jesus – Page 14 – onewhoponders

Pondering for Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 14: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 97 and 99; Evening, Psalm 94;
2^nd Samuel 14:1 to 20; Acts 21:1 to 14; Mark 10:1 to 16:

“Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ Since he would not be persuaded, we remained silent except to say, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’” (Acts 21:13 and 14)

I don’t know if we can call Paul’s words here, acts of courage. For Paul has had visions and voices from our Lord Jesus and therefore had more than just belief. Paul had certain knowledge. Once we know, we can’t un-know. Once we know what our Lord Jesus is doing, it is no longer a matter of faith, belief or courage, it is a matter knowing and of obedience to the will of God.

We have pivotal names in the Bible that hinges our faith together. We have Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Ruth, David, Mary and Joseph and of course our Lord Jesus. Then we have Peter, James, John and Paul. All of these names represent turning points in our journey from faith to knowledge. But the most instrumental and important Name is the Name of our Lord Jesus.

The people of faith cry and try to persuade Paul, a person of certain knowledge, not to go to Jerusalem in order to save his earthly body. But Paul has seen the will of God. And nothing will stand in his way. It is like those who comforted him said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

I ponder about how my life would change if our Lord Jesus took me aside and was present with me as he was with Paul while he was on his way to Damascus; or as Jesus was with Peter, James and John on the mountain at the Transfiguration; or even as God was with Moses as bush, fire, and voice, – in a Trinitarian Presence wherein Moses no longer had to rely on faith or belief, for after the burning bush experience, he knew, and he knew God’s will, at least for himself.

Should we fear the Day of the Lord? It is a trick question. On the one hand, when God visits us all guess work and doubt is gone forever. On the other, what possible pain awaits us as it did for Paul and the apostles and even the predicament Moses found himself in with the king of Egypt?

The good news is that no matter the outcome, we will KNOW that we will arrive in glory! So, should we pray for God to make God’s self known to us? I’m afraid. How about you? Sometimes just believing is a safe way out. All we have to do is live, love and trust in God. Amen; Halleluiah.

Today our Church remembers Florence Nightingale, Nurse, Re-newer of Society, (August 12, 1910) and her information may be found at: Florence Nightingale.

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. 100

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, August 11, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 14: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 89:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 89:19 to 52;
2^nd Samuel 13:23 to 39; Acts 20:17 to 38; Mark 9:42 to 50:

“Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20: 28)

Paul gives a farewell speech to those that he does not expect to see again. I am not a big fan of Paul but I do recognize that from time to time, from letter to letter, a divine message slips through that God managed to get to us through Paul.

I believe that if a Church is open and receptive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will lead that Church in godly ways. Just as we must examine all that Paul says, so too, we must be attentive to what parish and Church leaders say. Maybe all that they say and do is godly, maybe not. The people in the pews are not relieved of their God-given sense of reason. God’s messages are always messages of love and inclusion. It does not matter what label we put on a Christian Church, be it Baptist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran or Episcopalian, or any denominational or nondenominational name we use.

Through the cup of Christ at Holy Communion the Christian Church, is joined to Christ as adopted children of God. For me, this is an adoption into servanthood to, and for, all people be they Christian or not; and also servants and stewards of this fragile earth our island home.

These calls to servanthood and to stewardship are the overseeing guidance that I sense from the leadership of the Holy Spirit of God. Perhaps not all are called to be servants and stewards. Following our Lord Jesus is not easy, at least, not at first. Servanthood requires one to deny one’s self as a way to discern what a neighbor needs. Stewardship of the planet requires us to monitor our own use of resources and the potential damage we might cause to the environment through waste, negligence or excess. As environmental “overseers” empowered by the Holy Spirit, we the Church, have the responsibility to care for our home. This earth is where our part of creation lives and moves and has its being. This earth, our neighbors, and our time here on earth, are all gifts from God who loves us dearly. The cup of Christ makes all Christians kindred regardless of language, nationality, how we look, or where we live on this planet. We are God’s servants even for those who are not Christians because God loves every human being.

