An Archbishop Who Defied a King: Thomas á Becket

In this Christmas week, the Church remembers a bishop who defied a king, Thomas á Becket (1118 - 1170), Archbishop of Canterbury. Some of you may recall the 1964 movie on the subject starring Peter O’Toole as King Henry II and Richard Burton as Archbishop Thomas á Becket.

Thomas studied both civil and canon law in England and Paris. He built a reputation for diligence and efficiency, and gained the attention of King Henry II of England, who made him chancellor of England in 1155. The king was not disappointed in his selection.

King Henry did not have the best of relationships with the Archbishop of Canterbury, so when he died, King Henry appointed his friend, Thomas, as Archbishop thinking that Thomas would bend to his will. Thomas was ordained a priest on 2 June 1162 at Canterbury, and on 3 June 1162 he was consecrated as Archbishop by Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester and the other suffragan bishops of Canterbury.

Thomas took his priesthood very seriously and his position as Archbishop of Canterbury. He resigned his position as chancellor and made a serious commitment to Christ lead the life of an ascetic and doing penance. He sought independence for the Church and its clergy which brought him into conflict with King Henry. After a series of new laws passed regarding the trials for clergy, Thomas being accused and convicted of disloyalty to the crown and flight to France and eventual return, things came to a head in England when King Henry reportedly said, “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?’ With that four of Henry’s knights went to Canterbury and murdered Thomas in the Cathedral on this day in 1170. Quickly, the people revered Thomas as a saint.

On 12 July 1174, King Henry humbled himself with public penance at Thomas’ tomb as well as at the church of St. Dunstan, which became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in England.

Let us pray: O God, our strength and our salvation, who called your servant Thomas Becket to be a shepherd of your people and a defender of your Church: Keep your household from all evil and raise up among us faithful pastors and leaders who are wise in the ways of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ the shepherd of our souls, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

This week, please remember in your prayers the family of Roylene Lemons. She died the evening of Christmas Day. The funeral will be in Monroe, Louisiana on Friday, 30 December at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. At St. Augustine, we will offer the Eucharist for her and for Charles Lemons and his family on Sunday, the 1st of January at 9:00 a.m.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Fear & Power: A Deadly Combination, The Holy Innocents

Today we remember the Holy Innocents that we read about in the second chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew:

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” (Mt. 2: 16-18).

Herod was appointed by the Romans in 40 B.C. to rule over Palestine. For 37 years, Herod the Great was ruthless. The historian Josephus described Herod as “a man of great barbarity towards everyone.” During his reign, Herod was continually in fear of losing is throne. Fear and power, they are a deadly combination. Herod, who considered himself to be King of the Jews, was afraid that he would lose his power to a little child, so he had all of the children under 2 years of age killed to protect his position.

The Prince of Peace does not operate out of fear and does not lord it over others with his power. In this Christmas season, let us remember all of those who hold power and pray that they do not exercise it out of fear.

Let us pray: We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

This week, please remember in your prayers the family of Roylene Lemons. She died the evening of Christmas Day. The funeral will be in Monroe, Louisiana on Friday, 30 December at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. At St. Augustine, we will offer the Eucharist for her and for Charles Lemons and his family on Sunday, the 1st of January at 9:00 a.m.

Your servant in Christ,

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

St. John, Apostle & Evangelist

Today, the 27th of December, the Church celebrates the life and ministry of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.

It is God who calls; people answer. The vocation of John and his brother James is stated very simply in the Gospels: Jesus called the brothers; they followed. The absoluteness of their response is relayed in Matthew’s Gospel (4:21-22), James and John “were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.”

Because of the depth of the Gospel, John is usually thought of as the eagle of theology, soaring high. However, the other Gospels reveal John’s flaws which gave rise to Jesus naming John and his brother, James, “the sons of thunder.” Matthew tells us that their mother asked that James and John be given places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom—one on his right hand, one on his left. When Jesus asked them if they could drink the cup he would drink and be baptized with his baptism of pain, they blithely answered, “We can!” Jesus said that they would indeed share his cup, but that sitting at his right hand was not his to give. It was for those to whom it had been reserved by the Father. The other apostles were, as one might expect, somewhat indignant at their ambition. Jesus took the occasion to teach them the true nature of authority: “Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:27-28).

