The appointed Gospel for today is taken from the sixth chapter of Mark’s Gospel. We hear one the most often used phrases in the Gospels:
When evening came, the boat was out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the lake. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once here recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. (Mk 6: 47-56).
“Do not be afraid.” Jesus says that more often than any other thing in the Gospels. “Do not be afraid.” He means it. There is proper, rationale, fear. For example, one ought to be afraid when confronted by a grizzly bear. But not all fear is proper. Deep fear, fear that is not rationale, is crippling. For example, take a person who is up in years, but cannot properly take care of himself. Friends and relatives suggest that they move to an assisted living center where they will have a better quality of life and be in the company of others. Yet the person is afraid of the change. He decides not to make the move. When we are fearful, we do not make good decisions. Fear keeps us trapped. Jesus tells us emphatically, “Do not be afraid.” Trust in the Lord. Trust in those that the Lord sends to help us get rid of our fears. Do not be afraid!
Let us pray: Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all who are gripped in the clenched fist of fear. Provide for them dignity and peace; give them lived ones who are instruments of Your love and grace so that they can hear the words of Your Son, Jesus, “do not fear.” Increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
This Saturday, Birdhouse building with Lee Runiuon at 10 a.m. Be sure and let Lee know if you will attend.
St. Augustine will host the UBE Youth Mission trip from the 12th to the 14th of August. Our Church has a very special place in Texas as the oldest African-American Episcopal Church in the state. Sharing our history with the youth is a blessed ministry that is ours.
PRAYER MINISTRY
Please remember to pray for everyone on our prayer list, and I ask prayers for the Rev. Tom Bain as he transitions from his clinical pastoral work at Memorial Hermann to hospice ministry and as he seeks a placement, and the people of Norway, all of the victims and their families who suffered at the hands of evil. Our prayers are so dear to God, that he has appointed the angels to present them to him as soon as they come forth from our mouths. “The angels,” says St. Hilary, “preside over the prayers of the faithful, and offer them daily to God.” Lift your hearts in prayer to the Almighty!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
When evening came, the boat was out on the lake, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the lake. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once here recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the market-places, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. (Mk 6: 47-56).
“Do not be afraid.” Jesus says that more often than any other thing in the Gospels. “Do not be afraid.” He means it. There is proper, rationale, fear. For example, one ought to be afraid when confronted by a grizzly bear. But not all fear is proper. Deep fear, fear that is not rationale, is crippling. For example, take a person who is up in years, but cannot properly take care of himself. Friends and relatives suggest that they move to an assisted living center where they will have a better quality of life and be in the company of others. Yet the person is afraid of the change. He decides not to make the move. When we are fearful, we do not make good decisions. Fear keeps us trapped. Jesus tells us emphatically, “Do not be afraid.” Trust in the Lord. Trust in those that the Lord sends to help us get rid of our fears. Do not be afraid!
Let us pray: Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all who are gripped in the clenched fist of fear. Provide for them dignity and peace; give them lived ones who are instruments of Your love and grace so that they can hear the words of Your Son, Jesus, “do not fear.” Increase their faith and their assurance of your love. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
This Saturday, Birdhouse building with Lee Runiuon at 10 a.m. Be sure and let Lee know if you will attend.
St. Augustine will host the UBE Youth Mission trip from the 12th to the 14th of August. Our Church has a very special place in Texas as the oldest African-American Episcopal Church in the state. Sharing our history with the youth is a blessed ministry that is ours.
PRAYER MINISTRY
Please remember to pray for everyone on our prayer list, and I ask prayers for the Rev. Tom Bain as he transitions from his clinical pastoral work at Memorial Hermann to hospice ministry and as he seeks a placement, and the people of Norway, all of the victims and their families who suffered at the hands of evil. Our prayers are so dear to God, that he has appointed the angels to present them to him as soon as they come forth from our mouths. “The angels,” says St. Hilary, “preside over the prayers of the faithful, and offer them daily to God.” Lift your hearts in prayer to the Almighty!
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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