The Epistle reading today is from the fifth chapter of Paul to the Romans; he writes:
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Rm.5:1.11).
Life can be difficult. Paul knew it. But Paul also knew that suffering can have value. Just look at Jesus' passion and death. Both Paul and Jesus also knew that out of suffering good can come. With Jesus' death on the cross came the resurrection and salvation. With Paul's suffering, he learned to put his hope in God and to trust in God completely. When life becomes difficult, when life hurts, when our lives seem to be filled with pain, keep in mind Paul's words: "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
Let us pray: Loving Father, we know that Your Son's death on the cross gave us life; when we are in pain, when we are suffering, pour Your Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we may trust in You completely and to live in the knowledge that You are present in our suffering and that we have the hope of the resurrection. Amen.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and today especially for those who are suffering, and for Gladys Simon, Pat Tate, for those who are travelling, especially Bob Newding, and for those who are ill, especially, Shalea Callis, who is back in the hospital, for Carol Freeman's brother, Terry, who had surgery, and for Cindi Clack, and in thanksgiving for all God has done for us.
CALENDAR REMINDERS: UBE Youth at St. Augustine of Hippo the last weekend of July. This is a special time for the UBE Youth who are coming home to learn how special and significant their place is not only in the Diocese of Texas, but in the greater Church.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Rm.5:1.11).
Life can be difficult. Paul knew it. But Paul also knew that suffering can have value. Just look at Jesus' passion and death. Both Paul and Jesus also knew that out of suffering good can come. With Jesus' death on the cross came the resurrection and salvation. With Paul's suffering, he learned to put his hope in God and to trust in God completely. When life becomes difficult, when life hurts, when our lives seem to be filled with pain, keep in mind Paul's words: "suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
Let us pray: Loving Father, we know that Your Son's death on the cross gave us life; when we are in pain, when we are suffering, pour Your Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we may trust in You completely and to live in the knowledge that You are present in our suffering and that we have the hope of the resurrection. Amen.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and today especially for those who are suffering, and for Gladys Simon, Pat Tate, for those who are travelling, especially Bob Newding, and for those who are ill, especially, Shalea Callis, who is back in the hospital, for Carol Freeman's brother, Terry, who had surgery, and for Cindi Clack, and in thanksgiving for all God has done for us.
CALENDAR REMINDERS: UBE Youth at St. Augustine of Hippo the last weekend of July. This is a special time for the UBE Youth who are coming home to learn how special and significant their place is not only in the Diocese of Texas, but in the greater Church.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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