faith – Page 17 – onewhoponders

Pondering for Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 18: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;
1^st Kings 16:23 to 34; Philippians 1:12 to 30; Mark 16:1 to 20:

“And all that had been commanded them they told briefly to those around Peter. And afterwards Jesus himself sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.” (The shorter ending of the Gospel of Mark; NRSV)

As one who studies the Bible I had a hard time with this brief and somewhat challenge to the Easter message. Where are the Resurrection stories? Where is the Great Commission? Where is the witness on the road to Emmaus? Where are the admonishments for not believing Mary Magdalene?

Some words were added to Mark later to provide similar endings contained in the other Gospel accounts. Even in Mark’s closings there is inconsistency about whether the women leaving the tomb either, talked to no one, or as suggested in the extended version, went and told those who were with him. It can’t be both ways can it?

I guess what I glean from the short version, alleged to be the first recorded Gospel account, is that our Lord Jesus did in fact come back to life and that he “sent out through them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.”

That’s what I really want, eternal salvation. I don’t believe that this life is all there is. My hope is in the Name of the Lord. He who was raised from the dead, will raise his followers from their end of life also. How then should we be living our lives now in this life as we prepare for being raised into the next, and there being present with all who have gone before us?

He is Risen; Halleluiah!

Today we remember The Martyrs of Memphis, Constance and her Companions (September 9, 1878) and their information may be found at: Constance & Her Companions

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. 504)

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, September 8, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 18: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;
1st Kings 13:1 to 10; Philippians 1:1 to 11; Mark 15:40 to 47”

“There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem:” (Mark 15: 40 and 41).

This passage reminds me of Sunday Holy Services when COVID ravaged the service and we had maybe 22 present. There were 19 women and 3 men. The men were all a part of the worship support, the priest (myself), the Eucharistic minister and the acolyte. The ushers (who took the count), and all in the pews were women. I’m guessing that if the men had not been assigned a duty, they would not have been present either. Where are the men of persistent faith?

Women have always supported the Church and by extension, Jesus himself. There are some denominations that believe that women should not be in Church leadership. To this I say, Balderdash! Our Lord Jesus did all he could to make us remember that woman are as equally important in the message of the Gospel as are men.

The two greatest ever Christian sermons are given by women. Mary his mother says to the servants of Jesus (that’s you and me), “Do whatever he tells you:” (John 2:5) And Mary Magdalene is commissioned to proclaim the Easter message, “Christ is Risen! And that she has seen the Lord!” (John 20:17 and 18).

Since the time our Lord Jesus walked among us, even when he was dragged to the cross, women, faithful women, were with him. Women are still holding our Church together. Just as I ponder why women have such strong faith, I also ponder why so many men do not. Perhaps faith is closely associated with the capacity to nurture as does a mother to her child. I don’t know, but I do believe that love is the most important ingredient in faith. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today our Church remembers The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her information may be found at: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Today our Church also remembers Soren Kierkegaard, Teacher and Philosopher, (September 8, 1855) and his information may be found at: Søren Kierkegaard.

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 Almighty God, Who walked among us as a human man, reared by a human man (Joseph) and personally led several apostolic men to spread the Gospel, Lead us again O lord as men are in desperate need of Your life-giving faith. Do this again through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, September 7, 2025

The Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 18: Year C

Luke 14:25-33

“Now large crowds were traveling with Jesus; and he turned and said to them, “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14: 25 – 26)

Hate? Today’s English understanding of the word hate is way too strong for the way Jesus is intending to mean it, and the way the people around him understood it. Hate, the way we understand it today is to have a strong negative emotion towards someone. Jesus is using this term as mutually inclusive; he is saying you can’t be his disciple unless you have put everybody else aside, or behind him. Jesus is saying that while he is in the relationship, he must be the priority.

In our old Spanish class the language was much different than hate, a softer expression was used. Jesus said in the Spanish language) “Si alguno viene a mí y no me ama más que a su padre, a su madre, a su esposa, a sus hijos, a sus hermanos y a sus hermanas, y aun más que a sí mismo, no puede ser mi discípulo. Roughly translated is, “Whoever wants to follow me must love me more than his father, his mother, his wife and his children, his brothers and sisters, and even more than his own life. Otherwise, he cannot be my disciple.” It is not hate, but rather, more love for Christ.

Even the language that follows, from farming peasants to ruling kings, from lowest to highest, the costs of discipleship must be dealt with. We must ask ourselves, first, if we think we are even able to pay the price. And then second, if we are willing to pay the price.

