Today’s Epistle reading comes from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. He raises a theme that is not foreign to our age. Not only in Paul’s day, but in ours as well, there are many who think that Christianity is pure foolishness:
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 1: 20-31).
There are those in the world who think that Christians are indeed foolish people, that what we believe is pure folly. That thinking stems from a belief that humanity is totally self-sufficient, that we are capable on our own to make this a better world. From where I stand, that seems to be what is truly foolish! Just look at our human history. It is filled with greed, violence, and exploitation of other human beings.
Christianity is not a philosophy or a set of high ideals. It is not a path of spirituality or even a rule of life. It is not a political agenda. It may very well include all those things, but at its very heart Christianity is something different. It is good news about an event which happened, an event which has changed the world, and this world can never be the same again. Those who believe it and live by it will never be the same again either. This is Paul’s message to the Corinthians-and to us today. You and I have been and continue to be transformed by the resurrected Jesus. It may be foolish in the eyes of many, but from where I stand, it makes much more sense that putting my trust in the humanity, and the Stalins, Hitlers, Mao Tse-Tungs, Pol Pots and Saddam Husseins of the world.
Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 1: 20-31).
There are those in the world who think that Christians are indeed foolish people, that what we believe is pure folly. That thinking stems from a belief that humanity is totally self-sufficient, that we are capable on our own to make this a better world. From where I stand, that seems to be what is truly foolish! Just look at our human history. It is filled with greed, violence, and exploitation of other human beings.
Christianity is not a philosophy or a set of high ideals. It is not a path of spirituality or even a rule of life. It is not a political agenda. It may very well include all those things, but at its very heart Christianity is something different. It is good news about an event which happened, an event which has changed the world, and this world can never be the same again. Those who believe it and live by it will never be the same again either. This is Paul’s message to the Corinthians-and to us today. You and I have been and continue to be transformed by the resurrected Jesus. It may be foolish in the eyes of many, but from where I stand, it makes much more sense that putting my trust in the humanity, and the Stalins, Hitlers, Mao Tse-Tungs, Pol Pots and Saddam Husseins of the world.
Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
The Joint Lenten Series with Grace begins on Wednesday, 29 February with Stations of the Cross and Eucharist at 6:00 p.m. followed by a light meal and a program by Tony Campolo:
Week I (Grace): Abundant Life, What Is It?
Week II (St. Augustine): Money: How Poor Does Jesus Want Us To Be?
Week III (Grace): Time: How Much Do I Have to Give Away?
Week IV (St. Augustine): Stuff: How Much Can I Have?
Week V (Grace): Support: What Will Help?
Week VI (St. Augustine): Next: What Will I Do Come Monday Morning?
Please join us.
St. Augustine will host the Seniors on the Island on the third Thursday of every month starting on Thursday, 19 April 2012. We are becoming part of the Seaside Seniors Mature Adult Ministry. This ministry assists with a weekly lunch open to all seniors. If you are interested in food, fun and fellowship, join the Seaside Seniors each week throughout Galveston Island. Line dancing begins at 11am and lunch is served at 11:45am at the following locations:
1st Thursdays at St. Patrick’s
2nd Thursdays at Moody Methodist
3rd Thursdays at St. Augustine
4th Thursdays at Grace Episcopal
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Week I (Grace): Abundant Life, What Is It?
Week II (St. Augustine): Money: How Poor Does Jesus Want Us To Be?
Week III (Grace): Time: How Much Do I Have to Give Away?
Week IV (St. Augustine): Stuff: How Much Can I Have?
Week V (Grace): Support: What Will Help?
Week VI (St. Augustine): Next: What Will I Do Come Monday Morning?
Please join us.
St. Augustine will host the Seniors on the Island on the third Thursday of every month starting on Thursday, 19 April 2012. We are becoming part of the Seaside Seniors Mature Adult Ministry. This ministry assists with a weekly lunch open to all seniors. If you are interested in food, fun and fellowship, join the Seaside Seniors each week throughout Galveston Island. Line dancing begins at 11am and lunch is served at 11:45am at the following locations:
1st Thursdays at St. Patrick’s
2nd Thursdays at Moody Methodist
3rd Thursdays at St. Augustine
4th Thursdays at Grace Episcopal
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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