then, in all unassuming nature, the Creating Word walked among us as one of us and we did not see that there was something different about this Person. But when we listen to the words of the Eternal, Creating Word, we are awakened into an everlasting light; the light of love, love, both for God and for one another.

 It does us good to read the first 18 verses of John from time to time throughout the year. Merry Christmas: Day 4

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: First Sunday after Christmas Day: (BCP p. 213)

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Today is the Third Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for St John the Evangelist

Exodus 33:18 to 23; Psalm 92; 1^st John 1:1  to  9: John 21: 19 to  24:

“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.”  (John 21:24)

John is one of at least five Apostles that the Gospel shows written evidence of being handpicked by Jesus.  Oh the Gospel says he had 12 but some were just joiners I guess.  John and James, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and later Matthew (Levi; Matthew 9:9), were actually invited with the words, “follow me,” and they accepted.  There was also the rich young man but he declined the invitation of our Lord, (Matthew 19:21).  His name could have been among the 12 (or five). He was invited but his many possessions had control of him. There is a lesson in this for you and me.

John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1: 1 to 3). We have a beginning from One who has no beginning.

We must recognize the testimony of John as a divine revelation and message. All of his words, from the Gospel according to John, his pastoral letters, and the Divine Revelation from our Lord Jesus, are God’s doing and it is for our benefit. Thank You Lord Jesus.

I have come to recognize and appreciate that our Church, has been built on the written words from past experiences of people, and primarily from the Bible.  Perhaps the greatest contribution we could do for those who come after us is to also write something of our own experiences.  In this way we give back, even if just a little, as a token of our appreciation for what has been given to us.

The testimony of John the fisherman, made an apostle, about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe.  Merry Christmas: Day 3

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: Saint John December 27 (BCP p. 238)

Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today is the Second Day of Christmas

Eucharistic Readings for St. Stephens

Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15;  Psalm 31;  Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60;  Matthew 23:34-39:

“Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.” (Acts 7:60)

As a retired priest, but still considered a servant of our Lord Jesus, I am not in total agreement with how our first deacons were formed.  As I understand it deacons were formed in order to excuse priests from the responsibility of feeding those who were hungry, (Acts 6), which is in contrast with what Jesus did at every opportunity he could. In fact he said to the apostles, “You feed them,”  (Matthew 14:16).  However, more than that, and in keeping with today’s focus, Deacon Stephen’s devotion to God through the examples of Jesus is most remarkable.

Stephen knows his faith history and relates it to those who falsely judge him.  He has every right to be angry about how they are treating him, however, he lets love prevail. Psalm 31:13 – 16 may hold comforting words for Stephen and for all of us who are held in contempt.  For it reads:

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me.” (Psalm 31:13 -16)

“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. Merry Christmas: John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 237)

We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of the 4^th Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 66 and 67; Evening,  Psalm 116 and 117;
1^st  Samuel 2:1b to 10; Titus 2:1 to 10; Luke 1:26 to 38:

“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38)

The angel Gabriel approaches Mary and shares with her God’s plan for humanity. Mary is of the lower middle class of her day and place. There are people around her who look down on her. The whole land of her home is occupied and dominated by a foreign army, Rome. What God is proposing is for her to be a co-creator with God to create a space in human history and the human heart for God to be made manifest with us, Emmanuel.

Here is yet another example of the true believer emptying themselves in order to be useful for God. Mary, the human Mother of God Incarnate literally gives her body into the service of the will of God. “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” We can, and should, learn from this young, yet very wise Israelite woman whom God partnered with for the benefit of the world.

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.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the 3^rd Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 55; Evening, Psalm 138 and 139:1 to 17;
Zechariah 8:9 to 17; Revelation 6:1 to 17; Matthew 25:31 to 46:

“Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:1)

The writer of Psalm 139 assures us that God knows us, through and through. And while God can discern my thoughts from afar, I have trouble discerning my own thoughts, and they originate in me. God then knows me better than I know myself.

