In today’s Epistle selection, we continue with Peter’s second letter where he writes:
Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1: 12-21).
Peter knows that he will die soon. It is because he knows that his death is imminent that Peter wants to reinforce what he taught to those early Christians. Peter reminds them that he was an eye witness to Jesus’ ministry, to his life, death and resurrection. By way of example, Peter recounts what he himself experienced with James and John at the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top that we read about in the Gospel. Peter reiterates the importance of what he witnessed and what he has passed on to them and to us. The Apostles’ experience of Christ is contained in Scripture. That experience is also handed down to us through time by tradition and teaching stemming all the way back to the time of the Apostles and to the Apostles themselves. This is done through the Church, the community of believers. One cannot be a Christian in isolation; rather, faith must be live out in community, and this community finds its roots in the teaching and preaching of the Apostles. We are a Church of the Apostolic succession.
Let us pray: Almighty Father, who inspired Saint Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Hope, Peace, Joy and Love: The Advent Adult Education Series, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor behind the sacristy. Join us as we explore the Advent themes on our Advent banner.
Organ Extravaganza at Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Saturday, 3 December: 6:30-7:15 p.m.—Self-guided tours of the historic sanctuary. 7:30-8:00 p.m.—Performance by The Sons of Orpheus. 8:00 p.m.—Pipe Organ Extravaganza, Ronald Wyatt, concert organist. Following the performance—Reception with refreshments in historic Eaton Hall. Stained glass jewelry from the Tiffany window will also be on sale. Tickets are $10.
Galveston Heritage Chorale, Barbara Tucker and A Chosen Few will hold a concert Sunday, 4 December at 6 p.m. at Moody Methodist Church. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially for all of those who are traveling this week, for Nikki and Luke who had their marriage blessed last Sunday, for those seeking work, for the ill, for the poor, the hungry and those of who have no one to pray for them.
“Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth and in all gentleness and in all freedom from anger and forbearance and steadfastness and patient endurance and purity.” —Polycarp of Smyrna (69-156)
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1: 12-21).
Peter knows that he will die soon. It is because he knows that his death is imminent that Peter wants to reinforce what he taught to those early Christians. Peter reminds them that he was an eye witness to Jesus’ ministry, to his life, death and resurrection. By way of example, Peter recounts what he himself experienced with James and John at the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top that we read about in the Gospel. Peter reiterates the importance of what he witnessed and what he has passed on to them and to us. The Apostles’ experience of Christ is contained in Scripture. That experience is also handed down to us through time by tradition and teaching stemming all the way back to the time of the Apostles and to the Apostles themselves. This is done through the Church, the community of believers. One cannot be a Christian in isolation; rather, faith must be live out in community, and this community finds its roots in the teaching and preaching of the Apostles. We are a Church of the Apostolic succession.
Let us pray: Almighty Father, who inspired Saint Peter, first among the apostles, to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: Keep your Church steadfast upon the rock of this faith, so that in unity and peace we may proclaim the one truth and follow the one Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Hope, Peace, Joy and Love: The Advent Adult Education Series, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor behind the sacristy. Join us as we explore the Advent themes on our Advent banner.
Organ Extravaganza at Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Saturday, 3 December: 6:30-7:15 p.m.—Self-guided tours of the historic sanctuary. 7:30-8:00 p.m.—Performance by The Sons of Orpheus. 8:00 p.m.—Pipe Organ Extravaganza, Ronald Wyatt, concert organist. Following the performance—Reception with refreshments in historic Eaton Hall. Stained glass jewelry from the Tiffany window will also be on sale. Tickets are $10.
Galveston Heritage Chorale, Barbara Tucker and A Chosen Few will hold a concert Sunday, 4 December at 6 p.m. at Moody Methodist Church. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially for all of those who are traveling this week, for Nikki and Luke who had their marriage blessed last Sunday, for those seeking work, for the ill, for the poor, the hungry and those of who have no one to pray for them.
“Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth and in all gentleness and in all freedom from anger and forbearance and steadfastness and patient endurance and purity.” —Polycarp of Smyrna (69-156)
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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