Today the Church remembers St. Mary Magdalene. She is perhaps one of the most misunderstood personages in the New Testament as is evidenced by The DaVinci Code, a book made into a movie.
Here is what we do know from the New Testament accounts: Mary was healed by Jesus; she followed him, and was at the foot of the cross. Mary was also the first witness of the Risen Lord, and Jesus sent her to tell the Apostles. (Lk. 8; Jn. 20).
What is clear is that Mary’s life was radically changed by Jesus’ healing. Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an example of the faithful women to Christ. All of the Gospels name Mary as one of the women who went to the tomb to mourn and to care for the body of Jesus. Her weeping for the loss of her Lord strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of loved ones. Jesus’ tender response to her grief, meeting her in the garden, revealing himself to her by calling her name, makes her the first witness to the Resurrection. She is also given the command by Jesus: “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (Jn. 20:17). As the first messenger of the Resurrection, Mary tells the Apostles, “I have seen the Lord.” (Jn. 20:18). Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 266 (1980). The Early Church referred to Mary as “the Apostle to the Apostles.”
Mary is an example to all of us of faithful discipleship even in the midst of hardship.
Let us pray: Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed of all our infirmities and know you in the power of his endless life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Adult Christian Formation: Join us for the last gathering in the series on heaven and hell, Angels with Harps or Demons with Pitchforks, Or Something Else, on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave.
UBE Youth at St. Augustine from 31 July to 1 August: The Union of Black Episcopalians Youth will stay with us at St. Augustine to learn their history and the place of this Church in the Diocese of Texas, and to use our facilities as a base of operations as they do mission work at St. Vincent's House. Corlie Jackson has asked us to feed our visitors on Sunday morning. She does not have an exact number yet, but she also said that the UBE would pay for the food.
Kitchen Shower: First weekend in August.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
Russ Viska who had a double bypass
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Roylene Lemons’ continued recovery from cancer surgery
Baby Hayden and for his mother, Clarrissa Blevins
Gladys Simon
Cindi Clack
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Leslie Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Here is what we do know from the New Testament accounts: Mary was healed by Jesus; she followed him, and was at the foot of the cross. Mary was also the first witness of the Risen Lord, and Jesus sent her to tell the Apostles. (Lk. 8; Jn. 20).
What is clear is that Mary’s life was radically changed by Jesus’ healing. Her ministry of service and steadfast companionship, even as a witness to the crucifixion, has, through the centuries, been an example of the faithful women to Christ. All of the Gospels name Mary as one of the women who went to the tomb to mourn and to care for the body of Jesus. Her weeping for the loss of her Lord strikes a common chord with the grief of all others over the death of loved ones. Jesus’ tender response to her grief, meeting her in the garden, revealing himself to her by calling her name, makes her the first witness to the Resurrection. She is also given the command by Jesus: “Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (Jn. 20:17). As the first messenger of the Resurrection, Mary tells the Apostles, “I have seen the Lord.” (Jn. 20:18). Lesser Feasts and Fasts, p. 266 (1980). The Early Church referred to Mary as “the Apostle to the Apostles.”
Mary is an example to all of us of faithful discipleship even in the midst of hardship.
Let us pray: Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed of all our infirmities and know you in the power of his endless life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Adult Christian Formation: Join us for the last gathering in the series on heaven and hell, Angels with Harps or Demons with Pitchforks, Or Something Else, on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave.
UBE Youth at St. Augustine from 31 July to 1 August: The Union of Black Episcopalians Youth will stay with us at St. Augustine to learn their history and the place of this Church in the Diocese of Texas, and to use our facilities as a base of operations as they do mission work at St. Vincent's House. Corlie Jackson has asked us to feed our visitors on Sunday morning. She does not have an exact number yet, but she also said that the UBE would pay for the food.
Kitchen Shower: First weekend in August.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine & Blessing of the New Facilities:
Dinner celebration on Saturday, 28 August 2010
Eucharist, Sunday, 29 August 2010
PLEASE REMEMBER ALL THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST and especially:
Russ Viska who had a double bypass
Sue and Sean Coleman as Sue recovers from brain surgery
Roylene Lemons’ continued recovery from cancer surgery
Baby Hayden and for his mother, Clarrissa Blevins
Gladys Simon
Cindi Clack
Let us pray for all of those serving in the Armed Forces, especially:
Lewis Lemons
Brian Taylor
Lt. Col. Bryan Leslie Runion
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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