Sts. Peter & Paul: An Example to Remember

Today the Church celebrates Sts. Peter and Paul. Anyone who thinks the Early Church was always in agreement does not know about these two men. Peter and Paul disagreed. They disagreed about what Gentiles who became believers should do. Paul calls Peter a hypocrite for siding with James on the issue. Peter seems to be caught between two extremes with sympathy for both; James believed that anyone who became a Christian must subscribe to the Jewish customs; Paul believed that no obstacles should be placed in the way of non-Jewish converts. See Acts 15; Gal. 2: 11-21. Nevertheless, they did agreed on the core of their faith, that being that Jesus was the Son of God who gave his life for their sins, should them the Father's forgiveness, and was raised from the dead--Jesus Christ is Lord. In the end, the dispute was resolved when the Church came together and discussed the issue and sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their story is always something to keep in mind.

Let us pray: Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

8 July 2011 at St. Augustine’s Sutton Hall from noon to 3 p.m. S.A.S.S. will host “A 2011 Update: The Latest Info about HIV/AIDS” with Paul Simmons, RN, ACRN, the Executive Director of Center for AIDS Houston. Lunch will be provided free of cost, and the seminar is free of cost as well. Reserve your spot today at galvestonsass@gmail.com.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Evelyn McNeill who is continuing to recover from surgery.

Your servant in Christ,

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