Jesus is not asking us to choose between him and the devil; that would be too easy. Jesus is asking us to choose him over parents, spouse, children and siblings. These might seem like hard choices but the truth is that if we make Jesus the priority we are better enabled to love parents, spouse, children and siblings. Through Jesus we can love them and all people more deeply.

In this passage Jesus has shifted from talking to the twelve, to talking to the great multitude. There is much enthusiasm at first but it turns into shallow delight in the walk towards Jerusalem. Jesus wants them to be well aware of what it means to keep his movement going.

Sometimes people who love this Church don’t want us to tell perspective new members about the cost of discipleship; about the cost of maintaining a Church. They would rather postpone it until a more opportune time, or just drop it altogether. Jesus says “no.” He wants to let them (and us) know right from the start the cost of the journey he is on to Jerusalem. He wants them (and us) to know that this is not a parade, but rather, a funeral procession. Now, who’s in?

The cost of discipleship is not about our family, fame or possessions, but about being happy on the path to pleasing God and having eternal life. We can’t afford to not be in. Following Jesus is a commitment to eternity. Have you decided to follow 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: (BCP p. 233)

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, September 6, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 17: Year 1

Morning, Psalms, 30 and 32; Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;
1^st Kings 12:1 to 20; James 5:7 to 12 and19 to 20; Mark 15:33 to 39:

“O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you restored me to health.” (Psalm 30:2)

One of my reflections that I have preached to my listeners for 20 years now is that God’s ears hears tears. While this sentence may not be correct grammar, the message is timeless and universal. Everywhere in our Bible narratives when someone is crying, God, or an angel of God, appears whenever tears are rolling down cheeks. The two I most like to recall are Hagar as she pushes away her son Ishmael, son of Abraham, because she does not want to see him die; (Genesis 21: 15 to 17). And, Mary Magdalene, as she is broken down and crying outside the tomb of Jesus, who removed seven demons from her, giving her back to herself. Jesus was all she had and he was murdered: (John 20:10 to 15).

Crying does not depend on language, country of origin, ethnicity or any human label. God has fixed a way to connect with us when our spirits are at their lowest. It is sadness and/or sorrow that makes us cry. And when we cry, God wants to know. Crying is not dependent on faith or no faith. One can be a card-carrying atheist but if he or she cries, they are praying even without knowing it.

All crying is to God. The Psalmist continues, “I cried to you, O Lord; I pleaded with the Lord, saying, “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; O Lord, be my helper. You have turned my wailing into dancing; you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy. Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.” (Psalm 30: 9 to 13)

I love how much God loves us. It truly does make me want to dance with joy. And who knows, maybe even make tears of joy. I think God will feel them too and be happy for us.

Today our Church remembers Hannah More, Religious Writer and Philanthropist (September 7, 1833) and her information may be found at: Hannah More.

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, Creator and Lover of all souls, You made us in ways that inform You when we are low and in misery. As Your ears hear our tears, comfort us dear Lord as You have always done, and wipe away the tears of sadness from every eye. In Your Holy Presence we pray. Amen.

Pondering for Friday, September 5, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 17: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;
1^st Kings 11:26 to 43; James 4:13 to 5:6; Mark 15:22 to 32:

“You do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that:” (James 4:14 and 15).

These are very interesting words from James. We are not promised tomorrow. We must live the best life we can for today. And even today, we live for what the Lord wishes.

Our 1^st Kings reading shows once again that jealousy regarding God’s choice causes us to want to destroy one another. It happened with Cain and Abel, it happened with Saul and David, and in this reading today with Solomon and Jeroboam. If God is acting in our midst why should we be angry with God’s choice and wish harm to the person? God always chooses the best for the community. If anything, we are all going to benefit from the fruit of God’s choice. Believing in God requires us to accept God’s works among us and then be comfortable with, and thankful for, what God is doing.

James is right, we do not know what tomorrow will bring. We should try to plan for the worst and pray for the best. But above all, we must learn to be contemplative enough to discern the presence of God at work in our lives and in our communities. Out of the Covid chaos, fires and floods, God saves us as God sees fit. There is no time for jealousy of those who seem to be favored. For we are all a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes, at least in earthly form. While we are in our earthly form, we ought to say, “If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.”

Friday evening is the perfect time to start to contemplate the presence of God in our lives. It is the eve of the time God has gifted us with, in order that we might rest, reflect and ponder. We Christians are not excused from observing the Sabbath rest as our Lord Jesus also kept the Sabbath. Let us make it a time of ridding ourselves of all potential jealousy and prejudice. The Sabbath is a cleansing time for our souls.

