On this day after Thanksgiving, Peter gives us sound counsel about doing what is right:
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. (1Peter 3: 13-22)
Peter equates your suffering for doing good with Jesus’ suffering on the cross for the sins of the world, including your sins. We participate in Christ’s suffering when we when we suffer for the sake of conscience and doing God’s will. That is good company to be in.
Let us pray: O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Advent begins next Sunday. The liturgical color changes to purple and we will use Rite I.
This Sunday we will bless the marriage of Nikki and Luke Blount.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially for all of those who are traveling this week, for Nikki and Luke who will have their marriage blessed this Sunday, 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, and in thanksgiving for all of God's blessings.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight people, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. (1Peter 3: 13-22)
Peter equates your suffering for doing good with Jesus’ suffering on the cross for the sins of the world, including your sins. We participate in Christ’s suffering when we when we suffer for the sake of conscience and doing God’s will. That is good company to be in.
Let us pray: O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to us your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Advent begins next Sunday. The liturgical color changes to purple and we will use Rite I.
This Sunday we will bless the marriage of Nikki and Luke Blount.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially for all of those who are traveling this week, for Nikki and Luke who will have their marriage blessed this Sunday, 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, and in thanksgiving for all of God's blessings.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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