Monday, September 13, 2010

People Do Not Always Get Along, Not Even Saints

Today we hear about the split between Paul and Barnabas in the selection from the Acts of the Apostles:

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the believers* in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily. (Acts 15: 36-16: 5).


I can imagine Paul’s personality. He was a man of his convictions, probably stubborn and prone to “get excited” about some things. Paul does not want John Mark to accompany them on their trip to visit the churches that they had been to previously. What did John Mark do? The passage does not say. No one really knows. But here is what we do know: The incident between Paul and Barnabas is embarrassing; nevertheless, Luke includes the event in the Acts of the Apostles. What does this say about the Church? First, rather than hide embarrassing events, the Church accepts them. People do not always get along. Sometimes the reasons why are petty. You and I cannot base our faith in God by what we sin prone humans do. Second, whatever John Mark did, he and Paul eventually reconciled (2 Tim 4:11). There is a clear lesson here that both personal failure and fractured relationships are redeemable in Christian ministry.

CALENDAR REMINDERS:

On this second anniversary of Hurricane Ike, let us pray in thanksgiving for recovery, for help for those who have not yet recovered, and for everyone who has helped and continues to help. May God the Father embrace all of us in His loving arms, may God the Son touch us with His healing hands, and may the Holy Spirit be out companion now and always.

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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