Tag: christianity

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.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of the Second Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 30 and 32; Evening, Psalm 42 and 43;
Haggai 2:1 to 9; Revelation 3:1 to 6; Matthew 24:1 to 14:

“And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Mathew 24:12 to 14)

Bad stuff is happening all the time, it probably has been this way in all of human history. But now that we have the World Wide Web we see it reported as, and where, it happens. And perhaps an added negative is that seeing it on phones and laptops promotes the same evil in others. This is sad.

The good news is that if we do good and we endure to the end, we will be saved in a way we never imagined! God is so good and very loyal to those of us who endure to the end. We just need to keep holding on for as long as it takes.  The faithless will not understand and will harass us. But we are to keep the faith no matter what. In addition to keeping our faith, we must also show disapproval of bad actors. We can’t condone bad and sinful behavior by individuals, groups, or nations. 

The world is also fighting medical and mental disease and there is concern around major countries wanting to take over other countries. There are two things we should watch for; first, is the anarchy and hatred that takes place; and second, is the coming of the end of evil.  Good news is coming. “And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations;” and then the end of this sadness will come. The good news may not be cosmic. It may be people of faith saying no to hostility of all kinds, and at the same time, doing what is necessary to end or substantially reduce the effects of disease and mental illness.

We never know how God will act in our midst. The only thing we can be sure of is that God will act, and God will act in bold, yet loving ways. All we have to do is hold on while following God’s lead and by also acting in bold and loving ways.

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 All Sorts and Conditions of Men (BCP p. 814)

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; [especially those for whom our prayers are desired]; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

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

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;

 Haggai 1:1-15; Revelation 2:18-29; Matthew 23:27-39:

“Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, saying, I am with you, says the Lord.  And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.” (Haggai 1:13 and 14)

Today it still takes the Spirit of God to work in people in order that they might honor their houses of worship.  All places of human assembly require due vigilance in order that they are properly maintained.  The Church is the sure sign of how important God is in the lives of the community.

I have read stories where people in some neighborhoods will occasionally help out with various projects in and around a Church even when they themselves do not attend it. Often it is because they recognize the need for the food pantries or social events that lift the self-esteem of people and they want to be a part of it.   

This care for houses of worship is God’s doing.  And “unless the Lord builds the house, the builders’ labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).  We are moved then by the hand of God to support the efforts of those who want to respect and honor God.  This power of God is not concerned with denomination or a particular faith.  It is concerned with people admitting that God exist and that God is good, (All the time).

King Darius was not of the Hebrew people, he was Persian. But he went to great lengths to ensure the house of God was properly rebuilt.  So too, in all of our neighborhoods, any of us can, and should, support godly works as we recognize them to be such. None of us can claim God for ourselves only.  God only is God and loves ALL people.  As long as the faith tradition is not hostile or preaching hate, but rather, is doing good works in the community, we should listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us in terms of what they might need. And then do it as we are able. 

Today we remember Francis De Sales, Bishop, 1622 and Jane De Chantal, Monastic, 1641 and their information may be found at: Francis de Sales – Jane de Chantal

“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.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the second week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 37:19 to 42;

Amos 9:1 to 10; Revelation 2:8 to 17; Matthew 23:13 to 26:

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.” (Matthew 23:25 & 26)

In this session of warnings Jesus tells those of us who will listen, that if we clean the inside of our selves the outside will become clean as well.

What makes itself manifest on the outside, particularly in behavior and actions, starts in the heart and mind of the person.  As I occasionally conduct pre-marital counseling, I have the engaged couple raise many questions about the other.  I don’t want to know the results that they come up with (unless of course the wedding is off).  I just want to know that they have addressed certain issues. So I have them to have conversations around money and what it means; around education; around concerns of faith (particularly if they are of different faith backgrounds), around children (natural or adopted). I have them discuss concerns of sex and intimacy; and lately I ask about social media and each other’s friends in general.  Sometimes I think I’m unconsciously trying to get them to rethink getting married at all.

The reality is, I am trying to get them to see what’s inside of the other. Is the other’s cup clean on the inside? Is your cup clean on the inside?  This question goes further than just marriage proposals.  We need to ponder these questions with all whom we hold close, family, business, Church, fraternity, sorority or whatever. We need to take it home and ask ourselves these types of questions.  But there is hope.  Our Lord Jesus says that if we clean the inside of our cup the outside will be clean as well. To do such cleaning we must call on God for help.

Today we remember Frederick Howden, Jr. Priest and Chaplain of the Armed Forces (1942) and his information may be found at: Lucy

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. 355)

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening,  Psalms 36 and 39;
Amos 7:10 to 17; Revelation 1:9 to 16; Matthew 22:34 to 46:

“Then Amos answered Amaziah, ‘I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to my people Israel.” (Amos 7: 14 and 15)

Amos reminds me of me. He was a blue-collar preacher. He was dedicated to a life of sycamore trees and sheep.  He was probably poor even by that day’s standard of wealth. But like John the Baptist and others, he was an empty cup that God could use, even though it required him to traverse to Israel.

