jesus – Page 8 – onewhoponders

Pondering for Sunday, October 12, 2025

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for Sunday of Proper 23: Year C

“Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”” (Luke 17: 19)

This is an amazing healing story. But it is also an amazing salvation story.

We have lepers calling out while maintaining their distance so as not to contaminate others. This was the requirement in those days regarding self-regulating leper communities. But these sick people are well aware of who Jesus is. As they see him they call out from a distance, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

It seems leprosy does not discriminate. Like other human ills, Cancer, Ebola, HIV and AIDS, and COVID; leprosy is an equal opportunity inflictor. We don’t know how many of the ten were Samaritans but we do know that at least one was. Jesus makes sure we know that while that, that destroys persons does not discriminate; neither does the salvation of God discriminate. All are welcome into the Salvation of God.

Salvation is different from healing. According to Fred B. Craddock, writing for “Interpretation: A Bible Commentary”: Luke, he says, “We have, then, a story of ten being healed and one being saved.” If I had a choice and could only pick one, healing of an earthly illness, or, the being saved into eternal life, I would not consider it a choice at all. Give me that eternal salvation please.

The Samaritan went back to Jesus out of gratitude for an earthly cure. He got more than he bargained for. He got salvation. He showed gratitude. He showed thanksgiving. His gratitude meant a lot to Jesus.

Prayers should be like the top and bottom pieces of bread of a sandwich. That is, we pray for something like safety during an approaching storm. We come out on the other side intact. We should then go back to prayer in thanksgiving to God for answering our prayer requests. To not do so makes us one of the nine that Jesus asks about; “Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?” The sandwich metaphor works as it has us to remember and be thankful for what God has done for us. This is an attitude of gratitude. Let us not just forget God when all is safe again. Let us not take God for granted. We need to be just as earnest in our giving thanks as we were in our asking for help.

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 23 The Sunday closest to October 12, BCP p. 234)

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; 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, October 11, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 22: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 137:1-6, and Psalm 144; Evening, Psalm 104;
Jeremiah 35:1 to 19; 1^st Corinthians 12:27 to 13:3; Matthew 9:35 to 10:4:

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.” (1^st Corinthians 12:27 and 28)

Paul is not only talking to the Church in Corinth. He is talking to all who profess to be Christian. He says “We” are the body of Christ as the Christian Church. He goes on to say that some, not all, are appointed bishops, or prophets or pastors and teachers. We all bring to the Church certain God-given and needed gifts.

Some of us in the Church are doctors and teachers as well as trash collectors and grocery store clerks and all walks of community life. All are needed in order that a community might be sustained.

Some of us in the Church are pastors and teachers. This is a huge responsibility. It is the call of pastors and teachers to fortify the people in the pews to take the love of the Gospel out into the community. In our Matthew Gospel reading for today, Jesus is doing just that. He is sending out the twelve.

I was told long ago, that Church service begins at the dismissal. It is when the people in the pews are dismissed at the end of the service that they began the faithful work of carrying the Gospel of Christ out into the community, in deed and word, but I pray, mostly in deed. I think it was St Francis of Assisi who said in so many words, “go and preach the Gospel and when necessary, use words.” I like that. We should walk it before we talk it.

In our 1^st Corinthians reading for today we also hear Paul speak of leadership and language. I believe God will from time to time call any one of us to leadership. It does not matter about their physical appearance. They could be heavy of thin, or any shade of skin. They could be male, female, heterosexual, homosexual or non-sexual. God will call who God will call and then gift them with what is needed to help communities in need. I am reminded of another Church saying I heard long ago. God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the called. Yes, this even includes giving them the words needed to get God’s point across and for righteous teaching with love.

Today we remember Philip, Deacon and Evangelist (October 11 NT); and his information may be found at: Philip, Deacon and Evangelist.

