Wisdom

O Lord, whose care and love is constant, send down to me your pure wisdom, that I may always return to you to give thanks so that the world may see through my life your hand. AMEN.

-----

Mal 1:1,6-14; Ps 101, 109; James 3:13-4:12; Luke 17:11-19.

And yet....

"...yet will I rejoice in the Lord. I will exult in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength." (Hab 3:xviii)

In my tradition preachers in their sermons usually start by commenting on the lessons in the order they appear in the service: Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, Gospel. The Gospel's end today offends our sensibilities in today's world a little:

"So you also, when you have done all the you were ordered to do, say, "We are worthless slaves; we have only done what we ought to have done." (Luke 17:x)

If that's as far as we go, ignoring the rest of the Gospel message, then we've missed the point. I go back to the verse above from Habbakuk. "And yet" is a great way to start a prayer, for it says to me that despite all my failings and even despite all I have done right, I'm not putting the good and the bad on some grand scale trying to balance things out...or tip the scale in my favor. What I am ordered to do is give honor to the only one who deserves that honor: the God of my salvation and the source of my strength. AMEN.

Bedrock

Hab (i): I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint.

Ps 89(xiv): Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

James (xxiv): You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Juke (xxix): They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.

There is an ultimate bedrock on which we can stand and depend. We need not look any further, but only look at what we have and listen to the eternally echoing words.

-----

Proper 28 Year B

Hab. 2:1-4, 9-20; Ps 89: 1-18/19-52; James 2:14-26; Luke 16:19-31.

Good Work

O Lord, we acknowledge that true gifts come only from you and without you we will fail. Grant that our undertakings may be from you, with you, and in you, so we may enable you to shine forth in this world. AMEN.

----
daily office year 2:
Jds 13: 1-15; Ps 97,99/94; Acts 5:27-42; John 3:22-36.

Mondays are Tough

Mondays are tough. I find myself Sunday evening into Monday morning trying to psyche myself up to get mentally ready for the week. Sunday I attended a worship service, made a home visit to some shut-in parishioners, cooked and served a simple evening meal at a homeless shelter, and bought some coffee and sandwiches for and spent some time with a couple of homeless people living out in the woods. Lingering in my mind, though, is the dread, no other way to describe it, of immersing myself back into the dog-eat-dog daily routine of work and all the attendant frustration and disagreeable encounters that it sometimes brings.

I am amazed at what happens to me from the “high” of a spiritual Sunday to the “low” (and dread) on Monday. It just doesn’t carry through sometimes, though I know it should and I should be open to allowing that to happen.

So, with apologies to the author of the collect for Proper 14….

Gracious God, grant us the spirit to think and to do those things which are right so that we may be enabled to live according to your will, both on Sunday and on Monday. AMEN.

-----

Daily office year two:

Jds 12:1-7; Ps 89:1-18/19-52; Acts 5:12-26; John 3:1-21

Not Alone

Help me to remember that I do not live alone and that I do not die alone. As I live, be there to guide me so that I may graciously regard others. And as I die, fold me in your arms and carry me to eternal peace. Amen.

----
Daily office year two:
Jos 8:1-22; Ps 45 / 47,48; Rom 14:1-12; Matt:26:47-56

A Prayer for the Opportune Time

(based on the lectionary reading today from Romans)

Help me to be ready to serve the opportune time: let my love be genuine, let me hold to that which is good; let me not lack in enthusiasm to care. Help me to celebrate hope and be patient in suffering. Guide me to persevere in prayer, contribute to those who do good work for others, and always welcome a stranger. Help me to be ready to serve the opportune time. Amen.

----

Daily office year two:

Jos 4:19-5:1, 10-15; Ps 31/35; Rom 12:9-21; Matt 26:17-25.

A Pile of Rocks

A pile of smooth stones which came

from the river -

A woman's single act of extreme

extravagance -

The meaning unknown or forgotten

or perhaps foolish and too simple...

or not reasonable...

At the time when we piled up rocks,

it was meaningful;

we even remembered which rock was ours

in the pile.

The woman knew in her heart

the good service she gave

when she poured oil on the poor, but good, man,

giving him a moment of comfort.

He was not just a good poor man

and that was not just a pile of rocks.

-----

Daily office year two:

Jos 3:14-4:7; Ps 37:1-18 / 19-42; Rom 12:1-8; Matt 26:1-16

New Journey

Gracious God, help me to follow you so that I may know the way I should go, for I have not passed this way before. It is for you, O Lord, that I wait. It is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. For from you and through you and to you are all things. To you, God, be the glory forever. Amen.

