A Cry from the Depths of the Heart

One of the appointed Psalms for today is Psalm 130, and it is a true cry from the depths of the heart:

 
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
   Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
   to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
   Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
   so that you may be revered.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
   and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
   more than those who watch for the morning,
   more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord!
   For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
   and with him is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
   from all its iniquities.

No doubt we all feel like this from time to time.  It is the dark night of the soul, when we feel God so distant from us.   We can experience this when we fall short of what God expects of us, when we fall short of our own expectations of ourselves.  Our souls long for intimacy with God; we long for absolution, for forgiveness.  God is abundant in mercy, always ready to take us back no matter what our offenses are.  The Psalmist knows that strength of God’s love for us.  We have experienced that love in Jesus Christ, God with us.

Let us pray:  O Lord, I turn to you in sorrow and repentance.  Receive me again into the arms of your mercy, and restore me to the blessed company of your faithful people; through him in whom you have redeemed the world, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Clean-up Day at the Church, Saturday, 25 August 2012.

The Feast Day of St. Augustine will be celebrated on Sunday, 26 August starting with Eucharist Rite II at 9 a.m. We will have the Blessing of the Backpacks as well, and a luncheon after the service.

New Adult Christian Education Series starting September: Lord, Teach Us To Pray: Six Studies on the Lord’s Prayer from the Kerygma Series.  This study will be led by Jillian Bain on Sundays and by Tammie Taylor on Mondays.  Please join in this wonderful study of God’s Word.

The Roots of Christian Mysticism, a 3-Year Course of Study, Year 1, September 8, 2012 -May 4,2013,Houston,Texas.  This 3-year course offers a unique opportunity to explore, in depth, the history of Christian Mysticism. It is structured and taught by leading scholars and practitioners and focuses on the key figures of the mystical tradition. Classes will be held 1 Saturday a month for 9 consecutive months at the Dominican Sisters Spirituality Center, 6501 Almeda (at Holcombe), Houston, Texas. Annual tuition is $225.

Art in and Around St. Augustine’s:

         The 4th Annual Art Show—this year’s theme is “Peace”. 

          Art Walk at St. Vincent’s House on 25August, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially, the family of Ella Boyer, the family of Barbara Brunkhorst, Sherman, Emily, for the health of Lee Runion’s mother, Steve, Gladys, for all of those who are traveling, and for all those who are about to start anew school year.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550