Today the Church remembers and honors Martha, Mary and their brother, Lazarus, who lived in the town of Bethany. From the stories about them in the Gospels, we can see that they were close friends of Jesus. You will recall the familiar story in Luke’s Gospel about one of Jesus’ visits to their home, where Martha complained that she was doing all of the work and Mary was just sitting there listening to Jesus. Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better part. (Lk. 10:38-42). One of the most dramatic stories about the three of them is in John’s Gospel where we read that Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.
What do these three people in the Gospel stories have to tell us? First, that Jesus had close friends, and that he enjoyed visiting them. Second, they tell us that different people with different gifts make up the Kingdom of God. Third, they reveal something about who Jesus is, the Son of God but also true man who wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus.
Let us pray: Generous God, whose Son Jesus Christ enjoyed the friendship and hospitality of Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany: Open our hearts to love you, our ears to hear you, and our hands to welcome and serve you in others, through Jesus Christ our risen Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE PAINT TO THE MUSIC A SUCCESS, AND ESPECIALLY TO LEE RUNION!
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Sundays at 11:00 a.m.: Adult Christian Education-Contemporary Moral Issues.
The Feast of St. Augustine will be celebrated on Sunday, 25 August 2013 starting with the Eucharist Rite II at 9:00 a.m. followed by a pot luck luncheon.
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
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