jesus – Page 6 – onewhoponders

Pondering for Sunday, November 2, 2025

The Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 26: Year C

“Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” (Luke 19: 9 – 10)

I always see Danny De Vito as Zacchaeus; a short man in statue but very tall in his openness to change. Funny how the man (Zacchaeus) climbs a tree to see a man (Jesus) who will end his life on a tree. This is something to ponder.

Something else to ponder is that Zacchaeus is called a “chief” tax collector.” This shows how he is considered even further removed from the House of Israel and from the Temple. He is perhaps the most repugnant among the excluded of the Hebrew people. But Jesus hears his change of heart and proclaims him also “a son of Abraham.” Jesus bypasses all the Temple bureaucracy and puts Zacchaeus back into the Promise of God.

Jesus came for people like you and me. And like Zacchaeus, we too must get ourselves into a place where we can see who Jesus is, and then allow him to come and visit with us. We must make right the wrongs we’ve done and promise to do all we can to fix or mend what we’ve broken. We too want to be placed back into the fold of Abraham.

Being lost is no problem because our Lord Jesus proclaims that he has come to seek out and save the lost. I am glad that our Lord Jesus is looking for us, how about you? Climbed any sycamore trees lately? He is coming! We need to get to a place where we can at least be seen by Him and then accept Him into our homes and hearts.

Today is traditionally the day assigned for the faithful departed. Therefore, let us pray: (BCP p. 467)

Almighty God, look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom we pray. Remember them, Lord, in mercy; nourish them with patience; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; lift up your countenance upon them; and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, November 1, 2025

Eucharistic Readings for All Saints Day, Year C

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

Today is All Saints Day!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pondering for Friday, October 31, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 25: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 40, 54; Evening, Psalm 51:
Nehemiah 2:1-20; Revelation 6:12-7:4; Matthew 13:24-30

“So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.” (Matthew 13: 26)

God has made all things very good as we learn in the opening of Genesis. But soon to follow is evil. Why? Please note that evil does not begin and then good follows. No, first there is good, and then evil follows. This doesn’t have to be.

In today’s parable Jesus tells of the wheat sown and then an enemy plants weeds among the wheat. It seems that evil only wants to spoil the goodness for evil’s sake. We start with Creation and proceed to a fall because of evil and sin. We have homes and employment and then comes foreclosure or termination, respectively. If the first didn’t exist, the second couldn’t exist. Evil only has its existence in corrupting goodness. If we are aware of this, then being forewarned is being forearmed.

The lesson for us today is to be alert. We are not to wait for evil, but we are to understand that evil lurks at the door and its desire is to consume us but we must master it. (Genesis 4:7)

God created us very good. But we must be on the alert for the evil and sin that shows up in community, in our Church, in our friends, in our family and in ourselves. We must be vigilant. When, (not if), you see evil, call it out; even in yourself. We must separate ourselves from any evil that tries to infest itself in us. And like in the parable, as we grow in spiritual maturity, the evil will be as distinguished as weeds among wheat, and be better identified so as to be removed.

Let us ponder all that God has made good, and very good, including our Sabbath rest.

“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. 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 Thursday, October 30, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 25

Morning, Psalm 50; Evening, Psalm 103;
Nehemiah 1:1 to 11; Revelation 5:11 to 6:11; Matthew 13:18 to 23:

“When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven:” (Nehemiah 1:4)

Nehemiah broke down in tears upon hearing about the trouble and shame of those left behind and the destruction of the wall and gates of Jerusalem. All of it was human-on-human violence. He couldn’t bear it.

Weeping is prayer. From Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21), to Mary Magdalene at the tomb of our Lord Jesus (The Gospel of John chapter 20), and many points in between, like the one we have for today, God’s ears hears tears.

When it comes to crying, it does not matter about one’s faith or even if one has a faith at all. God has hardwired us to connect with God whenever we cry. Therefore, even if one claims to be an atheist, but whose heart has moved him or her to crying, God is notified and acts in only the way God sees fit.

I have heard it said that real men don’t cry. That’s Balderdash. If real men have real souls, (and they do), then something emotionally painful will cause their tears to flow. And the super sensitive ears of God will definitely hear those water droplets flow down his cheeks, regardless of surrounding noise, and respond in ways that only God can.

There is too much sadness all around today. We have natural disasters, disease fears and deaths, military threats, and we still have human-on-human violence and many other sad situations that cause all of us to come to tears as it did to Nehemiah. But God will never abandon us. “Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30). This is because God’s ears hears tears.

Today we remember John Wyclif, Translator and Controversialist, (October 30, 1384) and his information may be found at: John Wyclif

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. 831)

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 25, Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:49 to 72; Evening, Psalm 49;
Ezra 6:1 to 22; Revelation 5:1 to10; Matthew 13:10 to 17:

“With joy they celebrated the festival of unleavened bread for seven days; for the Lord had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” (Ezra 6:22)

God often intervenes in the thinking of people around true believers. It has happened long ago, and it happens today. God influenced king Darius to assist the Israelites in the rebuilding of their place of worship. Darius spared no resource in assisting the displaced people of God. He decreed, “Moreover, I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God: the cost is to be paid to these people, in full and without delay, from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province Beyond the River.” (Ezra 6:8).

