St. John the Divine Anglican Church
465 Kinchant Street V2J 2R7 Quesnel, BC, Canada

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020 Daily Prayers Readings: Psalm 119:145-176; Zechariah 12:1-10; Luke 19:1-10; Ephesians 1:3-14... Collect 394 ‘Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, our Lord and King, grant that the peoples of the earth, now divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his gentle and loving rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.’ Reflection on Zechariah 12:1 10 from Wendy McRae The name Zechariah means God remembered. The book was written during the reign of Darius of the Persians the Persians were allowing the peoples that had been removed by the Babylonians to return to their homelands and even allowing them to rebuild their worship places. Reading the later chapters of Zechariah is always an interesting experience, because these chapters are very simple apocalyptic literature. (The book of Revelation is another example of apocalyptic literature.) The symbols are unfamiliar to us, but the feeling comes through loud and clear something’s gone wrong. Something needs to be fixed. In this chapter, finally, things are starting to look up for the city of Jerusalem and the people. God is going to come through. But this isn’t just going to be an unexpected military and political victory God will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer. From the description of its effects, though, we might call it a spirit of responsibility and honesty and clarity. As you pray and move through your day, in our time of something’s gone wrong, ask for this spirit of grace and prayer.

Tuesday, November 24th, 2020 Daily Prayers Readings: Psalm [120], 121, 122, 123; Zechariah 11:4-17; Luke 18:31-43; 1 Corinthians 3:10-23... Collect 394 ‘Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, our Lord and King, grant that the peoples of the earth, now divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his gentle and loving rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.’ Reflection on 1 Corinthians 3: v 16-17 by Marie Hay ' Do you not know you are the temple of God and that the spirit of God dwells in you?' Holy God, what an honor to be your temple. Thank you for dwelling in me through your Spirit. Thank you for living in my church. Thank you for choosing to be present through all of your people in the world. O Lord, it is a great honor to be your temple, but also a great responsibility. Help me to live in such a way that your presence in my life makes a real difference each day. Help my church to be a place where people come expecting to find you. Today, I'm reminded to pray for the whole church throughout the world. May our words and deeds bear consistent and faithful witness to you, so that you might be glorified and so that people might be drawn to you through us. Amen. https://youtu.be/AHe_qmo3gX4

Monday, November 23rd, 2020 Daily Prayers Clement, Bishop of Rome, c. 100 Readings: Psalm 106:1-18; Zechariah 10:1-12; Luke 18:15-30; Galatians 6:1-10... Collect 394 ‘Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, our Lord and King, grant that the peoples of the earth, now divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his gentle and loving rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.’ Reflection on Luke 18:15 30 from Peter Zimmer Perhaps you remember the old Jack Benny routine: MUGGER: Your money or your life! (Impatiently.) Hey Buddy, your money or your life! (Waving his gun.) I said, your money or your life! JACKBENNY: I'm thinking! I'm thinking! I wonder what Jack Benny would have said to the words we find in Luke, beginning with today’s reading: When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. (Luke 18.22) Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.’ (Luke 19.8) It’s tempting to treat scripture as a book of rules, to be taken literally. The problem is that the rules seem to change. Zacchaeus, whose story comes just after the rich young ruler only gives half his possessions away. Perhaps what we wish is not that someone would explain the rules, but that they would explain them away. But Jesus won’t let us off easily. The challenge isn’t about what he requires but whose we are. As Christians we are not our own, we are God’s. These passages only make sense from the perspective of stewardship, about caring for what we have. In the end, to follow Jesus is to acknowledge that everything we have and are belongs to God and is at God’s disposal.