Another time, “the sons of thunder” asked Jesus if they should not call down fire from heaven upon the less than friendly Samaritans who did not welcome Jesus. Of course, Jesus rebuked them.

Please remember in your prayer all of those who are named John, and I would ask prayers especially for my Uncle John and my Cousin John o this their saint's day.

Let us pray: Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light; that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Please remember in your prayers the family of Roylene Lemons. She died the evening of Christmas Day. The funeral will be in Monroe, Louisiana on Friday, 30 December at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. At St. Augustine, we will offer the Eucharist for her and for Charles Lemons and his family on Sunday, the 1st of January. Let us pray: Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Roylene. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

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

St. Stephen: First Deacon & First Martyr

On this day after Christmas, the Church celebrates the life and ministry of the first deacon who was also the first martyr, St. Stephen. What we know of him comes from the Acts of the Apostles. Luke writes:

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.’ What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:1-15).

The story goes on in the next chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Stephen tells the elders the truth of what Israel has done and who Jesus is, and like his Lord and Savior, Stephen is put to death. Luke tells us: While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died. (Acts 8: 59-60).

Let us pray: We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.

Please remember in your prayers the family of Roylene Lemons. She died the evening of Christmas Day. The funeral will be in Monroe, Louisiana on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church. At St. Augustine, we will offer the Eucharist for her and for Charles Lemons and his family. Let us pray: Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Roylene. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

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

“What then will this child become?”

On this Thursday in the fourth week of Advent, we read about a joyous event, the birth of a child. Luke writes:

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.

On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. But his mother said, ‘No; he is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘None of your relatives has this name.’ Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. He asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. All who heard them pondered them and said, ‘What then will this child become?’ For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him. (Lk. 1: 57-66).

When a child is born, he or she is so full of promise, so full of potential. We stare in amazement and wonder what will the future bring to this child? What is in store for this young life? That is what those who gathered around the baby, John, were thinking, “What then will this child become?” I am sure that those gathering around the new born had no idea that John would announce the coming of the Messiah, the long awaited one.

Let us pray: Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Christmas Services: Christmas Eve, 5 p.m., Rite II; Christmas Day, 9 a.m., Rite II.

Food Pantry for St. Vincent’s House: People are in need all year round. Please remember to bring something to those with those who have nothing. You can always place your gift at the food pantry collection center in the vestibule of the Church.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Cindy Katz, Robert Strawder, Katie Putman, Roylene Lemons, the unemployed, the addicted, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” St. John the Baptizer (Lk. 3:16)

Your servant in Christ,

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

St. Thomas & India: Ancient Christian Roots

On this Wednesday in the fourth week of Advent, we remember St. Thomas the Apostle, known by many as “doubting Thomas."

Tradition has it that St. Thomas traveled to India, and in India, it is believed that he landed in 52 A.D. in Cranganore near Cochin, which was at that time an important seaport on the Malabar Coast, having trade connections with the Middle East.

The Mar Thoma Church (“Mar Thoma” is Aramaic for “St. Thomas”) is one of the oldest Christian groups in the world dating back to the late first century. The Mar Thoma Church defines itself as “Apostolic in origin, Catholic in nature, Biblical in faith, Evangelical in principle, Ecumenical in outlook, Oriental in worship, Democratic in function, Episcopal in character and is a Reformed Church.”

In recent times, the Mar Thoma Church entered into dialogue with the Anglican Church in India. A concordat was agreed upon in 1961 establishing Communion relationship between the two Churches. It was also agreed that in the consecration of Bishops by either Church the Bishops of the other Church shall participate. Thus ministry of the two Churches was mutually accepted in full. Later the Lambeth Conference declared acceptance of the ministry and full communion relationship. Thus the Mar Thoma Church is in full communion relationship with the Anglican Communion all over the world.

In recent years in the United States, when parishes of the Mar Thoma Church were organized here, agreements were made between the Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Church and the Episcopal Church by which they will provide pastoral care for the members of the Mar Thoma Church in those countries, whenever necessary.

