Tag: faith

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 27: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;
Nehemiah 9: 1 to 25; Revelation 18:1 to 8; Matthew 15:1 to 20

“Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat.” (Matthew 15:1 and 2)

These temple authorities travel from Judah up to Galilee only to point out what they believe is a minor transgression against the law. Jesus will point out that they themselves have perverted the will of God by creating human covenants that subvert the Law of God.

The issue is about food and clean hands. Jesus points out that it is not food that pollutes us but rather the self-serving sins of our own egos that pollute us. Therefore, if we petition God to clean our hearts (because only God can), we will be better off and not defiled, or at least, less defiled.  But we must first want it. 

God waits patiently for us to decide what we want. It matters more about what we want than what we do. Of course we shouldn’t eat with unwashed hands, I know that. But we also must stop being selfish, racist, cheaters, thieves and murderers; for these atrocities are far worse that eating with unwashed hands. And even if the body is poisoned, a clean soul will have our Lord to save us and bring us to be with Him, so that where He is, we will be with Him. Let us first get our hearts on the right path.

Personally, I’m a stickler for praying before eating. We shouldn’t eat unblessed food.

Today we remember Leo of Rome, Bishop of Rome, Doctor (November 10, 461) and his information may be found at: Leo the Great.

And, as a 30-year Marine myself, today we celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday, 250 years of faithful service. Semper Fidelis Marines.

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.

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 27: Year C

 Luke 20:27-38

“But [Jesus] said, those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,  and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:35 – 36)

The first thing Jesus does is to inform the Sadducees, these priests of the Temple, that even they neither know nor understand scripture.  This makes me wonder about how much we of today, lay and clergy alike, really understand our ancient writings. It may be that some whole denominations are based on Biblical misunderstanding. It may also be that no single Christian denomination has the correct and complete understanding of where God is leading us.  Each one of us must do the best we can to walk by faith and not by sight.

It has only been about half of the Church’s existence that the Church adopted the human institution of  marriage as a sacrament, and this sacramental rite has muscled its way against other existing sacraments like ordination whereby clergy in some denominations were not permitted to be married.  Perhaps some of us still neither know nor understand the scriptures.

I have been a married man for most of my life.  I don’t know what it would be like to not be partnered with someone.  I was never “given” in marriage like children are in some places, but married of my own free will and accord. So to hear Jesus say that that kind of relationship is over in the next life and will be different in the “age to come,” is hard for me to understand. He said, “Those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.”  Okay, but I still want it.

In at least two movies I have heard some war hero, who was about to give his life for the sake of others, say to those he was rallying for a finally fight that he was leading, “Do you want to live forever?”  As I watch these movies I silently respond, “Yes.”  So when I hear Jesus say, “They can no longer die,” it appeals to me very much.

 Eternal life is what I am looking forward to.  Yes Jesus, I want to be like an angel. And I know that this outcome is not based on my effort or worth, but rather, on your judgment of my heart.  Anselm, early twelfth century Archbishop of Canterbury, said that we should first believe that we might later understand. Therefore, I don’t understand in order that I might believe; rather, I believe in order that I might later understand.  I pray to you, Lord God, Cleanse the thoughts of my heart by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that I may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name through Jesus Christ my Lord, in this life, and in the next, for all eternity. Amen.

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 27 The Sunday closest to November 9 (BCP p. 236)

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 26: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69: ; Evening, Psalm 73;
Ezra 7:27 to 28, 8:21-36; Revelation 15:1 to 8; Matthew 14:13 to 21:

“When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:15 and 16)

I think the disciples forgot one of the most important of Jewish codes of conduct, the hospitality code. Our Lord Jesus has extended this hospitality requirement to not only the disciples, but to all of us who follow him, to all who call themselves Christian.

In modeling this hospitality code Jesus teaches us to depend on God to assist us.  After our Lord takes the food, he blesses it before dividing it up and handing it out. We are not alone in caring for others. There is no one we can help whom God does not love. And this hospitality code is not limited to food.

Assisting the needy with a place to shower and sleep, with medical care, and transportation to any of these places is equally important. What we need, all people need. It matters not about where we are, or how little we have.  God is not about what little we have.  God is about how much we care.

Since the beginning of creation God has brought us into a “shared” world; a world in which we humans were the last to arrive and share with creation what was already here. Thus, we are trusted to share with one another to the best of our ability, within reason, and we are not to look for easy excuses to deny others. We must love them, feed them, clothe them, house them and heal them. Let us take our Sabbath rest and ponder what these lessons might mean.

Today we remember Willibrord of Utrecht, Archbishop and Missionary (November 7, 739) and his information may be found at; Willibrord.