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 10, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 22: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 140 and 142; Evening, Psalms 141 and 143:1-11;
2^nd Kings 23:36 to 24:17; 1^st Corinthians 12:12 to 26; Matthew 9:27 to 34:

“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, ‘Have mercy on us, Son of David!’ When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let it be done to you.’ And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, ‘See that no one knows of this:” (Matthew 9:27 to 30)

Can you imagine being blind? Can you imagine being blind and trying to follow someone? And can you imagine blind leading the blind? Nevertheless, they did, and were rewarded for their tenacity. But pay close attention to what happened.

Jesus asked them if they “believed” he (Jesus), was able to do this? They said yes. They had faith in Jesus. Jesus then touched their eyes and restored their sight while saying that in accordance with their faith, their sight is restored.

Here again our Lord Jesus works with what we have inside of us for our own benefit. With little or no faith, we cannot be healed or cured, unless of course the faith of others, and the desire for our health comes from someone who loves us and pleads with Jesus on our behalf. Our Lord Jesus will take what is good in us, or those who love us, and drive out of us that that is bad. Jesus connects faith with what we need. Thank You Lord Jesus.

I too am still stumbling along following my Lord Jesus and continually asking for more and more sight. Join me, won’t you? Thank You Lord Jesus. Thank you for love; thank you for rest; and thank you for more sight into what our lives are all about. I pray that our faith in your ability will increase in us, in order that You may touch us in ways that improve our ability to see the love of God, and help us to love our brothers and sisters, and all creation.

Today we remember Vida Dutton Scudder, Educator and Witness of for Peace (October 10, 1954); and her information may be found at: Vida Dutton Scudder.

“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: For Trust in God (BCP p. 461)

O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pondering for Thursday, October 9, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Thursday of Proper 22: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 131, 132, and133; Evening, Psalms 134 and 135;
2^nd Kings 23:4 to 25; 1^st Corinthians 12:1 to 11; Matthew 9:18 to 26:

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good;” (1^st Corinthians 12:4 to 7).

I do believe we are all given much needed gifts when we are conceived. They are given to us by the Spirit of God the Creator. These gifts lay dormant until brought to life by our faith and the Holy Spirit. It truly is magic. Our faith provides the path for the Holy Spirit to find our God given gifts.

We, of various communities, have a variety of needs. Therefore, God has ensured that each of us has those gifted qualities needed in the community we are in, or the community to which we are called to be in. God runs a balancing act within humanity for the good of humanity.

The needed formulas are planted in us before birth. As we are brought up in love and faith, we are brought to “full” life through the Holy Spirit. As Paul says, it is the same Spirit that activates all of us to be what God has planted in us for the benefit of those whom we share life with, our community. This is why it is so tragic when we lose anyone to untimely death. When a person dies, needed gifts are gone unused. This is very sad. This is also why we should treasure every person in our community. We need them. We need you.

Each one of us should spend time pondering about what our Godly gifts are and what our contribution is to our community or any community we might be called to. This is called discernment. We will, after discernment, discover what we are gifted for, and what our passions are, and what we are called to do. When we discover our gifted passion and perceive what our community’s needs are, we are well on our way. Where, and when, our passion, and a community’s need resolve for each other, God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

Today we remember Robert Grosseteste (a very gifted soul) Bishop of Lincoln (October 9, 1253); and his information may be found at: Robert Grossteste.

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

Let us pray:

Most loving and forever living Creator and Sustainer of all that is, You have brought us into being needing each other and placed in each of us what is necessary for our continued life together. Help us we pray, to discern what our gifts are and where our gifts satisfy the needs of those with whom we live. We ask this in Your trusted care. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of Proper 22: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 119:145 to 176; Evening, Psalms 128, 129 and 130;
2^nd Kings 22:14 to 23:3; 1 Corinthians 11:23 to 34; Matthew 9:9 to 17:

In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me:” (1^st Corinthians 11:25).