I retired from the Marine Corps and followed my then priest’s instruction to inquire if God has a call on my life. God did, and I think still does. And I am so thankful. While Amos was a dresser of sycamore trees and a herdsman, I retired as an aircraft maintenance manager for East coast Marine Corps war planes, fixed and rotor wing. I was empty of any political or personal grandiose idealism.  I was, and am, so blue collar, like Amos was. I just wanted to get the daily task completed. But God has made use of my emptiness.

 As you read this blog, please understand, God is not done with you. It matters not if you are blue collar, a business professional, or health care professional like Luke from whom we have a Gospel report; if you are open to God and not full of yourself, God wants to partner with you for holy work. There is plenty of work yet to be done. It is the Lord’s Work; and therefore, it is holy work. And please remember this, “God does not call the qualified, God qualifies the called.” Are you in? Thank You Lord Jesus.

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 Joy in God’s Creation (BCP p. 814)

O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Monday of the Second Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning,  Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15;

Amos 7:1 to 9; Revelation 1:1 to 8; Matthew 22:23 to 33:

“This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘A plumb-line.’ Then the Lord said, ‘See, I am setting a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by.” (Amos 7:7 – 8)

This plumb-line that the Lord is setting in the midst of us is the perfect upright angle with which we are to judge our own moral character.  A friend of mine once said to a congregation that it was hard for him to achieve something he has not seen.  But once he has seen someone do right, and be a better person, then, he too could aim for that, knowing it is possible.

We don’t all have the same level of good judgment all the time. But I believe the ability to make better and better decisions is an evolving skill.  I believe patience with our understanding helps us to be better decision makers.  We must first want to do the “right” thing; the right thing has to be more important to us than “my” thing.  Getting even is not the right thing and it is not parallel against the Lord’s plumb-line; it clearly shows us to be off kilter.  Also, we should not try to make ourselves look good by pointing out the faults of others.  It would be better to point out how we have challenges that we are aware of and are working on, than to point to the shortcomings of others. 

Our Lord Jesus is the perfect Plumb-line.  We can’t be Him but we can continue to work towards His perfection. In trying to perfect our character we become that plumb-line for someone else to see and emulate. Remember however, we are not doing it to be copied (even though that would make the world a better place).  We are working towards that never ending road to perfection from which we will not regress nor return from. We will just keep comparing ourselves to His Perfection, that Plumb-line, that some may not know even exist.

Today our Church remembers Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon and Manb of Prayer (December 1637) and his information May be found at: Nicholas Ferrar.

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 Guidance (BCP p. 832)

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light riseth up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of 2^nd Week of Advent: Year A

Matthew 3:1-12

“Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.” (Matthew 3:9)

After sarcastically calling the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers,” John the Baptist takes away any ancestral heritage they might claim as a saving grace, and lets them know that God doesn’t care about the genetic makeup of people, but rather their faith.  This is what was pleasing to God about Abraham.

Abraham believed.  Abraham trusted God.  God told Abraham that he was blessed, and, that he would be a blessing to all people.

According to Douglas Hare writing for Interpretation: a Bible Commentary for Preaching and Teaching; on Matthew, “This passage is scheduled by some lectionaries for the second Sunday of Advent,  In parts of the modern Church, Advent has become almost exclusively preparation of Christmas, that is, a time for pondering the meaning of the incarnation.”  (Hare; p. 19)

The Incarnation is God with us as one of us.  Our Lord Jesus knows what it is like to be human.  Therefore, God knows what it is like to be one of us as Joan Osborne’s song goes, “What if God was one of us, just a slob like one of us, just a stranger on a bus?”  This is the Incarnation.

God’s presence is not just about human so-called royal blood, not even the physical blood of Abraham. But very much like Abraham an unwavering faith that will not withhold anything from God, not even one’s only child. It is the spirit and faith of Abraham that God looks for in us as we truly are the spiritual offspring of Abraham through the connecting royal blood-cup of our Incarnate Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we are baptized into our faith and then forever partake of the cup of Christ where we taste and see that the Lord is good.

Let us pray: Second Sunday of Advent: (BCP p,. 211)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 1^st Week of Advent: Year 2

Morning, Psalm 16, and 17; Evening, Psalm 22;
Amos 5:1 to17; Jude 1 to 16; Matthew  22:1 to 14:

“All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble among the people.” (Psalm 16:2)

We need to appreciate good people more.  It seems all the news goes to the negative folk in our communities, to the mass shooters, the crooked politicians, and the smash and grabbers.

We need to show appreciation for the godly that are in the land, those who are courteous in the store, and in traffic. We need to take a moment to award those who, while they do not agree with us, or the majority of us on an issue, will behave as if the opposing view was their own.

We need to give thanks for good parents, and, in particular, for good fathers who stick with and raise children who may not be biologically theirs, and care for their mothers.  This is what Joseph, the human father of Jesus did. And yet, we have no words from him.

There are plenty of people who are trying every day to do what is right in the world. Let’s reach out and compliment the goodness of people who go unnoticed. They bring harmony to our communities and are standing right beside us as we witness those who do wrong and get all kinds of attention, albeit negative. If we honored those among us who live godly lives, perhaps more people would be inclined to be the same, that is, the godly people God is making them to be.  Let’s do this, this weekend as we enter our Sabbath time together, ponder noticing the godly in the land.

Today our Church remembers Clement of Alexandria, Teacher and Apologist (December 5, 213) and his information may be found at: Clement of Alexandria.

“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.