Today we remember Clare of Assisi, Nun (August 11, 1253) and her information may be found at Clare of Assisi

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

Let us pray: For All Sorts and Conditions of Men (BCP p. 814)

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

Pondering for Sunday, August 10, 2025

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 14: Year C

Luke 12:32-40

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)

Ok, here is the challenge. When is it that we expect the coming of the Lord? Being ready is not about preparing for the big day. It is about living everyday as if this day, is the day.

If Jesus comes to you next Saturday and ask you when was the last time you prayed what would your answer be? Would it be “this morning?” Would it be “last night?” Would it be last Sunday in Church?” Would it be the last Sunday that you attended a Sunday Service?” And could your response be, “Lord, I don’t know?” No, what we really don’t know is when Jesus will come, and when he does, if He will ask such a question.

Bishop’s visits are announced. We know the day he is coming, and there is a certain amount of preparation to take place for that event. But what if Bishop’s visits were unannounced? It would kind of go like this; “Oh MY God. Look y’all, the Bishop is in the parking lot and coming to our Church today! What are we going to do?” In my days as Rector here I would have told you exactly what we were going to do. We are going to have Church and the Bishop is going to lead and celebrate and I don’t have to worry about whether or not my sermon works because he is now going to preach. Halleluiah!

This day and age we can read about events on social media almost as soon as it happens because phones are active, perhaps even active right now in the pews. But active phones in the pews won’t relate to you the presence of Jesus should Jesus decide to be at our Church on any given Sunday; you know, just kind of checking things out, to see whose regular and not just coming when they think he will be here.

Of course I can hear it now; “Man, if I knew Jesus was going to be at our parish I would have been there.” Or, “Wow, if I knew Jesus was going to just pop in and ask me the last time I prayed, I would have been praying when he appeared.” Jesus knows that’s what we would say. But that’s not what Jesus is looking for. Jesus is not looking for you getting ready; Jesus is looking for you being ready. Jesus is not looking for how you want to live your life; Jesus is looking for how you are living your life.

Today’s message is not about tomorrow. It is about right now. It is about looking for Jesus now. It is about expecting Jesus in our life right now, this moment. The last thing you want to be texted to you from the pews if you are not in Church is, “Jesus came to our Church today and is promising all of us who are here today that we will be with him in paradise. Sorry you weren’t here. Love you, bye.” Let’s go the Church because it’s Sunday because that’s what we Christians do, every Sunday. This is how we are found always ready. Let us always pray and attend as much as possible. Halleluiah!

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)

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Preface of the Lord’s Day

Pondering for Saturday, August 9, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 13: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 87 and 90; Evening, Psalm 136;
2^nd Samuel 12:15 to 31; Acts 20:1 to 16; Mark 9:30 to 41:

“Then his servants said to him, ‘What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while it was alive; but when the child died, you rose and ate food.’ He said, ‘While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, “Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me, and the child may live.” But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me:” (2^nd Samuel 12: 21 to 23).

David models for us the position that we should have, as we go to God on behalf of a loved one. We pray, and perhaps we should pray with much fasting and tears as we beg God to intervene in our downward spiral, hardship or sickness, or circumstance of what a loved one is going through.

While David wanted the child to live, he also knew that God’s will, will be done. But more than that, David says something very truthful: “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

We all have lost loved ones that have gone on before us. They will not come back to us. However, we too will one day pass away. When we do, we will join those who have gone before us. My beloved of the Lord, this life is not the end. David was so correct in saying “I shall go to him.”

However, it is especially difficult to experience the passing of an infant or a young child. So our prayer for any of us who have lost a child might be: “Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: deal graciously with us in our grief. Surround us with your love, that we may not be overwhelmed by our loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (BCP 494)

When these kinds of sad things happen the only thing we have left is prayer. David went into deep consultation with God but in the end, God did not spare David’s son. And as we know, God did not spare His only Son either. Love has no limits as part of its makeup. Death, even the death of an innocent, cannot be a reason to leave the love and judgment of God. In the end as David said, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me:” We shall go to them, but they will not return to us.

Today we remember Edith Stein, Philosopher, Monastic and Martyr (1942) and her information may be found at Edith Stein.

