Do We Have the Courage?

Today we hear from the Gospel according to Luke; Jesus tells us:

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. … So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. (Lk. 14: 25 & 35).

As we draw toward the end of Ordinary Time, and as we approach Christ the King Sunday, Jesus talks about picking up our crosses and following him. Jesus’ kingship is not what the world understands a king to be. Just look at the kings and queens who are still sit on thrones today like the British royal family. They certainly live a lavish life style. They have a few palaces, Buckingham Castle in London, and just 25 or so miles away from London, Windsor Castle, and Hollyrood in Scotland, just to name a few.

But we have our own royalty in the United States, just look at the magazines in the check-out line at the grocery store. On the cover of People, we see Hollywood celebrities jetting around the world and sunning themselves in the Riviera. They live in massive mansions that are as large as hotels.

Jesus tells us that his kingship is nothing like that. Jesus identifies with the poor and the outcasts, with those that polite society wants nothing to do with. Jesus’ throne is a cross on a hill; his crown is made of thorns. Jesus invites you and me to follow his kingly lead. Do we have the courage to do it? Do we have the courage to pick up our crosses and to follow our King?

CALENDAR REMINDERS

This Sunday for Adult Christian Formation, we will begin a short series on Sundays until Advent at 11:00 a.m. in Sutton Hall—Stump the Vicar. Bring your questions whatever they may be, about Scripture, the Episcopal Church, the liturgy, you name it, bring it! There will be a prize for anyone who stumps the Vicar.

Thursday, 11 November, is Veteran’s Day. Please remember in your prayers all of those who have served this Country in the Armed Forces.

Art classes begin Saturday, 13 November in the art room in Bright-Davies Hall. Please join Lee Runion. The class is free. Lee’s phone number is 409-392 4171.

Thanksgiving luncheon, Sunday, 21 November, after the Eucharist. Please remember to sign up to bring a dish to share.

Big Mista BBQ fundraiser for the Community Garden, Saturday, 11 December. Melva Pope has tickets, so please pick some up for friends and family.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Pat Williams, the trumpeter who played at Second Sunday Jazz, who is in ICU.

Your servant in Christ,

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