faith – Page 29 – onewhoponders

Pondering for Saturday, June 21, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136;
1^st Samuel 4:1 to 11; Acts 4:32 to 5:11; Luke 21:20 to 28:

“The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty; yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone:” (Psalm 90: 10).

I am well into my 70’s now. While I have been walking around on this earth for what seems like a long time to me, it is nothing to God who knows no time. I tell people that as we live, we are living in our “dash.” The dash is that time that begins at our birth and ends with our death. What’s important in our dash time is not what we can do for ourselves. What is important is how close we can attach ourselves to the eternal God.

What is most important during our dash time is our ability to be open to God’s loving-kindness every day. The Psalmist says, “Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life:” (Psalm 90:14). We all have challenging days but perhaps with God’s help we can have better days, most days.

Some of our daily rejoicing is dependent on us. I don’t think the sum of our lives necessarily as to be labor and sorrow, that pass away quickly and we are gone. We must apply an effort in our rejoicing. If we take one step in love and happiness, God takes two. When we use our hearts and hands in the service of God, and in the service of those among us who are distressed, we will have a loving and memorable dash time, even noticed by God. The Psalmist concludes, “May the graciousness of the Lord our God be upon us; prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork:” (Psalm 90:17)

While there is no appointed saint for today, I want to resubmit a link to Bernard Mizeki whose day was last Wednesday but I could not find the link. Here it is: Bernard Mizeki

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 Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and sanctified a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Friday, June 20, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms 91 and 92;
1^st Samuel 3:1-21; Acts 2:37-47; Luke 21:5-19

“But Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son.’ He said, ‘Here I am.’ Eli said, ‘What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.’ So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, ‘It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him:” (1^st Samuel 3: 16 to 18).

This is what I meant when I said on Monday, the 16^th of June, that “Such negligence will come back to bite him later.” Eli had sons that did not follow in Eli’s ways. In fact they blasphemed God and Eli did not correct them. We must remember Father Abraham who would slaughter his son Isaac, who was without sin, only to obey what he perceived to be the will of God. Eli was still learning what it means to be a father when he took custody of Samuel. He may have been a better father to Samuel that he was to his biological sons.

As we move away from Father’s Day I pray that fathers everywhere will ponder their parental responsibilities and at least coach their young ones into their faith tradition. I believe that while we are not to go out and demand everyone follow our Christian path, all people, and fathers in particular, should have a guiding light that leads them on a moral path. As we fathers walk our paths, we should invite, or even insist, that those for whom we are responsible, accompany us as we traverse life’s expedition.

Eli, and later, even Samuel himself, will fail in their responsibility to guide their young ones in their faith paths. I hold up Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, as the model of fatherhood. We don’t have any words from Joseph. What we have is his silent obedience to the will of God. We have the example of his unconditional love for his non-biological son and his son’s mother. Love conquers all. But indeed, sometimes that love has to be tough love.

Tough love is often tougher on us dads than on those we raise. Ask Abraham and ask Joseph. Real fatherhood is not so much about biology, it’s simply the coaching, unconditional love we have for our young ones.

“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: (BCP p. 829)

God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world, and that following you is better than chasing after selfish goals. Help them to take failure, not as a measure of their worth, but as a chance for a new start. Give them strength to hold their faith in you, and to keep alive their joy in your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, June 19, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 34; Evening, Psalms 85 and 86;
1^st Samuel 2:27-36; Acts 2:22-36; Luke 20:41-21:4

“For David himself says in the book of Psalms, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” (Luke20: 42 and 43); and; “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” (Acts 2: 34 and 35)

It should not be surprising that the same words are found in both Luke and Acts given that it is the same writer. However, we can also find the same quote of Psalm 110, verse 1, in Matthew 22: 43 and 44; and Mark 12: 36. The point that Jesus is making is that the followers of David should realize that even David was aware of the coming of God Incarnate, even if he didn’t know it would be the one whom we call our Lord Jesus. The people loved David but they must have only read the Book of Chronicles regarding David where he comes out looking pretty good.

We must not forget that there is a dark chapter in the life of King David. It is 2^nd Samuel, chapter 11. David commits adultery with the wife of his subordinate military officer and then has him put in harm’s way in order that he would be killed. I loved the story of David and Goliath, it was a childhood favorite of mine. The truth is, however, that all of us have at least one dark chapter in our lives. Some of us may have more than one. But we have a merciful Savior who will forgive us all our sins as He did David.

Every biblical hero except Jesus has hiccups in their past but God takes such believers, blesses them, brakes them and gives them to us in ways that then blesses us. Thank You Lord Jesus; take me, bless me, brake me and give me. Amen.