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, August 8, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 13: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 88; Evening, Psalms 91 and 92;
2^nd Samuel 12:1 to 14; Acts 19:21 to 41; Mark 9:14 to 29:

“You are the man!” (2^nd Samuel, 12:7)

When Nathan, the Prophet of God, came and told David the metaphor about the rich man who took a poor man’s only little lamb to slaughter for his guest rather than slaughtering one from his own of many sheep, David was furious and said, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity:” (2^nd Samuel 12:5 and 6).

This is when Nathan breaks out of the metaphor and informs David that, “He is the man!” and then explains how God has looked after him all his life and has given him much including many wives and yet he saw fit to go and take Uriah’s only wife to bed, and then have him killed. So after hearing Nathan’s story, David realized he passed judgment on himself.

David was sorry for what he had done and said to Nathan, “‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ Nathan said to David, ‘Now the Lord has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die:” (2^nd Samuel 12: 13 and 14). The child dies. I have learned not to try to hold God in judgment. God will do what God will do. This is what it means to be the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

Perhaps the biggest take-away for me is not to put David, or any mortal on a pedestal. We all fall short, all that is, except our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And it is our Lord Jesus whom we go to for forgiveness for he is our Redeemer and Advocate. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Today we remember Dominic, Preacher, Friar, Missionary (August 8, 1221) and his information may be found at St. Dominic.

“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: Let us again confess our own sins against God and our neighbor. (BCP p.358)

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, August 7, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 13: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 34; Evening, Psalms 85 and 86;
2^nd Samuel 11:1 to 27; Acts 19:11 to 20; Mark 9:2 to 13:

“In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. In the letter he wrote, ‘Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, so that he may be struck down and die:” (2^nd Samuel 11:14 and 15)

What an evil sandwich this is. Because of the lust he had for a woman, and her subsequent pregnancy, the almost honorable David, king of all Israel, has stooped to the betrayal and murder of one of his own.

And, if this was not bad enough, he has enlisted the aid of Joab his commander, to assist him in this sinful act. In this case, the bottom and top pieces of bread for this sandwich are the evil parts. In the center, between the bread, is the honorable lamb, Uriah, who would not comfort himself while Joab and all his military peers were waging war and sleeping when, and where they could, on the ground. I have to say, as a U. S. Marine, a military man of thirty active years, I have the utmost respect and admiration for Uriah. And I recall from this scripture, they were fighting for God’s desires as they understood it.

I can remember when President Bush (41) was told by someone during the Liberation of Kuwait, that “God was on our side”: the President responded, “I pray that we are on God’s side.” I don’t think David was on God’s side in his self-serving lust and sinful murder of Uriah. I also hold Joab equally as guilty for his participation in the killing of Uriah. It’s too late for me now, but I pray that if I had any ungodly proposition presented to me while in uniform, I would do the honorable thing, and also, that if witnessing immoral and ungodly acts, that I would give it all up for the sake of decency and morality. As far as I can recall, no such dilemmas occurred with me during the time and places I served.

There is heavy sadness in this story. Uriah is given his own death certificate unknowingly. I ponder if any eye-contact was made between Joab and Uriah as Joab read the letter ordering him to leave Uriah unprotected. What kind of sick allegiance would have Joab follow this sinful betrayal of his subordinate? Did he not love his troops as he did his king? Real love forbids such acts of betrayal. I hope that if I was in Joab’s place, I would have hidden the letter and later faced David with it. The Love for those placed in our charge must be a greater priority than the love of those in whose charge we have been placed. We must love down in order to be lifted up.

Today we remember John Mason Neale, Priest, Scholar and Translator (August 7, 1866) and his information may be found at John Mason Neale. We also remember Catherine Winkworth, Poet (August 7, 1878) and her information may be found at: Catherine Winkworth.

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

Let us pray: Let us confess our own sins against God and our neighbor. (BCP p.358)

Pondering for Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Eucharistic Readings for the Transfiguration August 6

Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1:13-21; Luke 9:28-36

“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35)

This Gospel reading tells us that Jesus takes with him Peter, James and John up a mountain and is Transfigured before them. They got to see the reality of who Jesus is. They got to see Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets, stand before Jesus, God Incarnate.

