It Is Good For Us To Be Here

The appointed Gospel reading for the daily prayer of the Church is taken from the Gospel according to Luke, and it is the familiar story of the Transfiguration:

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. (Lk. 9: 28-36).

It is good for us to be in the presence of Jesus who shows us the very face of God in a way that you and I can connect with the Divine because Jesus is both truly God and truly human.  That is true whether we are experiencing the ecstasy of the mountain top or we are in the depths of despair; it is good for us to be in Jesus’ presence.  And while you are in Jesus presence, listen to him.  Listen to Christ is good times and in bad times.  Jesus is there for you.

Let us pray:  O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Cathedral of Faith, Market Street Baptist Church on 2901 Market Street, is celebrating its 39^thanniversary on Sunday, 21 October at 3 p.m. The guest preacher will be Pastor E.R. Johnson of the Avenue L Missionary Baptist Church. The theme is “Committed to Kingdom Building” Romans 12:1. You may recall that after Hurricane Ike, Market Street Baptist Church used our sanctuary as theirs was destroyed.

"Lord, Teach Us to Pray" continues with the Bains on Sunday at 11 a.m. This is a wonderful study!

The Ladies from the Diocese of Southern Malawi are being hosted by the Taylors and St. Augustine’s is hosting a pot luck dinner for them during their visit to the Island. If you haven’t signed up to bring a dish, please do this Sunday since the dinner will be next Thursday. They will discuss with us their work in the literacy field.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Steve Poirier, Rose Daniels, Patricia Florence and Gladys Simon.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550