Let us pray: Almighty and everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Remember you can always check the Daily Reflections at http://staugustineofhippogalveston.blogspot.com/ if you would like check or to share calendar reminders.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Christmas Services: Christmas Eve, 5 p.m., Rite II; Christmas Day, 9 a.m., Rite II.

Food Pantry for St. Vincent’s House: People are in need all year round. Please remember to bring something to those with those who have nothing. You can always place your gift at the food pantry collection center in the vestibule of the Church.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Cindy Katz, Robert Strawder, Katie Putman, Roylene Lemons, the unemployed, the addicted, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.” —St. Francis of Assisi, (1182-1226)

Your servant in Christ,

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

Advice for a Less Civil World

The Epistle selection for this the Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Advent is taken from Paul’s letter to a Titus. Paul writes:

But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us. (Titus 2:1-8).

Have you noticed that in our day and age, and especially during the Christmas season, that people are less civil and they have forgotten how to be polite? All you have to do is to get out on the roads. People are always cutting others off, and they do so without even signaling. When you get to your destination and try to park, people are jockeying for parking spots nearly running others down to get the best spot. Turn on the TV and I have no doubt you will encounter young people using foul language and dressed like, well you can fill that in.

In the midst of this world, Paul gives us some sound advice: be temperate, be prudent, be loving, do not slander, do not over indulge in drink, love your spouses and children, have integrity, be chase, watch your mouth, and exercise self-control. The world would be a much better place is we adhered to Paul’s advice.

Let us pray: Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess: Grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and, remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Remember you can always check the Daily Reflections at http://staugustineofhippogalveston.blogspot.com/ if you would like check or to share calendar reminders.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Christmas Services: Christmas Eve, 5 p.m., Rite II; Christmas Day, 9 a.m., Rite II.

Food Pantry for St. Vincent’s House: People are in need all year round. Please remember to bring something to those with those who have nothing. You can always place your gift at the food pantry collection center in the vestibule of the Church.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Cindy Katz, Robert Strawder, Katie Putman, Roylene Lemons, the unemployed, the addicted, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“Let us, therefore, foresake the vanity of the crowd and their false teachings, and turn back to the word delivered to us from the beginning.”—St. Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155)

Your servant in Christ,

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

Nothing Is Impossible With God

In this Monday of the fourth week of Advent, the appointed Gospel is taken from Luke, which presents to us the familiar story of Jesus’ birth. Today we start out with Jesus’ cousin, John:

In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. Now at the time of the incense-offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’ Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How will I know that this is so? For I am an old man, and my wife is getting on in years.’ The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. But now, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time, you will become mute, unable to speak, until the day these things occur.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and wondered at his delay in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept motioning to them and remained unable to speak. When his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

After those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she remained in seclusion. She said, ‘This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.’ (Lk. 1: 5-25).

In the Gospel according to Luke, God turns things on their head and let’s us know that nothing is impossible with God. In a culture where men were in charge, women play a prominent role. In a society where men spoke, a man is rendered mute. Today’s reading makes that clear. Zechariah is a priest who doesn’t believe God’s messenger, Gabriel. It is not that he doubts, Zechariah refuses to believe asking for proof in the presence of an angel. Unlike Mary who is perplexed and afraid when Gabriel visits her asking “How can this be?,” Zechariah says “How will I know that this is so?” When God makes the impossible a reality, perhaps we should wait until we speak, and let the magnificence of God’s majesty and power simply be as we bask in His infinite love.

Let us pray: Merciful God, you send your messengers to us in many forms, give us grace to hear Your word and to revel in the power of Your infinite love as shown to us in Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Christmas Services: Christmas Eve, 5 p.m., Rite II; Christmas Day, 9 a.m., Rite II.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Cindy Katz, Robert Strawder, Katie Putman, Roylene Lemons, the unemployed, the addicted, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

Your servant in Christ,

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

God has saved His “people from the east country and from the west country” in Jesus

The Old Testament reading for today comes from the Book of Zechariah. It picks up on a reoccurring theme in the Old Testament, God’s concern for those who have no voice, for those who vulnerable and weak:

The word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. Just as, when I called, they would not hear, so, when they called, I would not hear, says the Lord of hosts, and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and a pleasant land was made desolate.