“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 Poor and the Neglected (BCP p. 826)

Almighty and most merciful God, we 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 Reading for Thursday of Proper 26:Year1

Morning, Psalm 71; Evening, Psalm 74
Ezra 7:1to 26; Revelation 14:1 to 13; Matthew 14:1 to 12

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)

Our Ezra reading for today reports a long list of fathers that led to Ezra. I find this paternal lineage very impressive. His lineage is from Aaron the original chief priest. It is hard to find this kind of fatherhood today. And, it’s problematic today. Irresponsible fatherhood can lead to neglected children.

For my own lineage, I am John, son of Tom, son of Dinky Guy.  I don’t know much more than that.  However, I do have a son who is also John. The point to be made is that faithful fatherhood for sons is very important.  It is more important for a son to be the faithful offspring of a good father than just being his biological offspring. I believe responsible, faithful fatherhood will curve the number of starving and sinful children all over the world.

Faithful fatherhood is very important for the raising of girls also. I have daughters. Some biological, some not, all loved very much.  In the end, it is only love that matters. Young women who had loving fathers look for loving men to partner with should they be heterosexual. But regardless of sexual orientation, sons and daughters are able to live into all that God wants them to be if they are raised by good fathers. They may not “set their hearts to study the law of the Lord, and do it,” as did Ezra, but there is a greater chance of them being good people and good citizens and good parents themselves.

All of us should be proud to identify ourselves as sons or daughters of whoever our parents are or were. If not, then we have all the more reason to begin a good and faithful lineage so that our sons and daughters will proudly identify as being from us, faithfully if not biologically. Sometimes we just have to start something good.

Today we remember William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury (November 6, 1944) and his information may be found at; William Temple.

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 Care of Children (BCP p. 829) Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of proper 26

Morning, Psalm 72; Evening, Psalm 119:73 to 96;
Nehemiah 13:4 to 22; Revelation 12:1 to 12; Matthew 13:53 to 58:

 “He came to his home town and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?’ (Matthew 13: 54 to 56)

Every time I read this passage it reminds me to not leave God out of what is happening.  His hometown folk thought they knew who Jesus was as he grew up among them, but they, and often we, fail to craft the question correctly. It is not “Where” did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power?  The correct question is, “From whom” did this man get this wisdom and these great deeds of power?

God can, and often does, use any one of us to do great deeds of power. The sooner we accept that all great deeds of power come from God, and that God is always using someone among us to do, or to speak great deeds, we will then stop being critical of one another and appreciate God working through us, for us. When this acceptance happens, hopefully we will stop being critical of people we have known only because we have known them. We must always ask, “What is God doing now?”

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 those who Influence Public Opinion (BCP p. 827)

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 26: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 61 and 62; Evening, Psalm 68:
Nehemiah 12:27 to 31a, and 42b to 47; Revelation 11:1 to 19; Matthew 13:44 to 52:

“The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.  You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; you refreshed the land when it was weary:” (These are two verses from Psalm 68)

I once watched a video where people (many women and children of southern Madagascar) were starving due to global climate change. For them climate change is not political, it is life, or should I say, the ending of it.  To read these words of a gracious rain in today’s Psalm 68 I thought how wonderful it would be for God to have it rain for these people, even in spite of the ecological negligence the rest of us perpetrate on them, and others like them.

The words regarding God providing rain are a small part of Psalm 68 but affirms the loving care of God for those forgotten, forgotten by us but not forgotten by God. That God would have me catch this television article on the day of the words of Psalm 68 is no coincidence. That I am sharing these words with you is also no coincidence. You and I need to advocate for the downtrodden on our planet, this fragile earth our island home.`

Today we remember Adeline Blanchard Tyler and her Companions and their information may be found at: Adeline Blanchard Tyler

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 Rain (BCP p. 828)

O God, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all those who seek thy kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us, we entreat thee, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to thy honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eucharistic Readings for All Saints Day, Year C

Daniel 7:1-3,15-18: Psalm 149: Ephesians 1:11-23: Luke 6:20-31

Today is All Saints Day!

Too few people are aware of this annual remembrance. Most know about Halloween or, All Hallow’s Eve, the night before all Saints Day but have no idea about the day we set aside to remember the saints of old.  There are many. We have the apostle saints, Matthew, John, James, Peter and many others. We have the post resurrection saints, a list that we are still adding to, like Saints Paul, Francis, Mary (Mother of Jesus) and Mary Magdalene, Saint John of the Cross, Teresa of Avilla, and many, many others.

The saints made great personal sacrifices while living out their godly lives. Many were martyred like Joan of arc and Martin Luther King Jr. and many others. Others also suffered in the teachings of God’s love but they maintained their faith no matter what, setting for us examples of righteous living. “Having been disciplined a little, they receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself:” (Wisdom of Solomon 3:5). 

From Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus, we read, “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1: 15 to 23)

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: All Saints’ Day November 1^st (BCP p. 245)

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.