In today’s reading from Acts we hear the continuation of the debate regarding whether Gentiles who accepted Christ must also be circumcised according to the law of Moses:
The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.’ Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.” (Acts 15: 12-21).
James, having listened to Simon Peter and Paul, and having prayerfully considered how the Gentiles should be treated, decided that the Mosaic law of circumcision should not be imposed on the new believers. Rather, the Gentiles who have come to believe in Christ must only abstain from eating animals sacrificed to the Roman gods.
Not only then, but even now, the Church has struggled to deal with how people from different cultures fit within the Church. No doubt, we all have the same core belief. However, we come from different societal, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. How does this diverse group of believers live as a single body joined together by the belief that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the very Son of God and true man, who died and rose for us so that we may achieve the fullness of salvation? We do so by remembering that each of us, no matter where we come from or what our particular customs or language may be or whatever we may hold dear, is made in the image of God and loved by Christ so much that He gave up his life for the other person.
Let us pray: Loving Father help us to respect everyone of Your children, even those with whom we may not agree, keeping ever in our minds and hearts the knowledge that Jesus Christ died and rose for them as well as for us. Give us the grace through the Holy Spirit to treat all believers with the respect due to them as Your children made in Your likeness and image. Amen.
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.
Saturday, 18 September 2010, Earlie Evans’ 90th birthday celebration in Sutton Hall.
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. We will also have a group of young string musicians at the Service providing the music for the Eucharist.
25 September, Celebration at St. Vincent’s House at 10 a.m. with Houston’s Heroes and then at 11:00 a.m. health walk with refreshments after.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”. The opening reception will be at 6 p.m.
26 September at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Eucharist Rite II celebrating St. Vincent’s House.
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.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, 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
The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.’ Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.” (Acts 15: 12-21).
James, having listened to Simon Peter and Paul, and having prayerfully considered how the Gentiles should be treated, decided that the Mosaic law of circumcision should not be imposed on the new believers. Rather, the Gentiles who have come to believe in Christ must only abstain from eating animals sacrificed to the Roman gods.
Not only then, but even now, the Church has struggled to deal with how people from different cultures fit within the Church. No doubt, we all have the same core belief. However, we come from different societal, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. How does this diverse group of believers live as a single body joined together by the belief that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the very Son of God and true man, who died and rose for us so that we may achieve the fullness of salvation? We do so by remembering that each of us, no matter where we come from or what our particular customs or language may be or whatever we may hold dear, is made in the image of God and loved by Christ so much that He gave up his life for the other person.
Let us pray: Loving Father help us to respect everyone of Your children, even those with whom we may not agree, keeping ever in our minds and hearts the knowledge that Jesus Christ died and rose for them as well as for us. Give us the grace through the Holy Spirit to treat all believers with the respect due to them as Your children made in Your likeness and image. Amen.
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.
Saturday, 18 September 2010, Earlie Evans’ 90th birthday celebration in Sutton Hall.
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. We will also have a group of young string musicians at the Service providing the music for the Eucharist.
25 September, Celebration at St. Vincent’s House at 10 a.m. with Houston’s Heroes and then at 11:00 a.m. health walk with refreshments after.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”. The opening reception will be at 6 p.m.
26 September at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Eucharist Rite II celebrating St. Vincent’s House.
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.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, people undergoing special medical concerns, 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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