The word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness. (Zechariah 7:8-8:8)

The prophets continually tell the people of Israel that keeping faith with God means caring for those who have no voice, the weak, the widow and the orphan. Yet Israel does not listen to God’s messengers, to His prophets. Advent is a reminder of us of how the weak and oppressed awaited the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah did come; he came as one of us to be one with us. We remember the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament and we rejoice because God has saved His “people from the east country and from the west country” in Jesus, the Christ. God has remained faithful and righteous. Rejoice!

Let us pray: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues this Sunday after the service. This is the last in the series, and this Sunday we will reflect on Love.

Christmas Schedule: Christmas Eve, Saturday, 24 December, Rite II, 5 p.m. Christmas Day, 25 December, Rite II, 9 a.m.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Cindy Katz, Robert Strawder, Katie Putman, Roylene Lemons, the unemployed, the addicted, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them, and we pray in thanksgiving especially for all of those marked with the sign of faith, especially Nora and Stanislawa and for John who expresses Christ’s love by his generosity.

“O God of our fathers, and Lord of mercy, who has made all things with your word, and ordained man through your wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which you have made, give me wisdom that sits by your throne so that I might understand what is your will and be saved. For I am your servant. Amen.” — St. Cyril, 9th century apostle to the Slavic people

Your servant in Christ,

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

St. John of the Cross, Mystic

In this Wednesday in the third week of Advent, the Church remembers St. John of the Cross who was born in Spain in 1542 as Juan de Yepes Alvarez. Although John was a Roman Catholic priest of the Carmelite order who lived during the time the Reformation, he is still honored by the Anglican Communion because of his life of prayer and his works on mystical theology. He is considered one of the foremost poets in the Spanish language. Two of them, the Spiritual Canticle and Dark Night of the Soul are considered by many to be among the best poems ever written in Spanish.

John of the Cross also wrote four treatises on mystical theology, two of them concerning the two poems above, and supposedly explaining the meaning of the poems verse by verse and even word by word. Ascent of Mount Carmel is a systematic study of the ascetical endeavor of a soul looking for perfect union with God. Living Flame of Love describes a greater intimacy, as the soul responds to God's love.

St. John of the Cross died on this day in 1591.

Let us pray: Judge eternal, throned in splendor, you gave Juan de la Cruz strength of purpose and mystical faith that sustained him even through the dark night of the soul: Shed your light on all who love you, in unity with Jesus Christ our Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Cindy Katz, Robert Strawder, Katie Putman, Roylene Lemons, the unemployed, the addicted, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”—John of the Cross

Your servant in Christ,

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

Keep Watch!

The Gospel reading for this Tuesday in the third week of Advent captures the theme of the season, watchful expectation for the second coming of Jesus. Matthew writes:

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” (Mt. 24: 26-44).

Watch, be ready—that’s the message in today’s Gospel reading. Part of watching and waiting is simply doing what Jesus asks us to do. Jesus, knowing the Old Testament extremely well, tells us what we should do. We have been praying this every Sunday during Advent as we use Rite I, Jesus' summary of the Law which can be found in the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. Jesus tells us to love the Lord, our God with all all hearts, all our souls and all our minds, and the second commandment is like unto it, we should love our neighbors as ourselves. Do that, and you’ll be ready when Jesus comes again in power an great glory.

Let us pray: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” —Dame Cicely Saunders

Your servant in Christ,

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

Consider the Poor

In this Monday of the third week of Advent, one of the appointed Psalms for the Daily Office is the 41st Psalm where the Psalmist prays:

Happy are those who consider the poor;
the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.
The Lord protects them and keeps them alive;
they are called happy in the land.
You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;
in their illness you heal all their infirmities.
As for me, I said, ‘O Lord, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.’
My enemies wonder in malice
when I will die, and my name perish.
And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,
while their hearts gather mischief;
when they go out, they tell it abroad.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me.
They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,
that I will not rise again from where I lie.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them.
By this I know that you are pleased with me;
because my enemy has not triumphed over me.
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence for ever.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.Amen and Amen.