My blog post of two days ago, (Monday, 6 October), was all about the importance of the Bread and the Cup of Christ. I mentioned the references from our Book of Common Prayer. However the actual words for the consecration of bread and wine come from our 1^st Corinthians reading for today. I now revisit my point about the wine and how we, as Christians, are to receive it in the Name of Christ.

In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, Paul ensures that we understand the importance the cup, not only in the Church assembled, but also whenever, and wherever, we partake of it. Paul says this is what was handed on to him from the apostles, apostles who walked with our Lord Jesus. So this is not so much about Paul himself, but rather Peter, John and James and others. It is what our Lord Jesus asked us to do as the way of remembering him.

It seems however, we are a death centered people who prefer the cross as the way we want to remember our Lord Jesus. We also chose the fish, I guess because of the fisherman he told to follow him and that he would make them catchers of people. But our Lord himself asked to be remembered by the cup, and, individually, as often, as we drink it, in remembrance of him.

I know this is difficult for those of us who have problems with alcohol (and it was real wine). I personally believe our self-care should come first. However, I think wine during the time of Jesus was a regular dinner affair. I am not promoting the drinking of wine. I am simply bringing to our attention what I have pondered regarding what our Lord Jesus asked of us.

With the frequency of meals, not only Communion at Church gatherings, but meals in our homes and refreshments at other social events, our Lord Jesus has worked in a way for us to raise his Name. Who knows what impact such a witness might have in promoting the following of Jesus, and the catching of people? Again, I think a spoken, “Thank You Lord Jesus,” as we are about to partake of it will do nicely.

Today we remember William Dwight Porter Bliss, Priest, October 8, 1926 and Richard Theodore Ely, Economist, October 4, 1943; and their information may be found at: William Bliss & Richard Theodore Ely.

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. 834)

Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread [and in the Cup]; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Pondering for Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Tuesday of Proper 22: Year 1

Morning, Psalms 120, 121, 122 and 123; Evening, Psalms 124, 125, 126 and127;
2^nd Kings 22:1 to 13; 1^st Corinthians 11:2 and17-22; Matthew 9:1 to 8:

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left: (2^nd Kings 22:1 and 2).

Josiah had every reason and privilege to become a spoiled rotten brat, taking over the kingdom as a child, and yet he didn’t. Not all Old Testament kings did what was right in the sight of the Lord.

I especially like that when he was in the eighteenth year of his reign he let the Lord lead him into transparency with the people. He was open and forthright with the treasure of the kingdom. He trusted the blue collar workers of his day. He let them be in charge of what they were doing. He told them what to do without telling them how to do it. Concerning the money for the repair of the House of the Lord he said, “let it be given into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of the house of the Lord;” he said, “let them give it to the workers who are at the house of the Lord, repairing the house, that is, to the carpenters, to the builders, to the masons; and let them use it to buy timber and quarried stone to repair the house. But no account shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly:” (2^nd Kings 22:5 to 7). This was total honesty and trust in the workers.

Josiah walked straight up the middle. He did not turn aside to the right or to the left. I have visited hospitals to check on parishioners where different colored lines were drawn on the ceiling, or on the floor. This was valuable. After my initial contact with the receptionist, he or she would tell me which color to follow in order to reach the ward and patient I was visiting. Perhaps God left such a line for Josiah to follow, and he drifted neither to the right, or to the left, but stayed on course.

His obedience to God led him to the Book of the Law. Josiah, after hearing the words read to him, stopped everything in order to get back on track, or, should I say, the right color path of God was laid out for him to follow. How about you? Every now and then, we need to stop, look up, look down, and look all around. From this action I can proceed on, making sure that I am following the path God has laid out for me. I am John, son of Evelyn, I hope to do what is right in the sight of the Lord. What is your name? What is your mother’s name? Do you hope to do what is right in the sight of the Lord?

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 our God, we pray you cleanse the thoughts of our hearts and set before us clear paths that lead to actions that are pleasing in Your sight. Help us to do this Dear God as we cannot walk Your loving path without Your guiding markers before us. Amen.