I just want to be a good and decent person. And I believe to be good, is to do good.  In the end, I believe God will judge me by the deeds that come from my faith rather than by my thoughts which range from good to not always good. At least that’s what I get from our Gospel for today – Matthew 25, 31 to 46, about the sheep and the goats.  I notice that the sheep-people are not separated by what they say they believe only, but by their active compassion generated by their belief, their care for one another.

What then does God know about me, my sitting down and my rising up? What does God know about you, your sitting down and your rising up?  While I don’t like the negative goat metaphor, I understand that we should be more like the caring sheep than the careless goats. Our Lord Jesus set that example for us as he healed, taught, fed and served those who were not even of his own people. He is leading us. We should follow Him.  In Verna Dozier’s book, “The Dream of God,” she points out that we are called to follow Jesus more than worship Him.  Jesus always pointed to God, his Father, rather than himself. We too should follow the will of God who has searched us out and knows us. Let us ponder this, this Sabbath Day.

Today we remember Katharina Von Bora, Church Reformer, (1552) and her information may be found at: Katharina von Bora

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 Quiet Confidence (BCP p. 832)

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 3^rd Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalms 40 and 54; Evening,  Psalm 51;  

Zechariah 7:8 to 8:8; Psalm 121; Revelation 5:6 to 14; Matthew 25:14 to 30:

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.” (Matthew 25: 14 – 15)

This is a very familiar parable.  It is about using whatever gifts we have to the best of our abilities.  In this parable, the one servant who gets only one talent, decides not to use it.  He buries it until the return of the master. Bad move.

I ponder about what is the relative effect of this parable.  The man who receives the one talent witnessed the others receiving more before he got his. One gets 5, the next gets 2, and finally he, the third servant, gets only 1. The only way this could have possibly been worse is if the order of giving the gifts was reversed, that is, servant receiving one talent then see the other two getting 2 and 5 respectively. He probably would have had an emotional fall even worse.

What I want to bring to the forefront here is the responsibility we all have to do the best we can with what God has graced us with.  Whatever gift (or gifts) we have, it is what our family, or community, or the world needs.  God does not waste gifts.  Some of us have gifts of mathematics; some of us have gifts of voice as in singing; some of us have gifts of extraordinary compassion; some of us have gifts of agricultural cultivation and some of us are blessed with more than one; maybe two or three gifts. 

I try not to focus on our feelings of a neglected state due to unexplored gifts. The saddest part for me is that we too often suffer from a false sense of worthlessness of what we should be enjoying.  God does not waste gifts. Has God gifted you with something we need or want in our lives right now?  Please make use of it, we need it.  Remember, what the world needs, and what you enjoy doing, is where God enters our world. We are all a work in progress and we are all still being created, even after a good Sabbath rest.

Today we remember Lillian Trasher, Missionary in Egypt, (1961) and her information may be found at: Lillian Trasher

“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 Right Use of God’s Gifts (BCP p. 827)

Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 3^rd Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 119:49 to 72; Evening, Psalm 49;

Zechariah 3:1 to 10; Revelation 4:1 to 8; Matthew 24:45 to 51:

“Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time?  Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.”  (Matthew 24: 45 – 47)

I think the first thing to do is to clarify the word slave, or in the Biblical Greek, “δοῦλος.”   In English it is pronounced “Dulas” and it means servant as well as slave. Personally, I prefer the term servant as we Americans know it today. 

So now let’s go back and listen to what is being asked. “Who is the faithful and wise servant?” Hmm, makes me ponder.  Can we find wisdom and servitude in the same person?  Sometimes we “wise” our way right out of serving anybody, including God.  Once, when I was young, and not very bright at all, I worked at a major hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.  I saw a coworker filling an ice chest.  I had just worked my way up to a less physical requirement at the hospital and I arrogantly lied to that young man saying, “I wouldn’t do that for anybody.”  To which he quickly responded, “Would you do it for yourself?”  As you can see, I never forgot that important lesson. I don’t like sharing these details about myself but it helps me to see how far I have come.  I still have a long way to go.