The heart of king Darius was so moved to help the Israelites that he also put words in his edict that warned those who might resist their work. He wrote, “Furthermore, I decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of the house of the perpetrator, who then shall be impaled on it. The house shall be made a dunghill:” (Ezra 6 11). There is something about the Marine in me that admires the determination of king Darius to see God’s work done without interference.

All said and done, God still works through the hearts of the people over us and around us believers, in order to help us. All we have to do is keep believing, keep loving, and remain determined in building God’s spiritual house, that spiritual house not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens.

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

Today we remember James Hanington and the Martyrs of Uganda, October 29, 1885) and their information may be found at: James Hannington & His Companions

Let us pray: (BCP p. 825)

O God, in the course of this busy life, give us times of refreshment and peace; and grant that we may so use our leisure to rebuild our bodies and renew our minds, that our spirits may be opened to the goodness of your creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 25: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 45; Evening, Psalms 47 and 48;
Ezra 5:1 to 17; Revelation 4:1 to 11; Matthew 13:1 to 9:

“Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with earslisten!” (Matthew 13: 8 and 9)

I think what we are supposed to listen to with our ears is that our hearts and minds should be like the good soil. I have never heard it preached this way, “We are to be the good dirt.”

We must notice that all the seed is the same and therefore good. What really matters is where it lands. These seeds are like the gifts of God and faith in God, given to us to bring forth a harvest pleasing to God.

But like the diverse terrain upon which some of the good seed falls, some of us are not conducive to making the most of God’s gifts to us. Some of us are too shallow and provide no foundation for our faith and gifts. Some of us are too occupied with worldliness to make good use of God’s gifts to us, which would actually make the world we are transfixed by a better place. Some of us misuse our gifts for personal gain thus let our gifts go as if taken away by the birds.

But some of us, too few of us, actually receive and make good use of God’s good gifts and so, make our world a better place for all who dwell therein. May we all strive to be this good dirt.

Today we remember Simon and Jude, Apostles (October 28, NT) and their information may be found at: St. Simon and St. Jude

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: A Prayer of Self-Dedication (BCP p. 833)

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to thee, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly thine, utterly dedicated unto thee; and then use us, we pray thee, as thou wilt, and always to thy glory and the welfare of thy people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, October 27, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 25: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 41 and 52; Evening, Psalm 44;
Zechariah 1:7 to 17; Revelation 1:4 to 20; Matthew 12:43 to 50:

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but it finds none. Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation:” (Matthew 12: 43 to 45).

Our Lord Jesus speaks of various evil spirits that will inhabit us should they find a vacancy in us. They can be driven out, but if we don’t work at finding worthwhile good spirits to make a home in us, the evil spirits will return and be even worse.

It seems we humans are made to be led by one kind of spirit or another. All spirits, or longings, make themselves manifest in us by the way we think, our attitudes towards others, and our charitable, or self –serving greed. We have a few choices.

The only choice we do not have is to stay void of any spirit at all. Every person I have ever met pushes towards some desire, the good or the bad. When I say good, I include everything from studying birds, or the universe, or medicine, or theology, or anything godly that keeps us occupied with learning that may help or inform others in a good way. When I say bad, it tends to be all practices that bring harm, hurt or death to our neighbor. The bad practices may include, but are not limited to, identity theft, the illicit sell of drugs, any desire of trying to take something that does not belong to us, and any harm we wish to have done to others, even in the name of so-called justice.

We need to monitor our emotions and desires. Are they good or bad? If accomplished, will the spirit of our desires bring others wholeness; or new helpful information; or a way to start their own search for goodness? We must “be” those we are in any kind of relationship with. Any notion in us that has us to not care about our neighbor is the manifestation of an evil spirit that is lurking around looking for a vacancy. We must fill our desires with ambitions that build up our neighbor and our Church. Good and positive spirits do not have to appear religious but will still have a charitable and loving outcome.

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

Let us pray: (BCP p. 355)

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, October 26, 2025

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 25: Year C

Luke 18:9 to 14:

“The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” (Luke 18: 11)

I think we all ought to thank God all the time. I believe in saying “Thank You Jesus” as often as I realize something good has just happened to me. I Thank Jesus that I have only two Commandments rather than the 613 from the Hebrew Testament, or even 10, as in the Ten Commandments. Two is much easier. To love God, and to love my neighbor, you.

Jesus’ two Commandments however require me to love God with all that I am and to love my neighbor as myself. One does not love neighbor as self, and then be thankful that he is not his neighbor. I ponder further that it is not so much that one is not his neighbor, but that he has, and continues to exercise, a pious discipline in his life, that his neighbor has so far, not learned.

