Following on the heels of yesterday’s reading from Acts, we have the continuation of the story:
But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.
Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. And they stayed there with the disciples for some time. (Acts 14: 19-28).
There they were riding high, and the crowd, who at first thought they were gods, has now been swayed, and the rocks come flying. Thinking that they had killed him, the crowd drags Paul out of the city. And so it goes, Paul’s ministry in preaching the Good News. The next day, Paul and Barnabas set out again to bring others to Christ knowing that “[i]t is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
It is nothing short of miraculous that after such a terrible beating, literally within inches of his life, that Paul picks up where he left off and continues. Paul continues even though he knows that it will no doubt happen again. Paul continues in the sure and certain knowledge that he and Barnabas will be “commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed.” Their reward is in God alone. Their salvation is in God alone. Their hope is in God alone.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, sometimes we find it difficult to do what You want us to do. Sometimes we feel as if we are getting nowhere even though we try. Give us the strength and courage of Paul and Barnabas who endured hardship and rejection because they followed You. Even though things seemed bleak at times, they persevered. Give us Your grace to do the same. 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.
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
But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples surrounded him, he got up and went into the city. The next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
After they had proclaimed the good news to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, then on to Iconium and Antioch. There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.” And after they had appointed elders for them in each church, with prayer and fasting they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had come to believe.
Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed. When they arrived, they called the church together and related all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. And they stayed there with the disciples for some time. (Acts 14: 19-28).
There they were riding high, and the crowd, who at first thought they were gods, has now been swayed, and the rocks come flying. Thinking that they had killed him, the crowd drags Paul out of the city. And so it goes, Paul’s ministry in preaching the Good News. The next day, Paul and Barnabas set out again to bring others to Christ knowing that “[i]t is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
It is nothing short of miraculous that after such a terrible beating, literally within inches of his life, that Paul picks up where he left off and continues. Paul continues even though he knows that it will no doubt happen again. Paul continues in the sure and certain knowledge that he and Barnabas will be “commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed.” Their reward is in God alone. Their salvation is in God alone. Their hope is in God alone.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, sometimes we find it difficult to do what You want us to do. Sometimes we feel as if we are getting nowhere even though we try. Give us the strength and courage of Paul and Barnabas who endured hardship and rejection because they followed You. Even though things seemed bleak at times, they persevered. Give us Your grace to do the same. 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.
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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