Tag: faith

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 29 Year 1

Morning, Psalm 140, 142; Evening, Psalm 141, 143:1-11(12)

Isaiah 24:14-23; 1^st Peter 3:13-4:6; Matthew 20:17-28

“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3: 15)

Peter says to figure out what your heart is set on and hope for the best.   Hope for good to be done and that all people are given what they need to be the best that they can be. 

I have said that as we age and mature our values shift or change.  How about hope?  Can, or should what we hope for shift or change?  I think so.  I think our hopes are directly linked to our values. All who are not living their best lives should hope for better times.

Some people have no hope.  Often, they are down trodden and sadly want you to be the same.  Resist this kind of negative influence.  Be strong. Hope well. Give people hope.  I am reminded of a lady who came to see me during a meeting years ago.  I went to her to explain that now is not a good time but that after my meeting I would attend to her if she could just give me a few minutes.

The woman, needing financial assistance, was tired and apparently had a sense of urgency.  To cut to the chase, she asked if this Church had ever “hoped” anyone before.  I didn’t’ know what she meant at first. But then I realized that she was using an improper form of the past tense of the word “help” and wanted to know if our Church had ever helped anyone before.  I told her yes but asked her to sit in the sanctuary until my meeting was over.  When the meeting was over, she was gone.  I wished I could have helped her.  But she helped me.  Using her language I believe we are called to give people hope.  I know hope is not a verb but we should hope people.  And good hope will do.  Over time it will evolve along God’s will. But first people must have hope.  We Christians are supposed to hope them.

We must understand that God has provided all creation with all that we need. Since we believe that God’s will, will be done, our hope is personal. We hope that we can witness God’s will being done during our earthly lifetime. So this then is our defense, that we give hope to others as they live into the path that God has set them on.

“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:

O Lord God almighty, Creator and lover of all souls, help us we pray to not only keep our hope for eternal life and good works here in this present life; but help us also to “hope” others who are in despair. Help us to hope for Your dream, yet unseen but very real, to come true through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening, Psalm 128, 129 and 130;
Obadiah 15 to 21; 1^st Peter 2:1 to 10; Matthew 19:23 to 30:

“Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1^st Peter 2:4 and 5)

I don’t agree with all of Peter’s thinking but the words from this passage I really like.  We are living spiritual stones. Peter shows a difference between those of us who believe in God and God’s love as made manifest through our Lord Jesus, and those who don’t. The latter tend to lose sight of the sacredness of human life.  As believers we are chosen and precious in God’s sight. It seems the more we reflect and ponder about the mystery and majesty of God, and being thankful for it, the more we are rejected by the ever-diminishing norms of our worldly, secular society.

Time spent in prayer and giving thanks to God for the fact that we exist, and the lives of those we love, will go up as spiritual sacrifices to God, and it makes us acceptable through our Savior Jesus Christ. Those of us who believe in the love of God and live a life of love, have so much to be thankful for. So also do those who don’t believe but don’t know it; they too should be thankful.

 I am so sorry for the untimely deaths and lives taken through evil acts.  My heart and prayers go out to the families and loved ones who are grieved by sinful acts. All of us have a responsibility to watch each other.  There is no one out there who is not our business. The path to a holy priesthood for all believers is paved through accountability. This accountability is true for us and for our neighbors. We are, in fact, our brother’s and sister’s keeper. We must hold ourselves in prayer asking God for hints at how we can improve the way we live together, and then value life, all life. 

Today we remember Isaac Watts, Hymnwriter (November 25, 1748)   and his information may be found at: Isaac Watts.

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 Tuesday of Proper 29: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 121, 122, and 123; Evening,  Psalm 124, 125, and 126;
Nahum 1:1 to 13; 1 Peter 1:13 to 25; Matthew 19:13 to 22:

“If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile.” (1^st Peter 1:17)

There are two meaningful words in the above words from Saint Peter; “deeds” and “exile”. 

It seems there is a certain amount of judgment for us in the next life based on our deeds in this life. I note the absence of what we say we believe religiously.  The charitable deeds we do in life remind me of the feeding, clothing, and visiting of the sheep in Matthew 25 as they are separated from the goats. Regardless of what we say we believe or don’t believe, we need to be good for goodness sake.

I am also reminded that here on earth we are in exile. We have a Father in that heavenly realm who watches how we are living while we are here. We are not meant to live here for all eternity. We are citizens of heaven. 

We have been taught by our Savior to love and worship God Almighty and to worship no one else, or nothing else.  Peter says of Jesus, “Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God:” (1^st Peter 1:21). With our faith and hope set on God we learn to love one another and to do good deeds whenever, and wherever we can, while still here in our exile.

