Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A Jail Break!

The story of the Early Church continues with the reading from the Acts of the Apostles today, and we read about the brutality of King Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great, who has James, the Son of Zebedee and the brother of John (you may recall Jesus called them the “Sons of Thunder”), killed, and Peter is arrested, but God has a surprise for him:

About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.

The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel’s help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. On recognizing Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.” Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, “Tell this to James and to the believers.” Then he left and went to another place. (Acts 12:1-17).

God has a way of surprising His people. When we least expect it, God brings something good our way. Here is the young Christian community. James is beheaded by King Herod Agrippa. Peter is arrested. Things are looking pretty grim, and you can just see the Christians’ heads hanging low. Then, what happens? Peter is tapped on the side by God’s messenger waking him, and the angel says: “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. God orchestrates a jail break! Peter couldn’t believe it. Was he dreaming? No, he wasn’t; he was out of prison. Then he goes to his fellow Christians, and they can’t believe it. Peter is out of jail! Just when things looked to be at their worst, God has a way of coming in and making things right. Jesus did it--first the crucifixion, then the Resurrection. Now God surprises Peter and the other believers. God does it for us too. Be on the lookout, just when things seem to be at their grimmest, God will surprise you with His love and generosity, maybe even breaking us out of the chains that hold us bound.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.

Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.

2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.

25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, and those who have no one to pray for them.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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