This story like the one about Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38 – 42), makes us realize that we are both /and; and not either/or. So let’s look at each man and see the good in each.

The Tax collector of antiquity is a victim. He, in many cases, is a man of low standing in the community even before he’s made a tax collector. Often he is fatherless and handed over to the local Roman authorities for the purpose of collecting the tax. While it is not his choice, he is hated by his native Israelite brethren as a participant and collaborator with Rome against his own people.

The Pharisee, afforded opportunity beyond his own doing, lives a religious life, keeping the tithe, fasting, praying, and yes, paying the tax. We need people like the Pharisee still. We need people who pray, who set aside money to take care of the needy in charitable giving to the Church, and other charitable organizations as well as paying taxes. We should not look down on the discipline of the Pharisee. But we must be cautioned about his holier- than- thou attitude regarding his neighbor.

Both men teach two very important lessons. First, we should be thankful for what we are able to do in worship to God without looking down on those who either cannot, or have as yet not been able to reach a better level of discipline. And second, we all need to recognize our own short-comings and ask God for mercy and forgiveness. And this mercy is necessary somewhere for all of us. We are both of these two men at varying levels, certainly not either/or.

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

Let us pray: Proper 25 The Sunday closest to October 26 (BCP p. 235)

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; 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, October 25, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 24: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 30 and 32; Evening, Psalms 42 and 43;
Ezra 4:7 and 11 to 24; Philemon 1 to 25; Matthew 12:33 to 42:

“My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?” (Psalm 42:2)

While all the readings for today have good messages of sound ministry, sometimes I find that the words in a Psalm more readily resonate with me. Verse 2 of Psalm 42 speaks of how my soul longs for the Lord. My cloaked or veiled soul is struggling to be in the presence of God. But as my soul approaches the Holy Presence of God, it brings the rest of me with it. This makes me nervous.

My day to day life is not perfect. I sometimes do stupid stuff, stuff I regret. My life during this time is the daytime of my life. And at my passing, I will enter my nighttime. This understanding makes me ponder about verse 10 of Psalm 42: “The Lord grants his loving-kindness in the daytime; in the night season his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42: 8 or 10 Depending on Translation)

Most days I play and sing hymns to my God. These hymns go to bed with me every night. I keep this discipline as it feeds my soul. My soul that is athirst for God, athirst for the living God. I can often feel the heaviness of my soul. It might even cause a rise in my blood pressure. I too ask myself, “Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? and why are you so disquieted within me?” (Psalm 42: 14) May my soul, as it speaks to God, it also struggles to make me behave and live the most godly life I can.

So, as we try to listen to God, It might be good to listen to our souls as they try to bring us to God. After all, God has given us our souls as the God-spark which guides us along right pathways for His Namesake, (Psalm 23). My advice to all is to: “Put your trust in God; for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42: 15)

Today we remember Dorcas (Tabitha) of Joppa, Co- worker with the Apostles, (October 25 NT) and her information may be found at: Tsbitha (Dorcas) of Joppa

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, October 24, 2025

I’m back with my new laptop.

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 24: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 31; Evening, Psalm 35;
Ezra 3:1 to 13; 1^st Corinthians, 16:10 to 24; Matthew 12:22 to 32:

“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ‘For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever towards Israel.’ And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” (Ezra 3: 10 and 11)

This brick and mortar foundation reminds me of my spiritual foundation which was laid in me in my early elementary school years at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School. The Sisters there spoke of the steadfast love of God that endures forever. I remember liking and needing that very much.

The priests and the sisters dressed everyday in their vestments and in fact did station themselves at designated points throughout the school awaiting our arrival every day. This spiritual foundation would not be realized until I reached my late twenties. So while a spiritless edifice was built on top of my spiritual foundation, the spiritless edifice crumbled over time because of bad decisions, but the foundation held strong. It is of the utmost importance to have a strong spiritual foundation established at a young age.

It was not my parents that built my spiritual foundation, but rather the priests and sisters of St Vincent. I had some sad moments at this school as well; there was unfair treatment of me first, and then my sister later, as she caught up with me during my repeat of second grade. But the love of the sisters and the priests far over shadowed the cruelty of the one lay teacher who I found out later, didn’t care for my mother and made my sister and me her way of revenge.

At a point later in my life when my first marriage was failing, I asked a friend about seeing a priest. He told me that I could talk to his priest. I informed him that he was not catholic and therefore could not have a priest. He said, “follow me.” He took be to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church where I was eventually baptized. I did not know of priest outside of Roman Catholicism, and now, ironically, I am one. There is nothing more important than establishing a strong spiritual foundation in our children. Such as this happened to me and I am eternally thankful.

Today we remember Hiram Hisanori Kano, Priest, October 24, 1988) and his information may be found at: Hiram Hisanori Kano.

What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube

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

Let us pray: For the Care of Children (BCP p. 829)

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