-----

Daily Office Year Two:

Jos 3:1-13; PS 38 / 119:25-48; Rom 11:25-36; Matt 25:31-46

Grace and Guidance

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of those who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and may also have the grace and power to accomplish them. AMEN. [collect Proper 10]

-----
Daily Office Year Two:
Jos 2:15-24; Ps. 26, 28 / 36, 39; Rom 11:11-24; Matt 25:14-30

Loneliness and Light

Healing and protecting God, you are Lord of heaven above and earth below; turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and bring me out of my distress. Mercifully relieve my affliction and forgive all my sins, so that I may shake off the clouds of this world from my eyes and my heart and enter into your world of light. Amen.

-----
Daily office year two:
Jos 2:1-14; Ps 25 / 9, 15; Rom 11:1-12; Matt 25:1-13

The Word is Near You

It is the Lord who goes before you;

He will not fail or foresake you.

Those who choose another god

multiply their sorrows.

But the Word is near you,

on your lips and in your heart.

-----

Daily office year two:

Deut 31:7-15, 24-32:4; Ps 16, 17 / 22; Rom 10:1-13; Matt 24: 15-31

The Long Distance Runner

Help us not to fear, for it is God who fights beside us.
The Lord is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer,
Our God, our rock in whom we take our refuge,
Our shield and the source of our salvation,
Our stronghold.

We who were not God's people, God will call his people,
And those of us who were unbeloved, God will call his beloved.
In the same place where we were told "you are not God's people,"
We are now called the children of God.

We ask for endurance to the end, for we know we will be saved.
And this is the good news for all the world,
Until the end comes.



-----
Daily office year two:
Deut 3:18-28; Ps 18:1-20 / 18:21-50; Rom 9:19-33; Matt 24:1-14

The Hollowness Within

Almighty and gracious God, I know that your mercy is not earned by my will but yours, forgive me when my own hollowness makes me quick to condemn. Make me open to be filled with your true grace, that I may be devoted to you with my whole heart and united with your people in true affection. AMEN.

----

Daily office year two:

Deut 1:1-18; Ps 119:1-24 / 12, 13, 14; Rom 9:1-18; Matt 23:27-39

Trust and Hope

Gracious God, help me to do with my hands what is in my heart. Help me to lose the doubt which keeps me from doing and go bravely forward, trusting that nothing in creation will be able to separate me from your love. AMEN.

---
Daily office year two:
Num 35:1-3,9-15,30-34; Ps 5,6 / 10,11; Rom 8:31-39; Matt. 23:13-26.

The Rest is Commentary

The Talmud tells of a gentile coming to Rabbi Shammai, saying that he would convert to Judaism if Shammai could teach him the whole Torah while standing on one foot: Shammai chased him away!

Rabbi Hillel, however, converted the gentile telling him: "What is hateful to you do not do to your neighbor; that is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary; go and learn it."

Ancient writings writings are full of "The Golden Rule," yet is was a surprise to the Pharisees when Jesus responded in kind to their questioning. How often today do people struggle to find their moral compass? Jokingly, it is said that people go to their business website to see what the current guiding principles are! I think those principles have been around for a long time, and they haven't changed much!

=================

Daily office year two:

Num. 24:12-25; Ps. 137:1-7, 144 / 104; Rom 8:18-25; Matt. 22:23-40.

Surrounded by Friends

Meditation: Help me, O Lord, to not worry so much about the uncertainties of this life, for I am surrounded by your faithful. Amen.

------------------------

Daily office year two:

Num 22;41-23:12; Ps. 119:145-176 / 128, 129, 130; Rom 7:13-25; Matt 21:33-46

Sunrise Over the Mountains

Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease,
and the contempt of the proud.

The Lord will keep our going out and our coming in,
from this time on and forever more.

[from Ps 121 and 123]

-----------
Daily Office Year Two:
Num 22:21-38; Ps. 121,122,123 / 124,125,126; Rom 7:1-2; Matt 21:23-32.

The Workers in the Vineyard

Meditation: Lord, may I serve you and my neighbor with a glad and generous heart, not concerned with what I get but with what I give. Amen.

Daily office year two:

Num. 16: 36-50; Ps. 109:1-30/119:121-144; Rom. 4:13-25; Matt. 20:1-16

Quiet

Sometimes just the quiet time feeds us the most. We read a few words, lay the book down, and let our minds go. Sometimes it's just enough to let in, to try and absorb, rather than try to make sense out of something. I have been in close proximity to serious illness, impending death, and death and grieving among friends and family for three months now. This is a sacred time for me and the others who are with me at this time. I need quiet, not noise, not rationalization.