Peter is so moved by this experience that he speaks out of his hysteria about making booths to represent the three of them, Moses, Elijah and Jesus. The Presence of God touched all of their senses. The cloud overshadowed them causing them to breathe in God as well as touch their skin. The vision of what was taking place pierced their eyes making an indelible mark on their minds. And finally, the very voice of God spoke, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

Peter never forgot this event. Even though he would claim not to know Jesus at the arrest of Jesus, but the knowledge of who Jesus is was never forgotten. Later, in his second letter, Peter would write, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16 – 18)

The Gospels of Matthew (Mt. 3:17) and Mark (Mk. 1:11) also carry the words “You are my Son in whom I am well pleased,” but the words seem to be directed at Jesus only. In any case, we have the additional words today of “Listen to him.” This “listen to him” is understood to be “obey” him in the Hebrew context and I might add, ours as well.

This validation of who Jesus is has been handed down to you and me. This Gospel always comes up on the last Sunday of Epiphany as a segue into Lent regardless of the Year (Matthew 17:1 -19; Mk. 9:2 – 9; and Lk. 9: 28 – 36). For many years I preached the “Pilot Light” sermon leading into Lent wherein I told of the cleaning of an old gas stove used in my mother’s restaurant in the 1950’s. In this restaurant we catered mostly to college students from Fisk and Tennessee State, (A&I) then. There was always a Summer slowdown when school was out. This was a time for cleaning the old stove.

The stove had to be disassembled to make a thorough cleaning. I was young then but I was shown the “Pilot Light.” I was amazed that from this little flicker of light that resembled a small candle burning in a cave, made possible the cooking of all the foods for the whole year for students who came from two universities. It was during the cleansing and the de-greasing of that stove that the light was carried to start other flames in order that they might do their work. How appropriate for coming to Lent. Also, how appropriate to see who Jesus really is, the Light revealed. I like singing, “This Little Light of Mine,” when I use this sermon. Let us then listen to him and obey him. Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

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. 243) The Transfiguration August 6

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pondering for Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 13: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 78:1 to 39; Evening, Psalm 78:40 to 72;
2^nd Samuel 7:18 to 29; Acts 18:12 to 28; Mark 8:22 to 33

“Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John:” (Acts 18: 24 and 25).

My initial thought about Apollos’ baptism of John is that that is the only baptism that Jesus himself knew. Now John the Baptist did talk of a baptism by fire and the Holy Spirit by Jesus, but there is no record of any baptism by Jesus himself, although he did set the example for all who choose to follow him by being baptized.

It was the 17^th Century Anglican Priest, Richard Hooker, who said as Anglicans we have Scripture, Tradition, and Reason as our three-legged stool. And, unlike other Christian traditions of faith, we acknowledge that if any one of the three legs were missing, the stool would topple. Not only that, each leg must be the same length or there is unbalance.

Baptism breaches the line between Scripture and Church Tradition. It is Scripture that has been interpreted by the Church in many different ways depending on one’s particular Christian faith tradition. While everyone in the Bible were consenting adults, at least the individuals we read about, there are occasions where like with Lydia’s “household” being baptized, we don’t know the makeup of such households. Such households could include children, even babies. There are other cases where “households” were moved to being baptized due to miraculous signs by the apostles. It is the Acts of the Apostles that really begins our Christian Church no matter what stripe we are. Baptism is the making of the Christian.

We must acknowledge however, that Apollos, in our Acts reading for today, “was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures.” And, he was baptized. So as far as he was concerned, he had done everything right.

The Acts story continues, “[Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately:” (Acts 18: 27). This still happens today. People move around from Church to Church as they grow in the faith. Apollos listened to Priscilla and Aquila and their teaching made sense to him. He already had the gifts, gifts that needed to be focused. Later, he greatly helped those who, through grace, had become believers. Grace then is the love component poured on us by God.

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. 819)

O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, August 4, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 13: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 80; Evening, Psalm 77;
2 Samuel 7:1-17; Acts 18:1-11; Mark 8:11-21:

“I commune with my heart in the night; I ponder and search my mind. (Psalm 77: 6)

As most all of my readers know, my ponderings are reflections derived from the Daily Office readings of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church. My ponderings are theological and meant to share for the theological enhancement of all who may read what I share.

Rarely do I attempt to connect a theme with all the readings for a given day. But today is an exception. For some reason I think I see something of the nature of God. I’m just pondering.

