One of the appointed Psalms for today is Psalm 82. It picks up on a theme that comes up again and again in the Old Testament, the treatment of the poor. As you read it, keep in mind that Psalm 82 was written some 2600 years ago. The Psalmist writes:
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
‘How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?
Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’
God calls us to treat the least among us with dignity. Just because someone may be poor or out of a job does not mean that they are less human. God reminds us, in the words of the Psalmist, that we must “give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy.”
Helping the poor is not a question of “whether”, but a question of “how”. What can we do that is the most effective for those in need? How do we maintain their human dignity?
The follower of Christ cannot relinquish his or her responsibility to help the poor by expecting the government to take care of it. Jesus did not say, “For I was hungry and the Welfare Department gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and Health and Human Services gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and the Social Security Administration invited me in.”
No, Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (Mt. 25: 35).
What can you and I do? We have ways to help in our local community and the greater world. Sitting quietly in the back of the Church is the St. Vincent’s House food box. Take the time to drop something into it from time to time. There is still time to help stem malaria and to educate people how they can better care for themselves with Nets for Life. It is just a $12 gift. The Community Garden is another way to help those in need. What else can you and I do at St. Augustine to better people's lives? Take time to think and pray about it.
Let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Sunday, 19 June is Father’s Day. Don’t forget Dad! We will have a special breakfast by Idell and Alicia for all of the dads at St. Augustine on Father’s Day. Let us pray for our fathers: Loving Father, we pray that our earthly fathers may imitate the manly courage of Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world. Amen.
Opportunities for Ministry: Altar Guild (every Sunday), Art Classes (as announced on Saturdays), Community Garden (continuing), Fellowship Breakfasts (every Sunday), Food for St. Vincent’s House (continuing), Nets for Life, Prayer Shawls (continuing), S.A.S.S. (every Thursday for those impacted by HIV/AIDS) and St. Augustine History Project (continuing).
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Gladys, Pat, Cindi, Liz, Tom, all of the men and women of our armed forces serving at home and abroad, and all of those who are alone and shut in.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
‘How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?
Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’
God calls us to treat the least among us with dignity. Just because someone may be poor or out of a job does not mean that they are less human. God reminds us, in the words of the Psalmist, that we must “give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy.”
Helping the poor is not a question of “whether”, but a question of “how”. What can we do that is the most effective for those in need? How do we maintain their human dignity?
The follower of Christ cannot relinquish his or her responsibility to help the poor by expecting the government to take care of it. Jesus did not say, “For I was hungry and the Welfare Department gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and Health and Human Services gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and the Social Security Administration invited me in.”
No, Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (Mt. 25: 35).
What can you and I do? We have ways to help in our local community and the greater world. Sitting quietly in the back of the Church is the St. Vincent’s House food box. Take the time to drop something into it from time to time. There is still time to help stem malaria and to educate people how they can better care for themselves with Nets for Life. It is just a $12 gift. The Community Garden is another way to help those in need. What else can you and I do at St. Augustine to better people's lives? Take time to think and pray about it.
Let us pray: Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Sunday, 19 June is Father’s Day. Don’t forget Dad! We will have a special breakfast by Idell and Alicia for all of the dads at St. Augustine on Father’s Day. Let us pray for our fathers: Loving Father, we pray that our earthly fathers may imitate the manly courage of Abraham, Jesse and Joseph, and all the holy fathers of the past in providing wise counsel to the children you have given to their care. And may our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and for all your people throughout the world. Amen.
Opportunities for Ministry: Altar Guild (every Sunday), Art Classes (as announced on Saturdays), Community Garden (continuing), Fellowship Breakfasts (every Sunday), Food for St. Vincent’s House (continuing), Nets for Life, Prayer Shawls (continuing), S.A.S.S. (every Thursday for those impacted by HIV/AIDS) and St. Augustine History Project (continuing).
Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Gladys, Pat, Cindi, Liz, Tom, all of the men and women of our armed forces serving at home and abroad, and all of those who are alone and shut in.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
No comments:
Post a Comment