Today we remember Adelaide Teague Case, Teacher (1948) and her information may be found at: Adelaide Teague Case.

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, have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:97-120; Evening, Psalms 81 and 82;
1^st Samuel 2:12 to 26; Acts 2:1 to 21; Luke 20:27 to 40:

“Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection:” (Luke 20:36).

We humans so often try to project our own existence on life beyond our known world. We try to make God in our image rather than accept that some part of our existence is patterned after God. We also try to make our resurrected life like life on this side of the resurrection. It simply doesn’t work. We have to be open minded. For one thing, as Jesus points out to the Sadducees, we are done with the idea of death after our resurrection. Marriage too, like racism, war and money are all human constructs that don’t exist in that “next generation.”

There are two things that I believe about the resurrection. The first is that while we will not die again, we might tend to cease to exist if we can’t let go of human constructs that don’t work in heaven: that is, we will return to the nothingness from whence God brought us in the beginning. The second is that there will be some accountability at our resurrection. This is why we should practice some sense of morality in this life. For me, it means giving all human constructs the lowest level of heavenly priority they deserve. It also means giving love the highest priority that it deserves; that Godly construct which eternally exist in the resurrection, that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.

My personal living creed is; “I trust in the Creating Word through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word, in whom I live and move and love and have my being, and to whom I must give an account.” Our lord Jesus says that at our resurrection we will be like angels and children of God, being children of the resurrection. I pray the crafters of Luke’s Gospel got this right. I am living my whole life in these words. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Bernard Mizeki, Catechist and Martyr in Africa (June 18, 1896) and his information may be found at: http://www.satucket.com/ltionary/Bernard_Mizeki.htm.

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. 505)

Merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life: Raise us, we humbly pray, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness; that when we depart this life we may rest in him, and at the resurrection receive that blessing which your well-beloved Son shall then pronounce: “Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.” Grant this, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

Pondering for Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
1^st Samuel 1:21 to 2:11; Acts 1:15 to 26; Luke 20:19 to 26:

“So they watched him and sent spies who pretended to be honest, in order to trap him by what he said, so as to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor. So they asked him, ‘Teacher, we know that you are right in what you say and teach, and you show deference to no one, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, ‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?’ They said, ‘The emperor’s.’ He said to them, ‘Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s:” (Luke 20: 20 to 25)

My history sources inform me that the use of coin money predates the appearance of our Lord Jesus by about five thousand years, that is, about the year five thousand B.C. There were, and are good reasons for money. Foods and other needed products have short shelf lives. Coin money maintained its serviceability for a long time, but not forever. Money quickly became the great tool for the establishment of the rich and the poor – the haves and the have-nots. Money worked its way into our relationship with God, albeit without God’s approval. God does not want our money. God wants our hearts, our love. Love then is what we should give to God. Even metal or plastic money is not eternal; but love is. Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Marina the Monk, Monastic, 5^th Century and her information may be found at: Marina the Monk.

We also remember Evelyn Underhill: Theologian and Mystic (15 JUNE 1941) “Evelyn Underhill’s most valuable contribution to spiritual literature must surely be her conviction that the mystical life is not only open to a saintly few, but to anyone who cares to nurture it and weave it into everyday experience, and also (at the time, a startling idea) that modern psychological theories and discoveries, far from hindering or negating spirituality, can actually enhance and transform it. Evelyn Underhill’s writings proved appealing to many, resulting in a large international circle of friends and disciples, making her much in demand as a lecturer and retreat director. She died, at age 65, in London on June 15, 1941:” (Great Cloud of Witnesses June 15). I thank you Lord Jesus for Evelyn Underhill among us. Her information may be found at: Evelyn Underhill.

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 use money for our common welfare and not as an idol that uses us. Help us to ensure we all have at least what we need but to Give to God our whole selves as taught by our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, June 16, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 6: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;
1^st Samuel 1:1 to 20; Acts 1:1 to 14; Luke 20:9 to 19:

“Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him; (1^st Samuel 1:17).

This opening of 1^st Samuel is important as it opens for us the beginnings of the prophet Samuel. But there is a lesson here about parental responsibility. Hannah is distressed because she has not given birth to a child. While her husband’s other wife has given birth to a few children. So she prays for the ability to become pregnant. Eli, the priest also had sons but his sons did not follow the pattern of the parent, they were rude and gluttonous and disrespectful. Eli did not hold them accountable. Such negligence will come back to bite him later.