After reading the daily office today I have no words. I would like to share this prayer from the Anglican tradition:

Grant, we beseech the, Almighty God, that the words which we have heard this day with our outward ears, may, through thy grace, be so grafterd inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of good living, to the honor and praise of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

------------------

Daily office year two:

Num. 16:20-25; Ps. 97, 99 / 94; Rom 4:1-12; Matt. 19:23-30

Encumberance

This image is from a website called barrierpeaksrpg.worldpress.com. and the page I read was talking about virtual reality games (computer games) and how the equipment, weapons, etc. of the character you chose affected how the virtual character was able to play the game.

There's a lot in today's lectionary about baggage, or what encumbers us. To the Levites in Numbers at this point in their journey, envy and jealousy were encumbering them. We see the phrase "is it too little for you ..." a couple of times in the reading. Apparently, attending to the priests and the holy tent wasn't enough...and nor was escaping from Eqypt, being fed and protected along the way, etc. etc. Paul in Romans is still arguing about how the "law" is encumbering the Jews, preventing them from seeing the larger picture: what is important is apart - and above - the "law" as the Jews are focused on it.

Then comes Jesus' two-part injunction in Matthew (NRSV translation):

(19-14) let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of heaven belongs....

(19:21) If you with to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.

Fast forward to the "Gamma explorers" in the picture visting this planet. They find the remnants of a long-gone society. I wonder how they interpret what they find: is all this stuff what made the absent culture strong or what ultimately ruined them?

-------------
Daily office year two:
Num. 16:1-19; Ps. 89:2-18 / 19-52; Rom 3:21-31; Matt. 19:13-22

The Work of Our Hands

I like to post a picture or image of something that has touched me in the daily lectionary. Today I googled "working hands" and found this picture (it's from jeannetteb1.wordpress.com). I have NOT read multiple English translations of the lectionary recently - shame on me - so this was an interesting and fortuitous googling.

I was captured by Ps. 90:17 because I am slowly but surely working on a commissioning ceremony for our priest that we can use for the group of cooks we formed to work each Sunday at a local soup kitchen.

Here's the New King James (NKJ) version:

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us.
Yes, establish the work of our hands for us.

Here's the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) which I use all the time:

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
And prosper for us the work of our hands --
O prosper the work of our hands!


A subtle - or maybe not so subtle - difference hits me. In the NKJ version I feel I'm sitting around waiting for something to do, and God provides me the right thing to pursue. In the NRSV I'm out there working away, but realize that I should turn to God for guidance to do the right thing and then bless that work. In the first I am passive and in the latter I'm active.

There's a theme running through the lectionary today for me of following the law vs. following the Spirit of the law. It comes out very strongly in Romans where Paul continues to speak to the Jews about their relationship over time with the law vs. the gentiles who are not under the same law. He is trying to reconcile the two situations to his audience in Rome. I see this theme picked up again in Matthew where, once again, the Pharisees are testing Jesus' knowledge of the law. Even though, the Pharisees say, the Law prohibits divorce, Moses let them do it. "How come?" Jesus response is sharp and to the point: "It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce. But in the beginning it was not so."

So that's the backdrop for the prayer I composed today:

Most Merciful, your gifts, guidance, and pardon have accompanied us through our days, and all our sources of life spring from you; let your favor be upon our works, so that we may faithfully follow the Spirit of your Word and Commandment, to the furthering of your Will and not ours. Amen.

----------------
Daily office year two:
Num 13:31-14:25; Ps. 87/90, 136; Rom. 3:9-20; Matt. 19:1-12

A Forgiving Spirit

O Lord, our supreme heavenly Father, grant me the grace to forgive those who I perceive have wronged me. I am weary of crying out into the dark in the night and waking to find you distant from me. Help me absorb and listen to your forgiving Spirit with the same hope and trust as your people who entered the land of Canaan, despite their fears. Strengthen my faith to trust in your presence. You know my heart, O Lord. Amen.

---------------

Daily office year two:

Num. 13:1-3, 21-30; Psalms 88/91,92; Rom. 2: 25-3:8; Matt. 18: 21-35

Gathering Together

Our Shephard who cared for the one who went away, we ask this day that you heal all those who are brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit, and this we ask gathering together in your name. AMEN.

-----------------

Daily office year two:

Num. 12:1-16; Ps. 34 / 85,86; Rom 2: 12-24; Matt. 18:10-20

Become Like Children

Lord, you gave your precepts to your chosen people to guide them in their time of trial and put the spirit of prophesy on them when they strayed, keep me mindful of your will so that I may not be self-seeking but kingdom seeking. Help me to become like a child in my faith and welcome other children who come to you in your name. Amen.

------------------

Daily office year two:

Num. 11:24-35; Ps. 119:97-12 and 81,82; Rom. 1:28-2:11; Matt: 18:1-9

Forgiveness

O God, my Creator, you forgave your unruly people as they travelled from Egypt to the promised land, look with compassion on me now. Relieve me of my distractions that I may draw closer to you, so that I may more faithfully honor you and companion my fellow man. I ask this through Jesus Christ, whom you sent to guide and teach us. Amen.