In our Matthew passage we are reminded that the reward for hard work is more hard work.  When the faithful servant does all that is expected, that servant is given even greater responsibility.  But I think the wisdom lies in the training of one’s self to enjoy holding things together.  We too can learn to enjoy making sure that people receive their allowance of food, or education, or transportation, or medication, or anything they need at the proper time.  The good news is that when we learn to enjoy filling the ice chest for whoever needs it, we will be blessed when our Lord Jesus arrives. “Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.”

Today we remember Dorothy Sayers, Apologist and Spiritual , and her information may be found at: Dorothy Sayers.

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. 827)

Almighty God, whose loving hand hath given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor thee with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;  Zechariah 2:1 to 13; Revelation 3:14 to 22; Matthew 24:32 to 44

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.  To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3: 20 – 22)

This painting of Jesus knocking at a door is well known in the Christian world, that of our Lord Jesus knocking at our door.  There are many paintings of it. It is a reminder that it is our Lord Jesus who is seeking us well before we even thought about trying to find him.  Many people will say after they have turned their lives around for the better that they “found Jesus.”  It would be perhaps more correct to say that they finally began to follow Jesus after He found them.

No human salesperson knocks on your door, or calls you on the phone, or advertises on your computer for your “complete happiness” as their number one priority.  They want your money.  They are, first of all, in it for themselves. Most of them will say that the quality of their product, or your safety, is their first priority. However, if they do not make a profit they wouldn’t have a business at all. So, unless it is an organized house of faith or other charitable organization, profit is really their first priority.  

Our Lord Jesus is truly looking for you for your benefit. He will never abandon you when life challenges you.  He may not make whatever is happening to you go away, but he will stay with you through it.  And it may be that whatever hell you are going through will end this life, and if so, our Lord Jesus will accompany you and continue to lead you on the other side. We must never give up.

This is what it means to conquer.  And “To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”

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, help us to be more open and welcoming to Jesus as He knocks on the doors of our hearts. Help us to not only let Him in, but also to listen and obey Him as He leads us to our eternal home with You in that heavenly realm where we may live in joy and felicity forever and ever. Amen

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

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

 Zechariah,  1:7 to 17; Revelation 3:7 to13; Matthew 24:15 to 31

“Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.  I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.  Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” (Revelation 3:10 – 13)

Let us remember that the Book of Revelation is a Revelation from the Risen Jesus Christ to his apostle John.  This Revelation speaks of a patient endurance that will keep us from the hour of trial and that we will have new names and live in a New Jerusalem. 

I am reminded that in Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “And do not bring us to the time of trial;” (Luke 11:4).  I once got a traffic ticket for running a stop sign, (I earned it), but through many apologies, agreeing to attend a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) safety course, and a friend in the court system, I was excused.  My friend told me that my name is no longer on the docket.  Full disclosure, I went on the appointed day anyway only to see that in fact my name was never called.  It is nice to have someone who can excuse you from judgment. 

Our apologies are our repentance; our Church groups  are our DMV safety courses and Jesus is our friend who removes our names from the docket and “keeps us from the hour of trial.”  However, we must keep the lesson of asking for forgiveness and patient endurance in order for this to happen. Patient endurance is something we can achieve and become pillars in the temple of God. This is just another way of saying joyful waiting.  Believe me, there is joy in knowing you have been “excused” from judgment.

Jesus also reveals to John that we will have new names, holy names. This is not new, Jesus often gives us new names as God did with Abram to Abraham and Jesus did with Simon to Peter.  Some names stick however as did Mary’s and others.  I guess the other big thing I will be looking for is that we will have a better Jerusalem, a New Jerusalem. Our current Jerusalem is built on an arid mountain.  I often wonder how water was provided in the old days.  Maybe a New Jerusalem in a valley would be better, a land flowing with milk and honey.  I’m just pondering here, joyfully pondering.

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: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. (BCP p.360)

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.