The appointed Gospel for today is a well known passage, and one that is in the news today because of Tim Tebow:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God. (Jn. 3: 16-21).
Media controversy has surrounded Tim Tebow for his public display of faith. For example, recently “Saturday Night Live” parodied Tim Tebow’s relationship with Jesus. Bill Maher, an avowed atheist, tweeted an obscenity after the Bronco’s loss to the Buffalo Bills on Christmas Eve. The tweet concluded with the following: “Somewhere in hell Satan is tebowing, saying to Hitler ‘Hey, Buffalo’s killing them.’” There is a great deal more on football blogs and even network morning television.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God. (Jn. 3: 16-21).
Media controversy has surrounded Tim Tebow for his public display of faith. For example, recently “Saturday Night Live” parodied Tim Tebow’s relationship with Jesus. Bill Maher, an avowed atheist, tweeted an obscenity after the Bronco’s loss to the Buffalo Bills on Christmas Eve. The tweet concluded with the following: “Somewhere in hell Satan is tebowing, saying to Hitler ‘Hey, Buffalo’s killing them.’” There is a great deal more on football blogs and even network morning television.
I cannot say that I am surprised. If you read the rest of the Gospel for today, John tells us that there are those who love the darkness, do evil and hate the light. I believe that these negative responses to those who publically admit their Christian faith are born out of darkness and anger. Jesus still invites them to his table because as John reminds us: “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Let us pray: Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
CONFIRMATION CLASS on Sundays starting at 10:50 a.m. If you want to be Confirmed when Bishop Harrison visits us on Sunday, 5 February, you will need to participate in the Confirmation class. Please come!
SACRED PLACES TOUR: St. Augustine will be on the tour this year in February. It is a wonderful opportunity to share our faith history with others. Please plan to be a part of it.
PLEASE REMEMBER everyone on our Prayer List, especially those who are chronically ill, the lonely, the depressed, the unemployed, the ill and those who have no one to pray for them.
“Where there is Love and Wisdom, there is neither Fear nor Ignorance. Where there is Patience and Humility, there is neither Anger nor Annoyance. Where there is Poverty and Joy, there is neither Cupidity nor Avarice. Where there is Peace and Contemplation, there is neither Care nor Restlessness. Where there is the Fear of God to guard the dwelling, there no enemy can enter. Where there is Mercy and Prudence, there is neither Excess nor Harshness.”—St. Francis of Assisi
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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