-----------

Daily office year two:

Num. 11:1023; Ps. 78:1-39; Rom 1:16-25; Matt. 17:22-27

Doubt and Incredulity

Peter, James, and John witnessed the amazing vision on the mountain: Jesus, Moses, Elijah. Seeing is believing? How can we believe sometimes even what we see? We are often exposed to the unbelievable right in front of us. Our limitations and unpreparedness can render us helpless in situations like these. Sometimes it takes time and thoughtful reflection to make sense out of the unbelievable.

Meditation: "Lord, draw me near to you and your glory. May I never doubt your saving help. Amen."

=============
Daily office year two:
Num. 3:1-13; Ps. 75,76; Gal 6:11-18; Matt. 7:1-13

Sunrise

"Send out your bread upon the waters...Light is sweet and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun." (Eccles. 11:1, 7)

Seeing the sun is a complex process of many gifts of grace working together: eyes that can see, a sun that brings light and warmth, the surrounding sights and smells of the moment. This short passage from Ecclesiastes today invites us to act, not to ponder, not to weigh the options or probabilities of success, but to live in the moment and give of what we have. We don't know if our impromptu gifts will be taken and used or just sink to the bottom. But it is better to use the time and gifts we have than to save them for later. The "seeker" in Ecclestiastes reminds us our days are numbered.

===============

Daily office year two:

Eccles 11:1-8; Ps. 71; Gal. 5:16-24; Matt. 16:13-20

He has pity...

For he delivers the needy when they call,
The poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy
And saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
And percious is thier blood in his sight.

Ps: 72:12-14

(Image found on chorleoni.org)

---------------------
Daily office year two:
Eccles. 9:11-18; Ps. 72; Gal. 5:1-15; Matt. 16:1-12

Working Hands

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might..." (Eccles. 9:10) From this simple statement in the Old Testament reading today, jump to the lakeside with Jesus and his disciples in Matthew 15. Here, after teaching the crowds, Jesus says: "I have compassion for the crowd because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint along the way....How many loaves do you have?" "Seven, and a few small fish."

A little bread and a few fish don't seem like much, but they are what's available and there are a lot of hungry people to feed. By this time the disciples probably know better than to say, "Hold on one minute, Lord. This isn't going to work. We probably should have planned this out BEFOREHAND so we wouldn't be in this situation." At this point a good round of blame-assessing would be in order (does this sound familiar?).

That's not what Jesus expected and that's what the "seeker" in Ecclesiastes has concluded either. If you make big elaborate plans, maybe they work out, maybe they don't. The simple approach is to just look in front of you, use what you have, and make the most of it.

Meditation: "God, we cannot know how something will come out. We do not have certainty in the plans for our days. Forgive our mistakes and false starts to make your will a reality. Stengthen us to continue forward, however, with the hope that when we find the right path and the right work, you will be with us helping to see it through. Amen."

==================

Daily office year two:

Eccles. 8:14-9:10; Ps. 61, 62; Gal. 4:21-31; Matt. 15:29-39

"A Double Palm Day"

"A double palm day": I saw this photo at http:///churchbytes.me/churchbytes/tag/bad-day.

Meditation:
In the day of prosperity be joyful,
and in the day of adversity be thoughtful,
For daily we lie with lions,
and walk in partial dark and partial light,
towards death.
Along this path welcome others
as you have been welcomed,
despite your failings.
Let this be done, according to your faith.
Amen.

-----------------
Daily office year two:
Eccles. 7:1-14; Ps. 56, 57; Gal. 4-12-20; Matt. 15:21-18

Enjoy, But Don't Be Greedy

We are familiar with the theme of "vanity" in Ecclesiastes. Vanity to the modern West usually has connotations of appearances, especially physical, and how the pursuit of appearances either works, but only for awhile, or is completely futile altogether. The bottom line message seems to be, if everything is worthless and not worth pursuing anyway, so why bother at all?

But trickled into today's reading, that's not the message we find if we look closely and think about what the "seeker" is saying: "...it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of life God gives us..." So in the midst of the pessimism that can bog us down everyday (and certainly what we get pasted with in Ecclesiates!) we are gently urged to take stock of what we have and use it, without concluding that we don't have much! The only thing we don't have much of is time.

Meditation: "Most generous God, give us to patience to embrace the blessings we have with contented hearts, and make the most of them to our benefit, the benefit of others, and always giving thanks to you. Amen."

