Tuesday, September 6, 2011

“I will continue to rejoice."

Today the Daily Office Epistle reading is taken from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians:

I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.

Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will result in my deliverance. It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Phil. 1:12-30)

Even as I write this, wild fires are burning in Texas. Over 500 homes have been lost in the Bastrop area. At this very minute, the Diocese of Texas is mobilizing to help the victims. Calvary Episcopal in Bastrop first acted a shelter for some families, but was then evacuated as the fires approached downtown. Twelve members of Calvary in Bastrop have lost their homes to the fires.

On the west side of Austin, St. Luke’s on the Lake is acting as a resource center for a fire that has destroyed much of Steiner Ranch, a nearby neighborhood that has lost at least 25 homes. St. Luke’s is gathering food, water, and supplies for families that are currently displaced, and the media are currently using the church as a broadcast point for their coverage of the fire. The church plans to host a dinner for residents of Steiner Ranch this evening from 5-8 p.m.

The Church of the Resurrection in Austin is gathering clothing.

In the midst of this we hear St. Paul’s words: “Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will result in my deliverance.” The Body of Christ, the Church, you and me and people like us, continue to work for to bring relief and peace to injured souls and people’s whose lives have been forever changed. These individuals experience the Risen Christ through the work of the Church, and even in the midst of sadness and loss, they rejoice, even through tears, because they know the love of Christ.

Let us pray: Assist us mercifully, O Lord, in these our supplications and prayers, and dispose the way of your servants towards the attainment of everlasting salvation; that, among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, they may ever be defended by your gracious and ready help; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

PLEASE REMEMBER THOSE ON OUR PRAYER LIST: Today we especially remember Malcolm whose mother, Wanda Willis Simpson, died this morning, and we pray for all of those whose lives have been impacted by the wild fires blazing through Texas, and all of those hurt by the floodwaters of tropical storm Lee, and we pray for the Rev. Helen Appelberg who celebrated her 81st birthday yesterday.

“Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free. He has destroyed it by enduring it.” St. John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople; sermon, ca. 400.

Your servant in Christ,

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

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