In this time of waiting, waiting for the Lord to come, we hear how God is concerned for the poor and the sick, for those who are unable to care for themselves. Amidst the noise and distractions of the world during this season, commercials of music boxes playing a tune and then cars with red bows being given as Christmas gifts, the maniacal lady shopping, stop and focus on what God is concerned with, consider the poor, those who are infirmed and fragile.

Let us pray: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“All our life is like a day of celebration for us; we are convinced, in fact, that God is always everywhere. We work while singing, we sail while reciting hymns, we accomplish all other occupations of life while praying.” —Clement of Alexandria

Your servant in Christ,

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

The Lord, Your Redeemer

The Old Testament reading for today’s Eucharist comes from the 48th chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah who writes:

Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you for your own good,
who leads you in the way you should go.
O that you had paid attention to my commandments!
Then your prosperity would have been like a river,
and your success like the waves of the sea;
your offspring would have been like the sand,
and your descendants like its grains;
their name would never be cut off
or destroyed from before me. (Isa. 48: 17-19).

Today’s selection comes from what Scripture scholars call “deutero” or “second” Isaiah, that being chapters 40 to 55, because these chapters are believed to have been written by an anonymous prophet toward the end of the Babylonian exile (around 586 to 538 years before Christ) who was a follower of the prophet Isaiah. From this section come the Servant Songs, which are reflected in the New Testament understanding of the passion and glorification of Christ.

Isaiah is truly to prophet for Advent; it calls us to repentance and to follow the way of the Lord. It reminds us that God does not abandon His people, although His people often abandon God. God is the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. God is also with us, Emmanuel.

Let us pray: O Lord our Redeemer, come with great might among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“The dogma of the Incarnation is the most dramatic thing about Christianity, and indeed, the most dramatic thing that ever entered the mind of man; but if you tell people so, they stare at you in bewilderment.” —Dorothy Sayers

Your servant in Christ,

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

Let anyone who has ears listen!

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

Baptized, Ordained Deacon, Priest & Bishop in One Week: St. Ambrose

Today the Church remembers St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and friend of our own St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.

Ambrose had a successful career as a lawyer; he was governor of Milan and then thrust into being Bishop of Milan. In 374, the Bishop of Milan died. The recently deceased bishop had supported the heresy that said Jesus was not divine. Who would take the dead bishop’s place – someone who didn’t believe Jesus was also divine or someone who believed Jesus was true God and true man? Both sides met in the cathedral and a riot broke out.

Since public order was Ambrose's responsibility as governor, he hurried to the cathedral and made a passionate speech not in favor of either side, but in favor of peace. He begged the people to make their choice without fighting; they urged them to use restraint and moderation.
Suddenly, while he was speaking, a voice called out, "Ambrose for bishop!" Soon everyone was shouting, "Ambrose for bishop!"

The other bishops of the province were only too happy to have the controversial decision taken out of their hands, but Ambrose was not about to give up a successful career for the dangerous position of bishop - a life- threatening occupation in those days. So Ambrose ran away.

When Ambrose appealed to the Emperor to overturn the decision on the basis that he had not even been baptized yet, the Emperor answered that he was happy that he chose governors fit for the Episcopal office. At the age of 33, Ambrose was baptized, ordained deacon, ordained priest and ordained bishop in one week!

Ambrose died on this day in 397.

Let us pray: O God, who gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

We remember on this day all of those who perished at the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and for everyone who has given their life in service to their country.

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

The Church's foundation is unshakable and firm against the assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly batter and crash against her, she offers the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress. —Ambrose (339-397)

Your servant in Christ,

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

Channing Moore Williams, Bishop of Japan

During this first week of Advent, the Church remembers and honors a missionary to China, Channing Moore Williams. He was born in 1829 in Richmond, Virginia. Williams was educated at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, and went to seminary at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. Upon the completion of his studies in Alexandria, he was ordained a deacon in 1855.

The Episcopal Church sent Williams to China, where he was ordained priest in 1857. In 1859 Williams was sent to Nagasaki, Japan.

In 1866, Williams was consecrated the bishop of China and Japan. The governments of both countries restricted access to Westerners who were very mistrusted. Christian missionaries, in particular, were watched with suspicion, as they were suspected by the government of being spies for their own respective governments. Christianity was legally banned in Japan since the 16th century. Christian clergymen were allowed into Japan, but only in the capacity as chaplains to the few Western diplomats that were allowed access to the Japanese government.