Today we remember James Otis Sargent Huntingto(November 25, 1935)   and his information may be found at: James Otis Sargent Huntington

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 Monday of Proper 29: Year 1

Psalm 106:1to 18; Evening, Psalm 106:19 to 48;
Joel 3:1-2 and 9-17; 1^st Peter 1:1to12; Matthew 19:1to 12

“His disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But he said to them, ‘Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given.” (Matthew 19:10 and 11)

There are many people who perhaps should not marry, both men and women. Jesus himself did not marry. There are a lot of societal pressures exerted on us to get married but once we do, that same pressure is not there to help us maintain our marital relationships. 

Too many young men and women are not aware of the option of monastic or, personal religious life – a life dedicated to the service of the Lord. It would be wonderful if brothers and sisters from monasteries and convents could have their turn in high schools and universities explaining the monastic way of life.  How many young people would accept a call to this vocation rather than the military, or college, or secular employment and marriage, or, on the negative side, gang involvement and incarceration with  perhaps too early a death?

As our Lord Jesus says, only those to whom it is given can accept such a vocation. I believe that we should make available to our young folk every possible way of honorable life, including and also beyond marriage, as they may have been given such a call. Life is not one size fits all. And our communities need the variety of all sorts of dedicated discernments.

Today we remember Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara of Nicomedia and Margaret of Antioch, Martyrs, c.300   and their information may be found at: Catherine of Alexandria, Barbara of Nicomedia, & Margaret of Antioch

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 God to discern the life You have designed for each of us. Be it marriage or group communal life; assist us in living the life You have called us to. Amen.

Gospel Reading for the Last Sunday of Pentecost Proper 29: Christ the King Sunday: Year C

Luke 23:33-43

“There was also an inscription over him,“This is the King of the Jews.”  (Luke 23:38)

Wait, what? How did this come to be?  It started roughly a thousand years before the birth of Our Lord Jesus. This was during the time Israel wanted a king for themselves even though God had told them not to be like the other nations.

Here is how it started: “Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him [Samuel], “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to govern us.” Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.  Just as they have done to me,from the day I brought them up out of Egypt to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so also they are doing to you. Now then, listen to their voice; only—you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:4 – 9)

All of the kings of Israel, from Saul the first king, to Zedekiah the last king of Judah were flawed men, including David and Solomon. From this we arrive at the mockery and evil in John’s Gospel:

“Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He, Pontius Pilate, said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”  They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but the emperor.”  (John 19: 14 – 15) How sad this statement must have been for God to hear. For God had warned them that this would happen.

Our Lord Jesus was crucified between two criminals. “One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39) I am aware that this writing in Luke guides us into seeing this first crucified criminal as a harasser of our Lord Jesus.  But we don’t know this until we hear the second criminal rebuke him.  In defense of the first speaker, I remind us that he is the first to say, “save yourself, and us.”  It is the “and us” part that stands out for me. None of the other mockersbothered to ask Our Lord Jesus to save them as well, not the Israelites and especially not the soldiers.  Jesus is the One who forgives even those who harm him, not knowing what they are doing.  Sometimes we fit in that category.  So Jesus tells not only the other man on the cross, but us too, that, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23: 43)

Let us not be too quick to limit our understanding of scripture only by the way we are guided by the author. If we have the words, then let us ponder beyond the page.

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 Sunday closest to November 23 (BCP p. 236)

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 107:33 to 43, and Psalm 108; Evening,  Psalm 33;
Isaiah 65:17 to 25; Revelation 22:14 to 21; Matthew 18:21 to 35:

“For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.” (Isaiah 65; 17 and 18)

I visited the City of Jerusalem during my Holy Land tour in February of 2018. The picture that heads this blog of Israel from Lake Galilee was taken from that trip.  I was not impressed with Jerusalem.  Even Jesus remembers it as a city that kills the prophets. (Matthew 23:37)

Perhaps a new earth with a Jerusalem as a joy is a wonderful idea.  However, not remembering human sin causes me some concern. I forget when or where I heard it said but it is true that unless we remember where we went wrong, we will go wrong again. The sin of the inhumanity to humans by humans is heartbreaking and awful. I so want a new way to live together with all humanity. But I think collectively we need to justifiably feel sad about much of our past and teach our young ones to watch their thoughts and attitudes towards others.  The nationality, language, skin color, sex, sexual orientation, diet nor anything else, should ever hinder our ability to love the other.

I pray the new earth and new Jerusalem prevents discriminating barriers from being built at all. Hey, I have an idea!  Why don’t you and I live in joy as citizens of that new earth and that new Jerusalem now?  We’ll delight in doing the Lord’s work.

Today our Church remembers Clive Staples Lewis: C. S. Lewis, Lay Theologian and Christian writer. It will do one good to look him up and ponder about his many works. His information may be found at: C. S. Lewis.

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. 823)

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the people of this land], that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1 to 32;
1^st Maccabees 4:36 to 59; Revelation 22:6 to 13; Matthew 18:10 to 20:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

In this talk Jesus has asks us to passionately confront any person whom we feel has wronged us, or anyone we have wronged.  If the one-on-one doesn’t work, bring in two or three more for fairness sake. If that doesn’t work, consult the parish family, perhaps the pastor or priest. Jesus is setting up a way to bring us back together as in the one sheep that was lost in the lead story, verse 12.