Daily office year two:
Psalm 55; Eccles. 5:8-20; Ga. 3:23-4:11; Matt. 15:1-20

Against All Odds

The photo "Against All Odds" seen here was taken by Paul Sedelnick Paul lives in what's known as the Northest Kingdom in Vermont, not too far from where I live...except about 2 climate zones north! I didn't see this flower for myself, but I can imagine it, having driven over many roads "up north" like the one in this picture. That part of the US is pretty amazing. Here you can see green in background, a far cry from the below zero temps and snow during the winter! That kind of extreme weather takes it toll, and you can see the little cracks opening up along this road. (check out the website woodenhorsearts.com and Paul's page ..../sedelnick)

However, you interpret the lectionary from Matthew today (Jesus walking across the water to meet his disciples during a storm), you can't miss the stiking images, darkness then the eerie light of morning, wind, maybe lightening, uncertainty, the shocking vision of someone (a ghost!) walking across a lake. Prior to this story in Matthew, Jesus had just taught thousands of people and fed them with five loaves of bread and two fish before sending them home.

Today this story comes across to me from the disciples' perspective. What a roller-coaster ride! They just heard a man among them preach with amazing power, and then see a miracle performed with the feeding of thousands. With their bodies and souls fed, the disciples were told to get into the boat and head out across the lake, on their own without their Lord alongside them.

A featured character is Peter. Here we see his impulsiveness and (sound familiar?) approach of "ready - fire - aim!" Repeatedly Jesus taught of the cost of following his teachings. In this story we are reminded through Peter of our humanness, impulsiveness, and emotions which have caused all of us to fail at some time. However, this story reminds us that in times of doubt or calamity we should turn to God in faith and hope that we are cared for and watched after...like in this picture of a flower sprouting up in the crack between the asphalt and the granite curbing.

Mediation: "Lord, help me to trust you always and never doubt your presence power to help me. In moments of doubt and weakness help me to cling to you as Peter did. Strengthen my faith so that I may walk the path you have set out for me, neither veering off to the right or left. Amen."

[you can find additional commentary on today's reading from Matthew, please see www.rc.net/wcc/readings/]

---------------
Daily lectionary year two:
Eccles. 5:1-7; Psalms 40, 54; Gal. 3:15-22; Matt. 14:22-36

Blandina and Her Companions

Blandina, and others, were arrested and tortured in an attempt to extract false statements about the early Christians in Rome during the time of Marcus Aurelius. Blandina exhibited uncommon strength and faith, amazing even her torturers. Finally in exasperation she was bound in a net and tossed to the bulls in the arena to provide public entertainment.

Eusebius said of Blandina and her companions: "They offered up to the Father a single wreath, but it was woven of diverse colors and flowers of all kinds. It was fitting that the noble athletes should endure a varied conflict, and win a great victory, that they might be entitled in the end to receive the crown supreme of life everlasting"

A prayer for this day commemorating Blandina and the Matyrs of Lyons:
"Grant, O Lord, that we who keep the feast of the holy martyrs Blandina and her companions may be rooted and grounded in love of you, and may endure the sufferings of this life for the glory that shall be revealed in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one Go, now and forever. Amen"

-------------


Daily office year two:

The Martyrs of Lyons - Jer. 12:1-3a; Psalm 34:1-8; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Mark 8:34-38



Eccles. 3:1-15; Psalm 119:49-72; Gal. 2:11-21; Matt. 14:1-12

Justin, Martyr at Rome, c. 167

In the middle of the second centry a young Christian community was visited by a seeker for the truth. Justin was born into a Greek-speaking pagan family in Samaria, and was educated in Greek philosophy. Like many others with similar training in philosophy in those days, his mind remained restless by the knowledge and philosophical processes he was exposed to.

"Almighty and everlasting God, you found your martyr Justin wandering from teacher to teacher, seeking the true God, and you revealed to him the sublime wisdom of your eternal Word: Grant that all who seek you, or a deeper knowledge of you, may find and be found by you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

Daily office year two:

1Cor. 1:18-25; Psalm 16:5-11; John 12:44-50

Memorial Day

Almighty God, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy, and especially for those who gave their lives. Grant to those whose whom we honor today the light of your grace and the comfort of your spirit, making us all ever mindful of those who have paid an enormous price for us who live today. And in that same spirit help us to use the gifts we now enjoy for the benefit of our fellow humans, brothers and sisters, and to the honor of your name. Amen.

The Advocate Will Come

"The LORD created me at the beginning of his work,

the first of his acts long ago.

Ages ago, I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

...then I was beside him, like a master worker,

and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

rejoincing in his inhabited word, and delighting in the human race.

And now, my children, listen to me:

happy are those who keep my ways."