Pondering for Monday, October 6, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Monday of Proper 22: Year C

Morning, Psalm 106:1-18; Evening, Psalm 106:19-48:
2 Kings 21:1-18; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1; Matthew 8:28-34

“Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1^st Corinthians 10:17)

The breaking of bread and the cup of wine shared, is the most significant part of our Sunday worship. Paul speaks of our sharing this meal as symbolic of our obedience to Christ who said for us to do this as often as we come together in His Name.

In my own personal study of bread as it was handed down to the Christian Church from the Hebrew tradition, albeit unleavened, bread was handed down even to the Hebrews from the Egyptians while they were in captivity. To make bread requires wheat farms and an oven for baking. Perhaps the Hebrews adopted the appetite for bread while in captivity. In any case, as we come together at the Altar to receive the Body of Christ we are one with Christ. Getting us to where we are through Egypt and the Hebrew tradition has been, and continues to be, God’s plan for us through Jesus Christ.

Who knew that captivity would lead to liturgy? God, of course. And we are still being formed. Maybe, just maybe, a little personal private time set aside as if in captivity, to just ponder, might open us to more of where God is leading us. This bread is food for thought.

Today Our Church remembers William Tyndale, Translator of the Bible (October 6 1536) and his information may be found at: William Tyndale & Miles Coverdale

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. 834)

Be present, be present, O Jesus, our great High Priest, as you were present with your disciples, and be known to us in the breaking of bread; who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Pondering for Sunday, October 5, 2025

The Gospel Eucharistic Reading for Sunday of Proper 22: Year C

Luke 17:5-10

“The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17: 6)

Is Jesus saying they had no faith, or that the faith they have is sufficient? I borrow heavy from Fred Craddock writing on Luke for Interpretation; a Bible Commentary.

“The Greek language has basically two types of “if” clauses; those which express a condition contrary to the fact (“if I were you”); and those which express a condition according to fact (“if Jesus is our Lord”). The conditional clause in verse 6 is of the second type; one could translate it “if you had faith (and you do).” Jesus’ response, then, is not a reprimand for an absence of faith but an affirmation of the faith they have and an invitation to live out the full possibilities of that faith. Even the small faith they already have cancels out words such as “impossible” (a tree being uprooted) and “absurdly” (planting a tree in the sea) and puts them in touch with the power of God. That Luke has a “sycamore tree” (a kind of mulberry) instead of a “mountain” as in Matthew and Mark, in no way alters the message: faith lays hold of God with whom nothing is impossible, and it is God who empowers the life of discipleship.” (Fred B. Craddock writing for Interpretation; A Bible Commentary: Luke: 1990 p. 200)

From this we learn that the apostles already have all the faith they need to do the work of ministry. And the work of ministry is a lifelong, and, an eternal state of being.

Again from Craddock, “There is no place or time, therefore, at which the apostle can say, “I have completed my service; now I want to be served.” If this parable was prompted by the remark of the apostles at verse 5, then two things can be said, First, the lesson is especially applicable to the leaders of the church who can easily forget that they are “servants of the servants of God.” “The request for an increase of faith (verse 5) must not seduce the apostles or any leader to assume that with the increase comes elevation in position so that the period of serving ends. Second, “Apostles and all leaders of the faithful come under the instructions for all disciples. In the field or in the house, a servant is a servant;” (also, Fred B. Craddock writing for Interpretation; A Bible Commentary: Luke: 1990 p. 200 and 201)

For me at least, this means that I should train myself to love serving to the point that it is my preferred state of being, in this life and in the next. I want to be the field hand, and later the house hand as well. I love cutting the grass as much as I love making coffee. This earth is the field, heaven is the house. I am honored to serve in both places. How about you?