Saturday, November 21st, 2020 Daily Prayers Readings: Malachi 3.13-4.6; James 5.13-20; Psalm 107.33-43; Luke 18.9-14... Collect ‘Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.’ Reflection on James 5. 13-20 by Denise Boulanger Prayer is a powerful tool. Today’s reading from James is a great reminder for us that we all need to do a lot more of it on a more regular basis. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (English Standard Version) Do you believe in the power of prayer? There have been many studies done in hospitals where certain wards or patients were prayed for by strangers while others were not. The patients who were prayed for healed quicker than those who were not. When our son Lorn was 4 and a half he became very sick. We had no idea of what was wrong with him. He was sent to Children’s Hospital in Vancouver with a suspected case of Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome which is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your extremities are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body. Although we had never heard of this before, it was something that we were able to learn all about very quickly. The Doctors at Children’s Hospital said that Lorn would be in Vancouver for 6 to 12 months learning to walk and talk again, but with the power of prayer and the determination and belief of that young boy, he was able to walk out of the hospital one week later returning home. This past Sunday, at Grace, we restarted having the Order of Saint Luke pray for those who requested prayer during our communion time. This was something that had dropped by the wayside a while ago but I am very happy that it has been started again. I hope that more people accept the offer to have others pray for them during communion. Although we can not lay hands on each other, prayer can still be very powerful. In this day and age, prayer is needed now more than ever.

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 Daily Prayers Readings: Psalm 101, 109:1-4, (5-19), 20-30; Malachi 1:1, 6-14; James 3:13-4:12; Luke 17:11-19... Collect 392 ‘Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.’ Reflection on James 3:13-4:12 by Jennifer Vigano I really enjoyed the reading from James today. Some of the writing about the epistle of James speaks of his work as focused on practical action. One commentator writes that [t]he book of James looks a bit like the Old Testament book of Proverbs dressed up in New Testament clothes. In this passage James writes about wisdom and self ambition, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. (3:13, 14). For me, it raises questions about when wisdom and the confidence it brings, leads to self ambition. I feel like there are days where I feel confident that what wisdom I have clearly comes from God. It brings confidence and harmony. Then there are days when that clarity isn’t there or I have a suspicion something isn’t quite right. And it sits alongside too much confidence perhaps and definitely not enough harmony. I then know I am not working through God’s wisdom but trying to find my own. But practical James tells us Come near to God and he will come near to you. (4:8) Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. (4:10). What great advice to put into actioneveryday! Have a great day. Amen.

Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 Daily Prayers Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200 Readings: Psalm 97, 99, [100]; Habakkuk 3:1-10, (11-15), 16-18; Luke 17:1-10; James 3:1-12... Coll 392 Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Reflection from Peter Zimmer Psalm 97 ‘The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. ‘ Today we honour Hugh, who was bishop of Lincoln at the end of the twelfth century. He was sent to England in 1175 to establish a Carthusian monastic house. Eleven years later he was appointed bishop of Lincoln. As bishop he didn’t spend all his time with senior clergy or royalty instead he was constantly on the move throughout his diocese as he sought to keep touch with his people’s needs. Throughout his episcopacy he was a passionate advocate for the powerless. On two occasions he threw himself into anti-Semitic mobs and singlehandedly rescued their Jewish victims from being murdered. On another occasion he rebuked clergy who argued that God disdained women. To no man was it ever granted to be called the father of God, but it was given to a woman to be the Mother of God. As a bishop, Hugh shared the inner freedom he had learned as a Carthusian, and the people responded with gratitude and love. When he died in 1200, his coffin was escorted not only by kings, archbishops and abbots, but also by a mighty throng of ordinary people women and men, all of whom felt that they weren’t burying a bishop so much as honoring a friend.

Monday, November 16th, 2020 Daily Prayers Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Helper of the Poor, 1093 Readings: Psalm 89:1-18; Habbakuk 2:1-4, 9-20; Luke 16:19-31; James 2:14-26... Coll 392 Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Reflection: Take some time in silence to consider the readings. Silence and listening takes practice. Habakkuk 1. 1-2.1 from Alexis Saunders O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Habbakkuk 1.2 Habakkuk was a minor prophet after the Babylonians, (Chaldeans) overthrew Israel and continued to conquer neighbouring countries. Habakkuk cried out against God; how could God let this happen? He climbs to his watchpost, a place high up with a view, to see far across the countryside to get another perspective; to have a conversation with God. Jerusalem had been destroyed and the people were caught in moral and religious bewilderment. In the end Habakkuk writes a little book of 3 chapters filled with truths that can be our guide through our cry for help with the challenges we face today. 1. History has meaning when we step back and take a long view and see events through the eyes of faith. 2. To have a moral core is as necessary for nations as it is for individuals. 3. Wealth is treacherous as a basis of human dependence for security. 4. God can bring goodness out of evil. 5. Trust in God is the only sure basis of strength. It takes multiple reflective readings to discover the truths in Habakkuk. I encourage you to take time with this little book that is filled with so many truths about life and for living. Alexis