While Hannah is devoted to God in her inmost self, the priest, Eli, doesn’t know her well enough to see that she is a pious woman. He assumes the worst, and he is wrong. To his credit however, when he sees his mistake, he works with God to grant her petition.

Our Church today is wrong if, and when, it takes part in judging people. We forget that we, the Church, are not called to judge, we are called to love, and to love unconditionally. God will judge.

Today we remember Joseph Butler, Bishop and Theologian (1752) and George Berkeley, Bishop and Theologian (1753) and their information may be found at: Joseph Butler, and George Berkeley, respectively.

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 Unity of the Church, BCP p. 818)

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday June 15, 2025

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Trinity Sunday: Year C

John 16:12-15

“Jesus said to the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (John 16: 12)

God’s Wisdom may not be in us, but God’s love is in us. Many biblical writings report this; from Jeremiah 31:31-34, to what we have in Romans 5:5 for today. God has already done this wonderful thing to bring us closer to God. We just have to rely on it and trust it. As the writings say, we have God’s love through the Holy Spirit. As we learned last week (Pentecost Sunday) the Holy Spirit of God has come among us. This Holy Spirit works through the gathered community, the Church. This is why we must come together, yes, as an organized religion. Jesus did not say go and do your own thing, but rather, he said, “follow me.”

We are a creedal people. My own personal creed is Trinitarian. While I still adhere to the tenets of our Nicene Creed, I needed to fashion words that more closely articulate my personal theology. And, here it is, “I Trust in the Creating Word through the Holy Spirit of the Incarnate Word, in whom I live and move and love and have my being, and to whom I must give an account.”

I try to be intentional about worshiping God in spirit and truth. This was foretold by Jesus when he said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks;” (John 4:23). Jesus prepares us to receive what he wants us to know, and then tells us only what we can handle at the time. “Jesus said to the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Jesus will inform us of what we need to know, when we are ready.

This remembrance of Trinity Sunday informs us that God meets us where we are. Some of us may need an All Powerful God to move the waters so that we can get to safety. We may need a companion God while on the road to Emmaus to break bread with us. Or, we may need the Great Spirit of God to visit us in our dreams, or through the voice of another to guide us on our way (as revealed in our Gospel lesson for today), and move us away from divisiveness, in order to have us to do God’s will on earth as it is in heaven. In all of these cases we are “on the move” with One or another quality of the Trinity.”

Here is a little note about Father’s Day. Joseph, husband to Mary the Mother of Jesus, is the best example of fatherhood I think there is. We do not have one word from his mouth in all the Gospel accounts, yet, we witness his steadfast obedience to God. He keeps Mary who is pregnant but not by him. He follows God’s instructions to take the family to Egypt and then to bring the family back to Israel again. He is a carpenter by vocation who provides for his family and is obedient to God. As he is a quiet man so I imagine him to be one-who-ponders also.

As we listen to what the Spirit 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 fathers in remembrance of Joseph)

O God, who from the family of your servant David raised up Joseph to be the guardian of your incarnate Son and the spouse of his virgin mother: Give us grace to imitate his uprightness of life and his obedience to your commands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, June 14, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 75 and 76; Evening, Psalms 23 and 27;
Ecclesiasticus 46:1 to 10; 2^nd Corinthians 13:1 to14; Luke 20:1 to 8:

“Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever:” (Last verse of Psalm 23).

I think Psalm23 is the most famous Psalm of all. Many people know it by heart, including me. For this evening we also have Psalm 27. There is a related verse in it. It reads, “One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life:” (from Psalm 27). There is a difference here. Psalm 23 proclaims “for ever,” whereas Psalm 27 asks for as long as the Psalmist lives.

I know it sounds petty but my requests are eternal requests. I don’t know what the eternal life is like. Do we eat food in the next life? Do we even get hungry? Do we breathe in the next life? Do we need air? I am of this earth and I don’t know any other way to exist. O God I need you to help me understand. I want to dwell in your house regardless of what that existence is like. But I am afraid. I need your help and your counsel. Or else I am not sure I will be able to handle eternal life which I so desperately want.

“Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me. You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” Your face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure. You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation:” (Verses from Psalm 27). This is my prayer as well.

I truly feel that God is the God of my salvation. I believe that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, for whatever that living is like. God’s ears hears my tears. And I am so thankful. I also remind myself that God is the God of loving surprises. We must expect the unexpected.