(Prov. 22-23, 30-32)

"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and delare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare to to you." (John 16:12-15)

Meditation: What would you give to know the truth? Truth is not something we create of is our discovery: it is the gift of God. The truth can be frightening, usually because it is out of our control. We're all familiar with the saying "the truth will set you free (John 8:32)," but sometimes the truth is part of that great unknown. What we don't know usually does hurt us. In this mysterious etheral passage from John, we are urged to faith, faith that our Advocate will come (John 16:7). (see also http://www.rc.net/wcc/reading/john1612.htm)

-------------------

Trinity Sunday:

Prov. 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15

The First Fruits of Summer

If you live in a climate a little more moderate than New England, you might actually see something like this in your own garden! My tomato plants are still seedlings just put outdoors and are about 1-2 " tall!

Today I am meeting a group of "volunteers from the street" to build a small herb garden for a local soup kitchen, and agriculture (and this weeks parabales) are full in my mind. I can't leave the week of Pentacost without reflecting again on the origins of this festival as a celebration of the first fruits of the seasons. Here is a prayer I found, author unknown, from the middle ages for the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot - Pentacost), with a link below it.

I will always remember the wonderful deeds of the Lord
When Israel was in Sinai,
When Moses led the people out of Eqypt into freedom.
They stood purified at the foot of the mountain
To receive your Law, your holy Law; which they swore to obey forever.
And Israel was a holy nation among nations
A holy thing and precious to the Lord.

High on the mountain, your voice was heard, o Lord,
Revealling many things
And then the blind saw your light and the deaf heard your words,
While those who could not speak opened their mouths to recount your grace.

And then, o Lord, you revealled yourself
To those who had sought you, and you said:
I am your rock, the shield and your defense, the one and only God.

You appeared in majesty, glory and splendor,
To deliver your commandments,
And young and old alike were surrounded by the same glory
That surrounds you
And still today in my heart and soul and in my every thought
I profess the wonders that you, o Lord, perform.
(http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/shavuot.htm)


-------------------
Daily office year two:
Prov. 25:15-28; Psalms 30, 32, 1 Tim. 6:6-21; Matt. 13:36-43

How Big is a Mustard Seed?

Matt: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches....Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. This was to fulfill what had been told by the prophet [Isaiah]: 'I will open my mouth to speak in parables; I will proclaim what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.' "

Meditation (good discussions at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings/parables.html/): God's kingdom starts as the smallest spec in our hearts if we are receptive to God's grace. Grace works unseen and transforms from the inside-out. Sooner or later, if allowed to grow and if we nurture it, God's grace becomes a blessing for others through us. "Let me always be open to grace, and when received, be nurturing. Amen."

----------

Daily office year two:

Prov. 23:19-21, 29-35, 24:1-2; Psalm 31; 1Tim 5:17-22; Matt. 13:31-25

The Parable of the Weeds

The parable in Matthew continues along an agricultural theme in Matthew which would have been very familiar to the people listening. This parable actually reverberates with pieces in the other readings for today, especially with a couple of verses in Proverbs and Psalm 37: good and bad coexist, it is hard to separate them, but there will be a final reckoning. Jesus urges us to trust that there will be a reckoning where the crops and weeds are sorted out and reminds us (again) that there, in fact, will be a reckoning.

Many of us garden. This year in Connecticut has been a tough year for an amateur like me. Yesterday the thermometer hit a record high of 97 (in May!). I remember saying out loud about a week ago that I wasn't going to plant because of the cold and wet! I did however, go out an pull up the inevitable weeds from the places where I intended to put plants. I do this every year with the sure knowledge that even after I put in the vegetables and flowers I want, the weeds will creep back in. It's just a part of nature.

I think this parable is helping me to understand that my life is not going to be perfect. Even though I want to be among the good plants, I will be surrounded by weeds, so I have to trust that things will take their course.

Food for thought (paraphrased from bible.logos.com): God is allowing the fullness of time to play out so that many people can have the opportunity to take part in God's grace and blessings. It is hard for us to understand how a good and gracious God can allow evil to exist and even appear to prosper. To destroy evil now would prevent some from having the opportunity to prosper under God's blessings. "Lord, may your word take deep root in my heart, that I may bear good fruit. May I hunger for your blessings now, so that I can trust in the reckoning to come. Amen." (see rcnet.com)

---------------------
Daily office year two:
Prov. 2:30-22.6; Psalm 37:1-18; 1 Tim. 4:1-16; Matt. 13:24-30.

The Return of the Evil Spirit

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew has two parts: "the return of the evil spirit" and "the true kindred of Jesus." Both of these puzzle me, but having them together in one sitting puzzles me futher!

Here's "the return of the evil spirit" in Matt.:

"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 the house from where I came." When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits all more evil than itself, and they enter, and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first; so it will be with this evil generation."

