Today’s Daily Office Gospel reading is taken from Matthew:
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Mt. 24:3-14).
There are many people and many things that pretend to be our messiah. The pretenders are not the same for all of us; each of us may have our own. Some people believe that money will save them. Others may believe that alcohol or drugs will give them relief. For others, it may be the false security of never taking a risk, of sitting at home and waiting for things to come to you rather than venturing out to others. For some others, it may be following any new exotic idea or trendy fashion in the hopes that it will fill the void in our lives.
Today, Jesus tells us: “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet.”
Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom in our lives before we can clearly see that Jesus is the answer and that we are to keep our eyes focused on Him and His plan for us and for the world. One of the most often repeated phrases in the New Testament is Jesus telling us not to be afraid. You and I must put out trust in Christ and not be distracted by the false messiahs in the world calling us not to salvation, but to lives of emptiness.
Let us pray, almighty and loving Father, You sent Your Son to be our savior, to give His life for us so that we might live in Your abundant life. Send Your Holy Spirit to keep our focus on Christ who is the way, the truth and the life, and in whom we live and move and have our being, and keep us from following the deception of false teachers and saviors. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Adult Christian Formation: We’re back on track for Adult Christian Formation with our series on heaven and hell, Angels on Clouds or Demons with Pitchforks, Or Something Else, on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave.
Feeding Volunteers at William Temple: On Thursday, 15 July at 6:00 p.m. we will feed 40 volunteers at William Temple. We have a reputation now with the volunteers on providing some of the best meals.
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Sue and Sean Coleman, as Sue recovers from her brain surgery. Let us pray for the continued recovery of Roylene Lemons, Baby Hayden, who is now home with mother Clarrissa. Let us pray for the couple newly married in Ireland, Mark and Mags Ramey, and for all of those who are traveling, especially the Taylors, and in thanksgiving for Tammie’s continuing recovery. Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially Angela Lemons’ son, Lewis, and the Taylor’s son serving in Iraq.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the birth pangs.
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Mt. 24:3-14).
There are many people and many things that pretend to be our messiah. The pretenders are not the same for all of us; each of us may have our own. Some people believe that money will save them. Others may believe that alcohol or drugs will give them relief. For others, it may be the false security of never taking a risk, of sitting at home and waiting for things to come to you rather than venturing out to others. For some others, it may be following any new exotic idea or trendy fashion in the hopes that it will fill the void in our lives.
Today, Jesus tells us: “Beware that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet.”
Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom in our lives before we can clearly see that Jesus is the answer and that we are to keep our eyes focused on Him and His plan for us and for the world. One of the most often repeated phrases in the New Testament is Jesus telling us not to be afraid. You and I must put out trust in Christ and not be distracted by the false messiahs in the world calling us not to salvation, but to lives of emptiness.
Let us pray, almighty and loving Father, You sent Your Son to be our savior, to give His life for us so that we might live in Your abundant life. Send Your Holy Spirit to keep our focus on Christ who is the way, the truth and the life, and in whom we live and move and have our being, and keep us from following the deception of false teachers and saviors. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Adult Christian Formation: We’re back on track for Adult Christian Formation with our series on heaven and hell, Angels on Clouds or Demons with Pitchforks, Or Something Else, on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave.
Feeding Volunteers at William Temple: On Thursday, 15 July at 6:00 p.m. we will feed 40 volunteers at William Temple. We have a reputation now with the volunteers on providing some of the best meals.
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Sue and Sean Coleman, as Sue recovers from her brain surgery. Let us pray for the continued recovery of Roylene Lemons, Baby Hayden, who is now home with mother Clarrissa. Let us pray for the couple newly married in Ireland, Mark and Mags Ramey, and for all of those who are traveling, especially the Taylors, and in thanksgiving for Tammie’s continuing recovery. Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially Angela Lemons’ son, Lewis, and the Taylor’s son serving in Iraq.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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