In this Thursday in the second week of Advent, we hear from the Gospel according to Matthew where Jesus tells the crowd:
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’”
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matt. 11: 7-15).
“Let anyone who has ears listen.” Advent is a time for listening, listening to the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. During this Advent season, we take time to “clean out our ears” so that we may hear that voice. We clean out the obstacles to hearing the voice, obstacles like the commercialism that has tried its best to kidnap the season and the “what is in it for me” attitude. Let anyone who has ears listen!
Let us pray: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Advent Series: “Hope, Peace, Joy & Love” every Sunday at 11:00 A.M. in the parlor.
Christmas Services: Christmas Eve Rite II at 5:00 P.M. Christmas Day Rite II at 9:00 A.M.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Robert, Fr. John Bedingfield, all of those looking for work, the poor, the ill, the lonely and those who have no one to pray for them.
“Work as if everything depended upon your work, and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.” —William Booth (Founder of the Salvation Army)
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’”
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matt. 11: 7-15).
“Let anyone who has ears listen.” Advent is a time for listening, listening to the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. During this Advent season, we take time to “clean out our ears” so that we may hear that voice. We clean out the obstacles to hearing the voice, obstacles like the commercialism that has tried its best to kidnap the season and the “what is in it for me” attitude. Let anyone who has ears listen!
Let us pray: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Advent Series: “Hope, Peace, Joy & Love” every Sunday at 11:00 A.M. in the parlor.
Christmas Services: Christmas Eve Rite II at 5:00 P.M. Christmas Day Rite II at 9:00 A.M.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Robert, Fr. John Bedingfield, all of those looking for work, the poor, the ill, the lonely and those who have no one to pray for them.
“Work as if everything depended upon your work, and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.” —William Booth (Founder of the Salvation Army)
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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