Put into context, this whole chapter of Matthew emphasizes the the increasing conflict between Jesus and the local authorities, here the Pharisees with their strict adherence and interpretation of the law. In verses previous Jesus has been asked to show a sign, or some outward proof of his authority. We know that the Gospel of Matthew is noted for Jesus doing just the opposite, that is, not using miracles to prove who his is but rather for healing those in need.

Had the Pharisees really been listening, they should have been really scared: after all, they devoted their lives to strict living by rules and constant "house cleaning." Here Jesus is telling them that evil loves a clean house! But I think Jesus was saying that perhaps they were overzealous in trying to clean other people's houses and ignored what was happening to their own personal souls. Just because the Pharisees cleaned cleaned house once, didn't mean it won't get dirty again! And being "empty" didn't mean that the Pharisees were not vulnerable.

Here's food for thought (paraphrsed from resources at http://www.rc.net/): God wants to fill the void in our lives with himself and the good things he provides for our well-being. If we attempt to leave our lives vacant or fill them with other things, we will be worse off in the end. The parables in this reading make it clear that there are only two options - fill your life with God or leave yourself open to evil. A simple prayer for today: "God, be the ruler of my life and the master of my home. May there be nothing in my life that is not under your care and resulting from your grace. Amen."

-------------------
Daily office year two:
Psalm 38; Proverbs 17:1-20; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Matt. 12:43-50

A Simple Meal

Better is a dinner where love is, than a fatted ox with hatred in it. Prov. 15:17.

This picture reminded me of a passage in a book I'm reading called Souls in the Hands of a Tender God (Craig Rennebohm) in which he tells many stories of care for people in most need of it. The key word is "companionship" which comes from the Latin cum panis...with bread. "Sharing even the most humble meal," says Rennebohm (p.72), "can be a sacred act. In all known cultures, enjoying food and refreshment is an expression of kindness and friendship, a sign of grace and true welcome."

---------------------
Daily office year two:
Psalm 26; Prov. 15:16-33; I Tim. 1:18-2:8; Matt. 12:33-42

Tuesday, January 25, 2010

Lately I have been very puzzled and troubled by how I see myself and others acting within my faith community. To me we are far too inwardly focused, and, being so self-absorbed, miss the opportunity to focus our energies outward. One recent thought I had while sitting in church on Sunday was "The church is out there, not in here."

In the Old Testament section of today's lectionary Abram enters into a covenant with God, not knowing or understanding what the implications will be, though God promises protection, reward, and an heir - very important to Abram! God brought Abram outside and said "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them."

Abram couldn't count them...and neither can we. But we can get a sense of the magnitude of living a life of faith, outwardly focused, faithfully believing that we are and will be cared for.

The contemporary collect for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany reads:

"Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."

Yes we are part of a whole world and should not let our personal fears overtake us, but become part of the larger community under God. Whatever that call is, I believe it is to look outward. And my prayer for myself today is that I will listen closely.

Daily Office Year Two
Gen. 15:1-11, 17-22; Ps. 45; Heb. 9:1-14; John 5:1-18

January 18, 2010

As long as the earth endures,
Seed time and harvest, cold and heat,
Summer and winter, day and right,
Shall not cease.
(Gen. 8:22)

The portion of Genesis in the daily lectionary today tells of the end of the flood and Noah's offerings of thanks to God for delivery and giving the earth a second chance. Despite God's acknowledgment of the innate nature of people to NOT always do the right thing, God gives the promise to restore the cycle of life in the verse above.

The cycle of life in Noah's time revolved around agriculture. Today I wonder what our cycle of life is. Early this morning walking my dog in the cold sleet and blowing wind, the picture that came to my mind was business people in suits driving to work and parking in covered parking lots. If you're an executive, those lots are highly secured! So even if, like today, it's pouring mushy sleet and pretty hard to walk at a normal rate outside, many people go on as if this day is no different from any other.

What are we protecting ourselves from? Being the stubborn person I can sometimes be (just ask my wife), I park outside at work, so I can feel the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter. There is something deep and fundamental in my nature that wants to know that outside everyday is not the same, despite the heating and air conditioning systems cranking away where I work. I often look out the window (I have to get up from my cubical to find one) to see what's happening out there! Will I have to scrape ice off my windshield when I leave for home? Will there be a foot or more of snow to sweep away? I find connectedness in parking outside so I have to spend at least a few minutes each day encountering the natural and greater world and great creator.

Daily Office Year Two
Gen. 8:6-22; Ps. 25; Heb. 4:14-5:6; John 2:23-3:15

January 15, 2010

Psalms 16 and 17 both have allusions to what happens when we are asleep. To me that means dreams.

Ps. 16:7b - in the night also my heart instructs me.
Ps. 17:15b - when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

I never paid a lot of attention to my dreams until I began taking pastoral care and counseling courses a couple of years ago. The focus of those first classes was decidedly Jungian. After discussions with the teachers and classmates, I began to pay more attention to my dreams and learn what others with similar interests had to say about dreams.