Pray with me if you will: “Surely God’s goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and with God’s guidance, we will dwell in comfort and joy in the house of the Lord for ever:” Thank You Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Basil the Great, Bishop and Theologian (June 14, 379) and his information may be found at: Basil the Great

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 Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Pondering for Friday, June 13, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 69; Evening, Psalm 73;
Ecclesiasticus 45:6 to 16; 2^nd Corinthians 12:11 to 21; Luke 19:41 to 48:

“As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes:” (Luke 19: 41 and 42).

We have a slightly different take on Jesus’ emotions from the Gospel of Matthew as he assessed Jerusalem; He says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23: 37)

But even from our Luke version we learn that it is not so much the place, (Jerusalem), but the recognition of the events that make for peace. I borrow from Abraham Joshua Heschel in his book “Sabbath,” where he writes, “The Bible is more concerned with time than with space. It sees the world in the dimension of time. It pays more attention to generations, to events, than to countries, to things; it is more concerned with history than with geography:” (pages 6 and 7 of Sabbath).

In February of 2018 I visited Israel for 10 days. Our tour started in the Galilee area of Israel and concluded with Jerusalem. I, personally, was more impressed with the events of Jesus’ baptism, healings, sermon of the Mount, changing water into wine, walking on the water, Transfiguration, the feeding of the multitude with only a few fish and loaves, his discussions with Pharisees and the woman at the well, and many other events that Jesus did in Galilee, rather than the what we did to him in Jerusalem; that is, killing him. The whole earth is the holy land because God made the whole earth.

For me, in the Bible and in our lives today, first and foremost is the “What;” then, the “why.” Of course then there is the “Who.” And, lastly, the “where,” becomes obvious.

I have found that this formula works today. If we first ask what needs to be done, and then why it needs to be done, and then who should do it, we are well on our way to resolution. The “where” will become obvious but in the end, it makes no difference. Resolution happens where the problem is, whether its voter suppression in the South, cyber attacks from another country, a virus from yet another country, or whatever. We must ask what the problem is, why we need to resolve it, and who should lead the work with God’s help. But first, let us remember our sacred time given to us by God.

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:

Open our eyes dear Lord, not only to see, but to recognize what is right before us. Help us to understand and keep sacred the blessed moments that You change our course in life in order that we might make our way to You, doing what is pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, June 12, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 5: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 70 and 71; Evening, Psalm 74;
Ecclesiasticus 44:19 to 45:5; 2^nd Corinthians 12:1 to10; Luke 19:28 to 40:

“And now that I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, till I make known your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come:” (words from Psalm 71).

I went to the state DMV a few years ago to renew my driver’s license. The DMV clerk asked me to take the standard vision test and she looked at me and gave me the description of 6 feet tall, brown eyes and black hair. Some time later I went back for my “Real ID Driver’s license” and another clerk looked at me and gave me the description of 6 feet tall, brown eyes and gray hair. The truth be known, it was probably gray the first time but the clerk was trying to be nice. Perhaps this truly is my “Real ID.” I am in my seventies now. I don’t deny it. And yes, my hair is mostly gray now.

God has invested a lot in me all these years. And I pray, “O God, do not forsake me, till I make known your strength to this generation and your power to all who are to come:” This is in part why I write this blog. I want people to know about God and God’s loving care for all of us, gray haired or no haired.

I practice music and much of my music is centered on hymns and spiritual songs. My favorite is “Praise to the Lord,” it is Hymn number 390 in the 1982 Hymnal of the Episcopal Church. But I have heard it from different hymnals from different Churches. The third verse says in part, “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, when with His love doth befriend thee.”

I am of the English tongue. It is who I am. There is no denying it. Some people try to express who or what they are based on their skin color or ethnic ancestry. Not me. I am the language I speak. I don’t know how to even express it any other way. I am who I am. I love people of all languages. I just happen to be an English speaker.

To take it to the next level, beyond the language I speak, I also sing in the same language. These are the hymns and songs of faith that I pass on to children and their children after them so that they too might have faith. Our reading from the Psalm 71 continues, “Therefore I will praise you upon the lyre for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing to you with the harp, O Holy One of Israel: (Words from Psalm 71). The Psalmist continues from his soul, “My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, and so will my soul, which you have redeemed: (words from Psalm 71).

I just talked about the importance of our souls yesterday. You might want to review it. Whether we are aware of it or not, our souls long for God’s salvation. Beloved of the Lord, we must put our hope and trust in God’s Word and God’s guidance in our everyday lives, gray haired or no haired.

Today we remember Enmegahbowh, Priest and Missionary (June 12, 1902) and his information may be found at: Enmegahbowh.

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, I beg You, strengthen my faith only that I may strengthen the faith of others in order that Your plan for eternal salvation may be received by all people through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.