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

Let us pray: The Sunday closest to October 5 (BCP p. 234)

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pondering for Saturday, October 4, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Saturday of Proper 21: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 107:33 to 43 and Psalm 108; Evening, Psalm 33;
2^nd Kings 19:21 to 36; 1^st Corinthians 10:1 to 13; Matthew 8:18 to 27:

“And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Matthew 8: 25 to 27).

I’d like to say that we are still saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And the only way we can be saved is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Drowning seems to be a fear of the ancient Hebrew peoples. We have the story of Noah and the Flood; we have the story of Moses and the parting of the sea; and many other water related near-death experiences that plague their minds. So we are saved through the waters of baptism. Jesus brings us back to our fears and then brings us through them to eternal life.

Jesus seems to infer that fear and faith occupy the same space in our hearts and minds. He asks, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ I know that Abraham was afraid during his lifetime but he never stopped believing in God. Therefore, at some level, fear accompanies our faith. It’s not either/or, it’s both/and. We just have to decide which one we are going to let lead us.

Jesus, when asked, comes to us and reduces the cause of our fears, the storm itself. Later, in this Gospel according to Matthew, Peter will personally struggle with faith and fear while trying to walk on the water. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, Jesus told them not to be afraid and that it was he, himself. ^“And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14: 29 to 31)

It is ironic that the very thing we need to sustain life, we fear. That that cleanses us, can drown us. Faith and fear, which road will we take? The same is true of our Lord Jesus with one big exception; there is nothing at all to fear about our Lord Jesus.

Today our Church remembers Saint Francis of Assisi (4 October 1226) a friar who embraced poverty as a way to be closer to our Lord Jesus. While many remember him, few strive to emulate him. His information may be found at: Francis of Assisi

Note: We have a new Archbishop of Canterbury: The Most Reverend Sarah Mullally; may she always follow our Lord Christ and lead our Communion to Him.

Let us pray: (The Collect for Saturdays BCP p. 99)

Pondering for Friday, October 3, 2025

Daily Office Readings for Friday of Proper 21: Year 1

Morning, Psalm 102; Evening, Psalm 107:1 to 32;
2^nd Kings 19:1 to 20; 1^st Corinthians 9:16 to 27; Matthew 8:1 to 17:

“When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.’ And the servant was healed in that hour;” (Matthew 8:10 to 13).

It seems that our Lord Jesus was the first to bring the Good News to the Gentiles. Jesus is amazed at the faith of the centurion. The centurion compares the power of Jesus who can order diseases and evil spirits to depart, to his own human power to order soldiers around. He does this through his faith in Jesus.

In this Gospel reading Jesus heals leper, the servant of the centurion, Peter’s mother-in-law and a host of others brought to him later that same day. It makes no difference to Jesus whether the people are Jews or Gentiles, or men or women. Our Lord Jesus only needs someone in the mix to have faith. It could be the person in need or someone petitioning on behalf of a person in need. Our Lord Jesus uses our faith to heal us and those we love, and later, to save us and, hopefully to turn around those we love so that they too might be saved and meet Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in all eternity.

As we approach the Sabbath tonight, ponder about the strength of your faith. Do you put your whole trust in the healing power of Christ Jesus? Do you do this for yourself as well as for the healing of those you love? Our Lord Jesus is still looking for our faith in order to heal us and save us. Rest, this evening and tomorrow, in the sure and certain knowledge that God in Christ Jesus loves you regardless of your ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, nationality, or language, or even your faith tradition. God just loves us no matter what. Jesus explains that our connection and response to God is through our faith in God’s call on our lives. I believe this call was made manifest in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Acknowledge God this Sabbath.

Today we remember John Mott, Evangelist and Ecumenical Pioneer (October 3, 1955) and his information may be found at: John Mott.

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:

Most Heavenly and Holy Healer, increase our trust in Your healing powers as was the centurion whom we read in our sacred text for today. Make us aware of our total dependence on Your life-giving Spirit to sustain us in this life and the next, You O Christ, through whom we live and move and love and have our being: Amen.