We are created social beings (like sheep).  We need each other. When we believers are together, God is in the midst of us. God may have finished the heavens and the earth, but you and I are still a work in progress. It is not so much that we were created, but rather, we are being created. When any two of us are together in the faith, our Lord Jesus accompanies us and we become three. We become a trinity in the Lord. We just need to become more aware of God’s divine presence with us. It is in this way that we are blessed, and brought back, and belong.  I know I am. Thank You Lord Jesus.

 Today we remember Mechthilde of Hackeborn and ‘Gertrude the Great, Mystics and theologians (1298 and 1302 respectively) and their information may be found at: Mechtilde of Hackeborn & Gertrude the Great. We also remember William Byrd, John Merbeck and Thomas Tallis; Musicians, 1632, 1585, and 1585; and their information may be found at William Byrd, John Merbecke & Thomas Tallis respectively.

“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: In Times of Conflict (BCP p. 824)

O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 28 Year 1

Morning, Psalm 105:1-22; Evening, Psalm 105:23-45:

1 Maccabees 4:1to25; Revelation 21:22 to 22:5; Matthew 18:1to 9:

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ (Matthew 18:1)

Ok, I give up.  I have heard that there is no such thing as a dumb question.  But I take exception to this one. Wouldn’t it be enough just to be in heaven, even if on the lowest echelon?

Why are we always concerned about who is the greatest in any category?  I can remember that Mohammed Ali once declared that he was “The Greatest (Boxer) of all Times.”  His was a self-declaration. And maybe his observations of his own accomplishments, that he had already achieved, are different from a goal-oriented aspiration sought after. Or, maybe he did seek to become the greatest, then, so be it. But to the point Jesus is making, we shouldn’t strive to be the greatest, just strive to be as good as we can be.

The truth is, we don’t have to be the greatest, just being good at something, is good enough. This is especially true for being good at just being good. This is why I like the Christmas song “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” as it goes, “so be good for goodness sake.”  I like these words because it has a high moral quality that frees itself from any overt religious attachment.  We are to be good for the sole purpose of just being good; not the greatest, but good.

Jesus shows that true greatness is embedded in trust and vulnerability as he demonstrates this with a child; “and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven:” (Matthew 18:3).  While Jesus will use the “greatest” language in the next verse, in this verse he is just talking about getting in the kingdom of heaven, not being the greatest there, but being present there.  Personally, I would be happy just to get in. Thank You Jesus.

Trust and vulnerability are scary propositions for most of us. Perhaps it might be a good idea to start even a short list of people you know that you feel you can both trust and be vulnerable with. As I type this reflection, certain people come to mind.  How about you? Who are the people that you can be like a trusting child with?

Today we remember Edmund of East Anglia, King and Martyr (November 20, 870) and his information may be found at: Edmund of East Anglia

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:

Most Holy Lord God, You created the universe, the planets and stars, and saw to it that it was all good. O Lord You also made us and saw to it that we are also good. Please keep us ever mindful that bad, or evil only appears when good exists. Help us to keep that good that we have in order that we might always strive to be good and do good, for goodness’ sake through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 28: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 101 and 109: Evening, Psalm 119:121to 144;
1^st  Maccabees 3:42 to 60; Revelation 21:9 to 21; Matthew 17:22 to 27:

“And when he [Simon Peter] came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?’ When Peter  said, ‘From others’, Jesus said to him, ‘Then the children are free. However, so that we do not give offence to them, go to the lake and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.” (Matthew 17: 25 to 27)

In my experience this passage is seldom used as sermon material.  However there are layers of revelation here about who Jesus is.

First of all, Jesus, while not with Peter when Peter encountered the collectors of the temple tax, already knew what happened, just as he knew the experience of many before they came to him.  Second, when he presents the question to Peter he already knew the answer. He knew that he and his followers were the “other,” from whom the king takes his toll or tribute.  Lastly, I always thought the fishermen of Jesus’ day fished with nets. But Jesus instructs him to use a hook, (no mention of bait) and upon bringing in a fish, examine its mouth and get the coin.  This coin, Jesus says, will be paid for “you and me.”

We are the “other” of this Gospel lesson.  We are not the children of the rulers of this world. We are the children of God. And God, even working through God’s own created nature will save us and provide what we need even without bait. We should live our lives always expecting divine intervention. This certainly will preach.

Today we remember Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess and Peacemaker (November 19, 1231) and her information may be found at: Elizabeth of Hungary

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:

Most holy and glorious Lord God, You know our needs even before we know what we need. Help us, we pray, to be persons bound together in love who never refers to anyone as “those people,” or “other.”  Help all of us to know that we are all children of God, made from the love of God. Amen.