Today the Church honors and remembers Judas’ replacement, Matthias. James Kiefer writes:
After the Ascension of Our Lord, His followers at Jerusalem chose a replacement for Judas. The man chosen was Matthias, "and he was numbered with the Eleven." Apart from the information given in the first chapter of Acts, nothing is known of him. It would be a mistake to conclude from this that he was a failure and a bad choice as an apostle. We know as much as we do about Peter and Paul because Luke (a travelling companion of Paul) wrote extensively about them. About most of the other apostles (those belonging to the original twelve and later ones like Matthias) we know little after Pentecost on an individual basis.
Here is the account from the Acts of the Apostles:
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it”; and “Let another take his position of overseer.” So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place* in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1: 15-26).
As Mr. Kiefer notes, nothing is really known about Matthias other than what we read in the Acts of the Apostles. Matthias is, in effect, the anonymous apostle. He is not unlike us or the vast majority of Christ’s followers. You and I are not famous. We are not well known. Yet you and I try to follow Christ in our daily lives, just like Matthias. You and I do not seek fame or recognition; we follow Christ out of love. We love God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we love God’s sons and daughters. Like Matthias, we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ without pay, without fame, but in love.
Let us pray: O Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REVIVAL! In the Episcopal Church? Sound a bit far-fetched? Not when you hear what The Very Rev. Rob Wright is suggesting. Rob is the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta and an inspiring speaker on revivals, renewal and our Christian call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. And, he is going to be with us on February 25 and 26. Hosted by the Galveston Convocation of Episcopal Churches, Rob will be at St. Thomas in Nassau Bay on Friday evening from 7:00-9:00 and at St. Christopher’s, in League City, on Saturday morning, February 26, from 9:00-12:30 to discuss with us how we can more effectively respond to that call. And you are invited.
In these days in which mainstream denominations and their people are struggling, St. Paul’s in Atlanta is thriving. What are they doing that we might find helpful? Come be part of this discussion and see. Rob was with us at our Annual Clergy Conference in October and quickly became the talk of the Conference. His style is inviting, plainspoken and equally applicable to all Christians. As a sign of the effect he has on groups of people his first workshop at Clergy Conference attracted 20-25 people - about average for the workshops. The next morning at the second session, folks having heard all the buzz the night before, there was an overflow crowd of 75+ people, spilling out into the hallway. He’s good, real good.
If you are available on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, better yet both, come see for yourself. You won’t be sorry; it will be time well spent.
HISTORY PROJECT. This Sunday, this month we celebrate Black History month. It is a time to remember the shoulders of those we stand upon who have been courageous in their fight for equality and freedom. St. Augustine's is an integral part of that history not only in the Diocese of Texas, but in the State of Texas. As a tribute to those who have come before us, and as a blessed reminder to those who will come after us, we are duty bound to capture the stories of the people who have made up St. Augustine. I would ask that you collect the stories of your families, photos and news articles so that we may record the treasures that are in our midst. We will need someone to spearhead this project--volunteers welcome!
CALENDAR REMINDERS
MARDI GRAS FUN AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S on FAT TUESDAY, 8 MARCH: Welcome a new tradition at St. Augustine's for Fat Tuesday, a true Mardi Gras celebration to be inaugurated by a famous Mardi Gras King and his Queen at St. Augustine’s!
Clothing is still welcome for the people of Lord of the Streets.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Karen Lehr for a speedy recovery.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
After the Ascension of Our Lord, His followers at Jerusalem chose a replacement for Judas. The man chosen was Matthias, "and he was numbered with the Eleven." Apart from the information given in the first chapter of Acts, nothing is known of him. It would be a mistake to conclude from this that he was a failure and a bad choice as an apostle. We know as much as we do about Peter and Paul because Luke (a travelling companion of Paul) wrote extensively about them. About most of the other apostles (those belonging to the original twelve and later ones like Matthias) we know little after Pentecost on an individual basis.
Here is the account from the Acts of the Apostles:
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the book of Psalms, “Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it”; and “Let another take his position of overseer.” So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place* in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1: 15-26).
As Mr. Kiefer notes, nothing is really known about Matthias other than what we read in the Acts of the Apostles. Matthias is, in effect, the anonymous apostle. He is not unlike us or the vast majority of Christ’s followers. You and I are not famous. We are not well known. Yet you and I try to follow Christ in our daily lives, just like Matthias. You and I do not seek fame or recognition; we follow Christ out of love. We love God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and we love God’s sons and daughters. Like Matthias, we spread the Good News of Jesus Christ without pay, without fame, but in love.
Let us pray: O Almighty God, who in the place of Judas chose your faithful servant Matthias to be numbered among the Twelve: Grant that your Church, being delivered from false apostles, may always be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REVIVAL! In the Episcopal Church? Sound a bit far-fetched? Not when you hear what The Very Rev. Rob Wright is suggesting. Rob is the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta and an inspiring speaker on revivals, renewal and our Christian call to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. And, he is going to be with us on February 25 and 26. Hosted by the Galveston Convocation of Episcopal Churches, Rob will be at St. Thomas in Nassau Bay on Friday evening from 7:00-9:00 and at St. Christopher’s, in League City, on Saturday morning, February 26, from 9:00-12:30 to discuss with us how we can more effectively respond to that call. And you are invited.
In these days in which mainstream denominations and their people are struggling, St. Paul’s in Atlanta is thriving. What are they doing that we might find helpful? Come be part of this discussion and see. Rob was with us at our Annual Clergy Conference in October and quickly became the talk of the Conference. His style is inviting, plainspoken and equally applicable to all Christians. As a sign of the effect he has on groups of people his first workshop at Clergy Conference attracted 20-25 people - about average for the workshops. The next morning at the second session, folks having heard all the buzz the night before, there was an overflow crowd of 75+ people, spilling out into the hallway. He’s good, real good.
If you are available on either Friday evening or Saturday morning, better yet both, come see for yourself. You won’t be sorry; it will be time well spent.
HISTORY PROJECT. This Sunday, this month we celebrate Black History month. It is a time to remember the shoulders of those we stand upon who have been courageous in their fight for equality and freedom. St. Augustine's is an integral part of that history not only in the Diocese of Texas, but in the State of Texas. As a tribute to those who have come before us, and as a blessed reminder to those who will come after us, we are duty bound to capture the stories of the people who have made up St. Augustine. I would ask that you collect the stories of your families, photos and news articles so that we may record the treasures that are in our midst. We will need someone to spearhead this project--volunteers welcome!
CALENDAR REMINDERS
MARDI GRAS FUN AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S on FAT TUESDAY, 8 MARCH: Welcome a new tradition at St. Augustine's for Fat Tuesday, a true Mardi Gras celebration to be inaugurated by a famous Mardi Gras King and his Queen at St. Augustine’s!
Clothing is still welcome for the people of Lord of the Streets.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Karen Lehr for a speedy recovery.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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