Total Commitment

After a long absence (2 weeks), the Daily Reflections are back.  The appointed Gospel reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from the Gospel according to Luke:

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

Would-Be Followers of Jesus

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ But Jesus^* said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’  (Lk. 9: 51-62).

God demands our all; we cannot have split loyalties.  We cannot come to Church on Sunday and put on our “churchy faces” and then on Monday put on the face of the world and deal ruthlessly with others.  Following Jesus means following him all the time, not just on Sunday.

Let us pray:  Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Thursday, 16 May, Sharing Your Faith Dinner at Jo and Jim Bremer’s home.

Sunday is Pentecost!  Wear red.  We will baptize Kensleigh Paige Florence and Jeremiah James Florence.

Please remember the family of the Rev. Jody Tomberlin.  She died last Friday in Hendersonville, North Carolina.  Also, keep the family of Randy Furlong in your prayers.  His funeral service will be held today at St. Martin Episcopal Church in Houston.  Let us pray:  Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servants Jody and Randy. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, sheep of  your own fold, lambs of your own flock, sinners of your own redeeming. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

8 June 2013: Gospel by the Sea.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550