In this last week of the liturgical year, we hear from the First Letter of Peter. He begins his letter:
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look! (1 Pet. 1: 1-12).
Peter speaks of difficult times and holding fast to the faith. In today’s world, there are many who are undergoing difficult times. Many are out of work; others are making less than they did before. Moreover, the holiday season is upon us and the culture around us places a secular, a materialistic value on the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons. Peter reminds us what Thanksgiving is truly about: “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
So this week, remember and give thanks for the gift of salvation, for “by his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Now that is something to be thankful about.
Let us pray: Gracious Father we give you most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits received through the life, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, send Your Holy Spirit to sanctify our thanks and all that we do. Amen.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE OUR THANKSGIVING LUNCH SUCH A WONDERFUL FEAST! The food and the fellowship were wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Advent begins next Sunday. The liturgical color changes to purple and we will use Rite I.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially for all of those who are traveling this week, for Kelly and Andy who were married on Saturday, for those seeking work, for the ill, for those who are recovering from surgery, especially Duane, for the poor, the hungry and those of who have no one to pray for them.
Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing... a grateful heart!” -- George Hebert (1593-1633)
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated, when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look! (1 Pet. 1: 1-12).
Peter speaks of difficult times and holding fast to the faith. In today’s world, there are many who are undergoing difficult times. Many are out of work; others are making less than they did before. Moreover, the holiday season is upon us and the culture around us places a secular, a materialistic value on the Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons. Peter reminds us what Thanksgiving is truly about: “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
So this week, remember and give thanks for the gift of salvation, for “by his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Now that is something to be thankful about.
Let us pray: Gracious Father we give you most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits received through the life, death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, send Your Holy Spirit to sanctify our thanks and all that we do. Amen.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE OUR THANKSGIVING LUNCH SUCH A WONDERFUL FEAST! The food and the fellowship were wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Advent begins next Sunday. The liturgical color changes to purple and we will use Rite I.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially for all of those who are traveling this week, for Kelly and Andy who were married on Saturday, for those seeking work, for the ill, for those who are recovering from surgery, especially Duane, for the poor, the hungry and those of who have no one to pray for them.
Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing... a grateful heart!” -- George Hebert (1593-1633)
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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