Today our Church remembers Katharina Zell, Church Reformer and writer (September 5,1562) and her information may be found at: Katharina Zell

“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 God Almighty, You created us and gifted us as is necessary for our social living together. Help us we pray to lay aside all jealousy of what others have, and understand that Your plan of divine love is at work in our human need through the First love shown by Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, September 4, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 17: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 37:19 to 42;
1 Kings 11:1 to 13; James 3:13 to 4:12; Mark 15:12 to 21:

“Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified:” (Mark 15: 14 and 15).

There is so much senseless evil here. The clergy of the temple want to crucify of their own, a fellow Israelite. Pilate, the Roman authority, goes along with the local majority rather than stick to his conviction that Jesus has done nothing warranting the death penalty. And even though Jesus is going to be crucified, he is made to undergo flogging also. So much evil, is there a lesson for us?

First of all, none of us should seek to take a life, and especially those of us whose vocation is to live and teach the godly life. And second, if you are in a place of authority, you need to not yield to mob rule just to satisfy the crowd. You need to stick to following Micah’s instructions, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God, (Micah 6:8). The Bible really does contain all things necessary for salvation but it should be approached with prayer, caution and inclusive minded believers.

While Pilate never had the injunction to love neighbor, the temple authorities did. They were under the Commandment to love neighbor as self, as are we also. Being tolerant and merciful is a trait of love. We are not to judge others but rather, see in them the love of God, regardless of how they act. All evil is senseless. Our sense of right and wrong were given to us to connect us, not divide us.

We were brought into being by Love, to love. The next person that you meet, try to stretch out with your heart and “sense” them. Do not use words, just spiritually feel them. It is amazing what God has empowered us to do. Harming another, outside of self defense or the protection of the weak, should never find a place in your heart. Our calling is love, justice, mercy and humility.

Today our Church remembers Albert Schweitzer and his information may be found at: Albert Schweitzer.

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, lover of all souls, be with us in our daily experience as we encounter others and keep us ever mindful that all are precious in Your sight, and should be in ours as well. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 17: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 38; Evening, Psalm 119:25 to 48;
1^st Kings 9:24 to10:13; James 3:1 to 12; Mark 15:1 to11:

“How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire.” (James 3:5 and6)

I live in the country in North Carolina. Occasionally a neighbor will burn their rubbish rather than take it to the dump. My prayer in such situations is that they are watching it closely. As James says, a small fire out of control can burn down a neighborhood. This is what has been experienced in California and other places.

The point that James is making is about our tongues and how left unguarded they can cause more harm than can be repaired. This is especially true today where lives are ruined because someone “posted” something said by a person years ago on a social media platform. I have witnessed sports journalist fired because of some statement they said which was often taken out of context, or was their own entitled opinion. The opinion a person had years ago, may not be the opinion they have today. Hopefully, we evolve over time. What our tongues have expressed in the past may not be what we feel today. We should be asking people where they are now, not where they were then.

To the point James is making, we can’t be too careful about what we say, privately or publicly. The line between private and public today may be blurred by re-sent or forwarded emails, and by what was thought to be fun videos. These are what small fires look like today that can also cause people to lose all they have.

James also talks about mistakes in today’s reading. I teach. And I’m here to tell you, we teachers also make mistakes. The real test of the heat of a fire is in what was intended. If love and respect and decency were the intent, then the fire (or the tongue) is well guarded. My personal rule is, if I don’t say it or do it from love, then I don’t say it or do it at all.

Today our Church remembers Phoebe, Deacon (October 25 NT) and her information may be found at: Phoebe.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray:

Help us dear Lord, to always be mindful of what we are about to say or write. Keep us, we pray, ever mindful of the thoughts of our hearts that we may say and even think in loving ways towards one another through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 17: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 26 and 28; Evening, Psalms 36 and 39;
1^st Kings 8:65 to 9:9; James 2:14 to 26; Mark 14:66 to 72:

“So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” (James 2:17)

The biggest and most important word in this verse has only two letters, (i and f). I was once told that “if” is half of life. I know that in my life I have looked back and said, “If I had only known;” or, “If I had only done this or that, life would have been different for me.” Faith is a word that means belief. If we believe something then we act on that belief or faith. If we believe that the earth is flat, and we are sailors, then we restrict how far out we sail. If we believe in God, and have faith in God, who wants the best for us, then we act on that faith also. Our actions, that is, our works are guided by our faith, that is, what we believe in.

