Wednesday, May 9, 2012

St. Gregory of Nazianzus: Theolgian During Troubled Times

Today on the calendar of saints, the Church remembers St. Gregory of Nazianzus (330-389), a Bishop who was very instrumental in shaping the theology of the Church. 

The traditional list of the “Doctors” (great teachers or theologians) of the Church has 8 people on it: Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, Gregory the Great, Athanasius of Alexandria, John Chrysostom, Basil the Great, and Gregory of Nazianzus. 

Great people always seem to run in packs.  Gregory of Nazianzus, his friend Basil the Great, and Basil’s brother Gregory of Nyssa, are jointly known as the Cappadocian Fathers (Cappadocia is a region in what is now Central Turkey).  During a turbulent time in the Church, these individuals were able to navigate through the troubles.  The great controversy of the day centered on the nature of Jesus Christ.  Was he simply a man?  Was he God?  Was he both a man and God?  Gregory taught that Jesus was true God and true man; God with us in all things, including our humanity.

Gregory had a clear insight into the nature of God both from a theological and practical viewpoint. He was famous for his writings on the Trinity and loved to write about the mysteries of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. According to Gregory, the desire for God is a precious jewel that fascinates God as if it were the only thing in the world. God cannot resist inundating us with grace through our sincere requests almost to the point that nothing will be refused if we ask with confidence, expectation and hope.

Let us pray:  Almighty God, who have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Gregory of Nazianzus, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who live and reign for ever and ever.    Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

ART CLASS WITH LEE RUNION: Friday, 11 May and Saturday, 12 May—Stepping Stones.  There is a $10 charge for supplies.  Please call Lee at 409-539-4632 so that he can make sure that there will be enough supplies. We need about 10 more stones to finish the garden walk way.

MOTHER’S DAY, 13 MAY 2011-Please join in celebrating our Mothers. We will also bless the newly planted trees after the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist.

PLEASE REMEMEBR EVERYONE ON OURPRAYER LIST, including Sharon Yesland, Betty Heberling, Lee’s mother, Melva’s sister, Rosella Watson (who died last week) and her family, and all of 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

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