Friday, November 20th, 2020 Daily Prayers Edmund, King of East Anglia, Martyr, 870 Psalm 102; Malachi 3:1-12; Luke 18:1-8; James 5:7-12... Collect 392 ‘Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.’ Reflection from Ken Ponsford After hearing and processing Dr. Bonnie Henry’s new directives yesterday afternoon, I really appreciated today’s readings. The opening verse of Psalm 102 seemed to be my own words said in the cadences of a different time: 1 Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you. Please, not isolation again, Lord! Please, not the closing of the church again, Lord! was my immediate reaction. I knew, though, in both my heart and my mind that what Dr. Henry is telling us to endure yet again is true and is necessary and will pass like all trouble. The reading from James reinforced what my sad heart and mind knew. 7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Be patient; be strong of heart; do not grumble against one another; take courage from the endurance of those who have gone before, such as Jobthey have seen the purpose of the Lord. The purpose of the Lord! The closing verses of the psalm remind us so well: 25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you endure; they will all wear out like a garment. You change them like clothing, and they pass away; 27 but you are the same, and your years have no end. 28 The children of your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in your presence. The children of your servants shall live secure; their offspring shall be established in your presence. We can do this, Folks! Thanks be to God!

Saturday, November 14th, 2020 Daily Prayers Readings Psalm 87, 90; Joel 3:9-17; James 2:1-13; Matthew 9:35-38; or Luke 18:1-8... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGPM0nDEDfQ Coll 391 Eternal God, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning, grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Matthew 9:35-38: The Harvest Is Great, the Labourers Few 35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ Reflection from Ken Ponsford When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. It’s easy to ponder whether Matthew is describing conditions in ancient Palestine, or in present day developed western nations. Perhaps the description is of some sort of universal human condition. Whichever of the possibilities it describes, one can’t help but wonder also just who or what are the labourers to be asked for, and what is the harvest they are to gather. Are we the labourers? Is the harvest something like what James describes in his warning against partiality: Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6But you have dishonoured the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? 7Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8.You do well if you really fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ So, it keeps coming back to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. American Standard Version

Thursday, November 19th, 2020 Daily Prayers Elizabeth, Princess of Hungary, 1231 Readings Psalm 105:1-22; Malachi 2:1-16; Luke 17:20-37; James 4:13-5:6... Reflection on Malachi 3:1-12 Collect 392 ‘Almighty God, you sent your Son Jesus Christ to be the light of the world. Free us from all that darkens and ensnares us, and bring us to eternal light and joy; through the power of him who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.’ Reflection on Malachi 3 :1-12 by Andrew Salton Verse 7 : " Return to me , and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. But you ask , " How are we to return?" Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me, But you ask, " How do we rob you?" In tithes and offerings. I used to think that giving one tenth of all my income amounted to a substantial amount. And if you view it this way it does. However, if you realise that EVERYTHING you have has come from God, then giving just one tenth back does not seem much of a burden. Giving one tenth back to God shows God how much you appreciate how much God has done for you and is a reminder of God's generosity, to each of us. I have talked to a number of people over the years about the subject of tithing. Many of them have said that since they started tithing, they have always had sufficient and have never been in need. Indeed some have prospered greatly. I think it puts me in the right mind set, that all we have comes from God. I am happy and grateful at God's generosity and feel compelled to show it! Verse 10b " Test me in this" says the Lord Almighty " and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it". Amen.