The Epistle reading for today is a continuation of the Letter to the Hebrews. We read:
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—‘My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.’
Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, bu the disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now,discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Heb. 12: 3-11).
The key word in today’s reading is “discipline.” When you think of discipline,what comes to mind, perhaps a childhood memory? Maybe you recall your disciplining your children. You might even recall a time when you saw someone else disciplining their children, or failing to discipline their children. The word “discipline” as a verb means “to train, to develop by instruction or by exercise.” Paul is talking about being in the habit of doing things the right way, the moral way, God’s way. That also means that discipline is a matter of love and must be done in a loving manner. The more we practice doing what is right and good, the easier it becomes to the point where it becomes a very part of who we are. When God disciplines us, God is training us to be more Christ-like, to be bearers of His love to the world.
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
Bishop Harrison will be with us this Sunday for Confirmations! Come join in the celebration and remember that rather than doing our traditional breakfast, we will do a pot luck instead. Wear red!
Here is what is on the pot luck menu so far:
Shrimp pasta salad: Idell Guidry
Donuts: Lee Runion
Mac & Cheese: Liz Mack
Sausage gravy: Peggy Tuthill
Biscuits: Charles Lemons
Fruit: Karen Lehr
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially all of those who are traveling.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as children—‘My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.’
Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, bu the disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness. Now,discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Heb. 12: 3-11).
The key word in today’s reading is “discipline.” When you think of discipline,what comes to mind, perhaps a childhood memory? Maybe you recall your disciplining your children. You might even recall a time when you saw someone else disciplining their children, or failing to discipline their children. The word “discipline” as a verb means “to train, to develop by instruction or by exercise.” Paul is talking about being in the habit of doing things the right way, the moral way, God’s way. That also means that discipline is a matter of love and must be done in a loving manner. The more we practice doing what is right and good, the easier it becomes to the point where it becomes a very part of who we are. When God disciplines us, God is training us to be more Christ-like, to be bearers of His love to the world.
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
Bishop Harrison will be with us this Sunday for Confirmations! Come join in the celebration and remember that rather than doing our traditional breakfast, we will do a pot luck instead. Wear red!
Here is what is on the pot luck menu so far:
Shrimp pasta salad: Idell Guidry
Donuts: Lee Runion
Mac & Cheese: Liz Mack
Sausage gravy: Peggy Tuthill
Biscuits: Charles Lemons
Fruit: Karen Lehr
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially all of those who are traveling.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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