I am moved by the number of repeats in our different readings for today. Let me give you some examples. In our first Psalm recommended for the morning, Psalm 80, we read, “Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved:” (Psalm 80: 3 times this is said). We do need the light of God’s countenance. And it is only with it that we will be saved.

In Psalm 77 recommended for the evening I catch the repeated “pondering” that goes on. We read, “I think of God, I am restless, I ponder, and my spirit faints. (Psalm 77:3). And again, “I commune with my heart in the night; I ponder and search my mind. (Psalm 77: 6). And once more, “I will meditate on all your acts and ponder your mighty deeds:” (Psalm 77:12).

Our God seems to be and “outdoorsy” kind of God. God is with us in tents in 2^nd Samuel and with tent makers in the Acts of the Apostles. In our 2^nd Samuel reading, God doesn’t seem to want a house but then says later that God does want one, but it will be built by an ancestor of David. This is thought to be Solomon. But what if, I ponder, the house is not one built with hands, but a house of faith, eternal in the heavens. Eternal in the heavens, now that’s very outdoorsy.

Paul is outdoors during most of his preaching and teaching. It is revealed that he never loses his vocation of tent making. I like that. I have always felt the those of us who teach and preach for God should also carry their own weight in community occupations like everybody else. Ironic that while Paul’s preaching and teaching is mostly outdoors, his vocation is one of covering people with tents. It’s okay, he’s got us covered in more ways than one.

God in Christ Jesus is with us in boats in our Gospel for today. But if we care to notice, much of our Lord Jesus’ activity is in, or around, boats. Jesus reveals the outdoorsy nature of God. I ponder that maybe being outside might often bring us closer to God as we are saved by the light of God’s countenance, in a tent or in a boat; but mostly, in the ponderings of our outdoorsy minds.

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 gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; let thy Spirit go forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show thy loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and save us from selfish use of what thou givest, that men and women everywhere may give thee thanks; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, August 3, 2025

Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 13: Year C

Luke 12:13-21

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you.” (Luke 12:20)

This passage is taken from the parable of the “Rich Fool.” This parable is used by Jesus to show a younger brother that his desire for wealth made wealth his idol. Moreover, he would do well to not worry about material things but rather the kingdom of heaven.

To be clear the rich man in the parable that Jesus uses to teach from is not an evil man. He has not cheated his workers or stolen anything. However, he has benefited from the sun, the soil, and the rains in due season. Because of this tri-fecta of blessings he obtained wealth. And this wealth becomes his god and begins to own him. It has him talking to himself. It has him planning for himself only. It has him living for himself only. And finally, it even has him congratulating himself. Where is the Creating, Redeeming and Sanctifying God in his plan, his life, his living and his praise?

Jesus comes into the world after money comes into the world. Before the coins of currency, time was a big issue. People had to trade before crops spoiled. And there was great dependence on God for tomorrow’s sustenance. Money begins to avert our dependence on God. Money then became a god.

All around the rich fool were the poor. But apparently it never occurred to him to share his stores with them. I know people who don’t have much. And by the way they distribute what little they do have, they probably never will. But they give to the needy, They give to the children of the poor. They give to their church. They are rich in the Kingdom of God! Instead of being rich fools, they are the holy saints of heaven that will dwell in light eternal. Because they are looking after the poor and lonely in this world, God will take care of them in the next.

I have worked with families who fought bitterly over wealth at the time of the death of an older family member. It is not pretty. I think what is saddest about it is the concern and energy put into wanting the money and property of the deceased. I have also seen the property fights regarding divorce settlements, again, not pretty. Instead of thinking about what we need, we think about what we can get.

We should focus our desire on the Kingdom of heaven and go back in our corporate spiritual ancestry and learn to re-trust in God for tomorrow’s sustenance. God is God before time began. God was God when we depended on the short life of crops and livestock. That same God is our God today. Just because we have coins, currency, credit cards, stocks and bonds we are not out from under the domain of God. This is the God before time. This is the God before money. This is the God of now. And, this is the God that always will be. This God is watching how we use our borrowed resources during the little time we are here. We should not want to be so much concerned with who will get what remains of our wealth after we are gone. Rather, we want to be concerned with where our soul remains after we are gone. This very night our life could be demanded of us. Let us seek ye first the Kingdom of God.

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)

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.