In the English translation of the Gospel according to John the word faith is not used. Faith is a noun. The writer of the Gospel according to John uses the verb believe because this writer wants action. Faith is belief in action, that is, works. So in the Gospel according to John only believe is used.

We help the homeless by assisting them, and the organizations that help them, with our money. This is works following faith. So, what is faith without works? It is merely “wishing” everything goes well. Wishing is for fairytales. It is as James says when we see someone in distress and say to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? There is no good in that. It’s fairytales. Faith is for the believer.

James uses the story of Abraham and his faith, in the almost sacrifice of his son Isaac. The point being made is that Abraham followed his faith with dedicated works, until he was stopped by God. “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God:” (James 2: 22 and 23).

Faith in the human being is also the soul of the human being. Therefore, it is the spirit of the human being. It is what makes us different among all God’s creation. This is why James, the brother of our Lord Jesus says, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” (James 2:26)

Today our Church remembers The Martyrs of New Guinea, (September 2, 1942) and their information may be found at: Martyrs of New Guinea.

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. 828)

O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in making provision for its future in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, September 1, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 17: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 25; Evening, Psalms 9 and 15;
2^nd Chronicles 6:32 to 7:7; James 2:1 to 13; Mark 14:53 to 65:

“Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.” (Mark 14: 55 and 56)

I often ask myself: Who witnessed the arrested Jesus, and told, or wrote it for us to have today? In this case, my question is answered; Peter is sitting within earshot of what is taking place. Too often we focus only on the three denials of Peter. We should pay attention also to the logistics of the Gospel and Peter’s physical closeness of Jesus’ interrogation.

They held court on our Lord Jesus trying to convict him to death even knowing that to murder another human being was against God’s Law. Let this be a lesson to us to keep God’s Law at the forefront of our own conduct. In their shallow testimony , “Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands;” (Mark 14: 57 and 58).

St Paul will later write in his Second Letter to the Church in Corinth, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens:” (2^nd Corinthians 5:1). Too often we can’t grasp the deeper meaning of the Gospel of God in Christ Jesus because we are so full of self-serving (our way only) tendencies.

The not so secret mantra of God is to love each other, this also means, all others. This love that we are supposed to have is to extend to those who are like us as well as those who are different. We can disagree without disengaging. It’s not easy at first, but it is absolutely possible, and very pleasing to God. We are certainly not called to devise ways to put a person to death because of disagreement. Have we evolved any in the last two thousand years? I pray that we have, and I pray we continue to evolve and become more and more Jesus like.

Today our Church remembers David Pendleton Oakerhater, Deacon and Missionary (September 1, 1931) and his information may be found at: David Pendleton Oakerhater.

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 Social Justice (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.

Pondering for Sunday, August 31, 2025

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 17: Year C

Luke 14:1, 7-14

“For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

“O Lord it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way, I can’t wait to look in the mirror cause I get better looking each day.” Words by Mac Davis. Funny the way humility works. If you brag about it, it’s lost. Sorry Mac.

Humility is so lacking in our society today. However, it is still very much needed. We all need people who put community first. We need more people who want to take a back seat for themselves and focus on the needs of the welfare of family, of friends, and of neighbors.

Humility is putting others first without the thought of reward or even recognition for it. It is just a way of life. Once we learn to reduce our needs for vanity, we are better enabled to tend to the needs of others who are often in more dire straits than ourselves. From C.S. Lewis, he says about humility, “Humility is not so much about thinking less of yourself, but rather, thinking of yourself less.” For me this means, not putting myself down, but putting myself aside.

Self promoting seems to be the way of the world today. But as Christians we are called to be “other promoting.” When I look at group photos I try to see who is in the back, or partially behind someone. It’s hard to see them because someone who thinks they are “more important” has blocked the camera’s view.

Our Church is maintained by humble people. We are maintained by an Altar guild and worship support folks we never see, but we are cared for by them in the service materials being properly placed. The church is financially functioning because unnoticed tellers receive, count and hand over to a “behind-the-scenes” vestry who accounts for contributions every Sunday. These are just few of the many “hidden figures” who humbly serve us out of the love in their hearts.

Perhaps the most humble act that we can do today is just showing up. You don’t have to be special, you just have to be present. Show up to visit someone who is sick; show up to take someone to an appointment; show up to attend a meeting. All of these are selfless acts that are so meaningful to those you serve. And remember the words from the letter to the Hebrews: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1 – 2) And, remember not to boast. “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

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. 232

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.