Do Not Be Discouraged

The Daily Office continues with the growth of the early Church as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles:

The next sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; and blaspheming, they contradicted what was spoken by Paul. Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”’

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the word of the Lord; and as many as had been destined for eternal life became believers. Thus the word of the Lord spread throughout the region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region. So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 13:44-52).

Paul and Barnabas proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, yet there are some who rejected it.  As we discover in Paul’s letters, this broke his heart because it was the Chosen People who rejected the Good News.  Nevertheless, the Word thrived in the hearts of the Gentiles who when they heard the Good News preached to them by Paul and Barnabas, they rejoiced. 

Not everyone who hears the Word accepts it.  Our task is to proclaim the Good News, to tell others what impact Jesus has had not only in our lives, but in the life of the world.  Do not be discouraged when some people reject it; rather, be like Paul and Barnabas, filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray:  Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Paint to the Music: starting today and going through to Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm at Bright-Davies Hall, the Art Room.

Contemporary Moral Issues: 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  Last week we discussed Plato’s and Aristotle’s approach to the purpose of life and morality.  Next week we will ask the question: “What is the purpose of life from a Christian perspective?" Then we will look at natural law, divine law and human law.

St. Augustine’s Feast Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 25 August 2013 at the 9:00 a.m. service followed by a pot luck lunch.  This is the 129^th anniversary of the church.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Henry and Marguerite as they recover from their hospital stays.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550