Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Feast of the Visitation: A Preview of God's Kingdom

Today is the Feast of the Visitation.  The story is set forth in Luke’s Gospel: 

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’

And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home. (Lk. 1: 39-56).

Mary’s song, the Magnificat, appears at the very start of Luke’s Gospel.  In it, Luke gives us a glimpse of what the child in Mary’s womb will do and what the Kingdom of God looks like.  The Messiah will come, not as expected, and the Messiah will do the unexpected in establishing God’s Kingdom which will look very different from the kingdoms of the world.

Let us pray:  Father in heaven, by whose grace the virgin mother of your incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping your word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS FOR SUMMER

GOSPEL BY THE SEA: Saturday, 9 June 2012 at First Presbyterian.

SAFEGUARDING GOD’S CHILDREN: Saturday, 23 June 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Sutton Hall at St. Augustine’s.

ART HAPPENINGS:

June 8th Friday night from 6:30to 8:30, Adult class with wine, we will be making peace souvenirs for the September art show.

June 9th Saturday 10:00 to Noon: children and adult class, we will be working on a banner for the September art show.

June 24th Sunday, after breakfast we will have a very important meeting about the September art show along with a sign-up sheet. We have a list of all the things that we need to make this event a success; there is something for everyone even those who are not artist.

Get the word out ... our first Summer Children's Art Camp, will be every Saturday in July from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with snacks. The theme is folk art from many cultures. $10 supply charge per class. Ages 7 to 18. We will need adult volunteers that have had Safeguarding God's Children Training to assist. Space is limited so sign up ASAP. Some of the classes will be taught by guest artists from the Galveston Art League.

         July 7: Signs and symbols found in all cultures, make your own sign.

         July 14: Guardian Angels with guest artist Mary Ann Hasty, Native American

         July 21: Mandela's, African Shields

         July 28: Collage and the art of Mexico.

         There will be no Friday night adult art class in July because of the Summer Art Camp.

STEVE POIRIER is in UTMB and has cancer. It is terminal.  Some of you may recall him.  He is the gentleman who comes on occasion for Sunday Eucharist.  He sits in the back of the Church and is a frequently seen with Charles Lemons.  He is very ill and has no family in Galveston.  When he leaves the hospital, he will need an inexpensive place to live and meals. His only income is Social Security. Please keep your ears and eyes open for a cheap, clean place to live.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Cory Smith, Steve Poirier, Patricia Robinson, Betty Robinson, Robert, all of those who are out of work and who are seeking employment.

Your servant in Christ,

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

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