In 1868, the Meiji Restoration opened Japanese society to the West. Interaction between Christian missionaries and native Japanese became much easier. As a result, Bishop Williams decided to take advantage of the new political situation to concentrate his efforts on that country. China was not abandoned, however. Williams’ friend, Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewski, was elected bishop of China in 1874. Thereafter, Bishop Williams’ Episcopal jurisdiction was centered in Japan, and he moved his office to Tokyo, which had become the capital of the new Meiji government.

Williams’ success in Japan is well documented. He oversaw the translation of the Book of Common Prayer into Japanese and founded St. Paul’s University in Tokyo. He also assisted Bishop Schereschewski in the translation of the Book of Common Prayer into Chinese. In 1887 at a synod held in Tokyo, Williams brought together missionaries from England and the United States, along with native communicants, to form the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, or the Holy Catholic Church of Japan. Today, the Japanese Church, with its native clergy and bishops, is an important constituent province of the Anglican Communion.

In 1889, Bishop Williams’ health began to fail. He asked for a successor, but this was not granted until the appointment of John McKim as the second bishop of Japan in 1893. Williams retired to Kyoto, where he continued to offer assistance to his Bishop McKim as needed. He returned to the United States in 1908, having been away from the land of his birth for 52 years. He died in Richmond on 2 December 1910.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Channing, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the peoples of Asia. Raise up, we pray, in this and every land heralds and evangelists of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

WORLD AIDS DAY: 1 DECEMBER

During this week we remember all of those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Christian leaders are calling for continued support for the nearly 34 million people living with HIV around the world and encouraging renewed education and advocacy efforts to bring an end to the global pandemic.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams, speaking from the Congo in Africa said the following in a video statement:

The conflict in Congo has made it hideously clear that sexual violence is one of the great tools of war in our age; one of the great means by which people humiliate and subdue others. The women in Congo, especially in this part of Congo, have suffered dreadfully because of this. And the connection between sexual violence of this kind and the spread of HIV/AIDS is one of the most shameful facts of our day.

Trauma is something which cannot be overcome overnight but when people feel they’ve been abandoned by families, by communities, because of the shame and stigma of HIV/AIDS, the church in this part of Congo has been there for them.

For these people, who have been abused systematically, been raped, violated, abducted often at the youngest of ages – for these people, the church has been the family that mattered. The church has been the community that has given them back the dignity that they need. The church has given them the hope that they need.

As we seek to confront the terrible scandal of sexual violence as one of the causes of HIV/AIDS, let’s hope and pray that communities like the churches here will continue to fight as hard as they can against the stigmatising and marginalising that so reduce human dignity.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity of listening to the experience of women here – grateful, though it has been hard to hear. I hope the world will be able to hear what is being said here and to see what is being done here.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson issued a joint letter for World AIDS Day 2011, saying that the two churches have embarked upon a new age of full communion:

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on God's call to lift up the dignity and value of each person. … We are called to confront this pandemic - whose scale has no precedent in human history - through prayer, by speaking out to eliminate stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS, by caring for those afflicted by the virus in our own communities, by advocating for strong government support of life-saving programs, and by supporting the global effort to alleviate the global systems of poverty within which HIV and AIDS is so endemic. … We are part of a global family of 150 million Anglicans and Lutherans, most living in developing countries, for whom the virus is an ever-present daily reality. … This is an opportunity for us to remember the 30 million lives that have been lost to the deadly pandemic over the past three decades, to rededicate our energies in support of those 34 million living with HIV and AIDS today and to work toward building a future without AIDS.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Hope, Peace, Joy & 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 the family of Carrie Walpole, a young woman of 35 who died suddenly of a brain aneurysm; we pray for her husband, Daryl, and their sons, Billy and Tommy, as they mourn the loss of wife and mother; we pray for Robert Strawder who is in critical condition from burns, for Charles Lemons' wife, Roylene, who suffered a fall and is in the hospital, those seeking work, for the ill, for the poor, the hungry and those of who have no one to pray for them.

Your servant in Christ,

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