The two Psalm "clips" above are definitely taken out of the whole message and purpose of the psalms, but they tell of a truth. If we believe we are made in the image of God and have God's stamp on and in us, then it is not a big leap to believe that when we dream, there is apart of us which belongs to God and has a close affinity to God that is reverberating, causing our dream images.

I refer people to John A. Sanford's book Dreams: God's Forgotten Language. Here are some thoughts from his "Introduction":

"This book is about dreams and religion and in particular about the relevance of the dream to the Christian experience. It is not a textbook on dream analysis.... Nor is this a textbook in psychology; though much Jungian psychology is discussed....[This book is intended] to give a feeling and insight into the religious function of the dreams that are dreamed every night."

This spiritual approach to dreams affirms that our dreams are not only interesting, but they have something to tell us and are worth listening to. Quite often we push important pieces of ourselves out of the way because they interest with our, say, getting ahead in our careers, or wanting to maintain a strong outward appearance. Sooner or later, what we deny in ourselves comes out in unexpected ways, and dreams can have something specific to tell us about that process.

John Sanford is a Jungian analyst and Episcopal priest, and is the author of many books including The Kingdom Within and Between People, both good reads.

Daily Office Year Two
Gen 6:1-8; Ps 16, 17; Heb 3:12-19; John 2:1-12

January 14, 2010

Psalm 18 has this wonderful, personal prayer in vs 2:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.

... a good personal devotion to memorize.

Daily Office Year Two
Gen 4:17-26; Ps 18:1-10; Heb 3:1-22; John 1:43-51

January 11, 2010

I got hung up in Genesis. This portion of the lectionary reminded me of an Old Testament survey course I had taken which opened up the door of exegesis for me. I was deeply impressed by the "four source theory" which provided an explanation of the interesting and sometimes contradictory authorship of the Torah. This explanation gave me much comfort and grounding to think that the authorship of the first five books of the First Testament were a collaborative effort in an attempt to unify a scattered, chosen people and communicate individual, tribal faith and beliefs to future generations.

Daily Office Year Two
Gen. 2:4-25; Ps. 1, 2, 3; Heb 1:1-14; John 1:18

Today's lectionary has quite a collection of favorite Bible verses!

Psalm 121: I lift my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth..

Psalm 122: I was glad when they said to me: "Let us go to the house of the Lord!"

Psalm 123: To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!"

John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me wil never walk in darkness but will have the light of life."

There are images of light and openness throughout the readings. Paul's letter encourages us to continue in our faith that "all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom" will be open to us through Christ.


Daily Office Year Two
Isa. 45:14-19; Ps. 121, 122, 123; Col. 1:24 - 2:7; John 8:12-19

January 8, 2010

A couple of years ago during a very trying time, I began what proved to be a wonderful discipline of reading the daily lectionary at the very beginning of the day and writing whatever struck me. That evolved into a pattern. In 2010 I have picked up the discipline again and ask for your prayers that I can continue that discipline. Also, please feel free to add your comments, as we are all one body in the Lord.

In a notebook I enter the Scripture readings, then read them, adding words or phrases that catch my attention - those I believe are things that are speaking to me and resonating in me. Then I'll write some sentences or a short song or poem at the end.

Here's today's:

Exod. 17:1-7: He named the place Massah (Testing-Place) and Merribah (Quarrelling)...."is God with us or not?"

Ps. 117: God's faithful ways are eternal.

Ps. 118: God tested me, he pushed me hard, but he didn't hand me over to death.

Col. 1:15-23: We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.

John 7:37-52: "If anyone thirsts, let him some to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says."

January 7, 2010

The context of Deut. is the end of the journey and impending entrance into the Promised Land. During this journey God sustained his people in many ways: His presence through faithful leaders and care for the physical needs of the people (water, meat, manna). Remembering that one rendering of manna is "man hu" may mean "What is it?" from the Aramaic, at the end of our journey to fulfill our faith, what is it for us?

The Psalm today gives thanks for all those things God provided during the journey and Col. continues to urge us to mind the way God works so that we may work on and perfect our work in our lives.

Jesus urges the people to "throw in your lot with the One God has sent." (The Message) he is the One example of how to live.

Daily Office Year Two
Deut. 8:1-3; Ps. 103; Col. 1:1-14; John 6:30-33, 48-51

Epiphany January 6, 2010

The believers, the people of God,
are the light for the world.
God's spirit reverberates in them
igniting the true light of hope
for all humankind.


Daily Office Year Two
Isa. 49:1-7; Ps. 46, 97; Rev. 21:22-27; Matt. 12:14-21