Today’s Epistle reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from Paul’s first letter to the Church in Corinth, and Paul speaks about a topic that may be uncomfortable for some:
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you?
For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.
Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor. 5:1-8).
Paul is advocating good, old fashioned chastity, which in his day, and in ours, is not a very popular theme. But there is wisdom behind his thinking. The created order, of which we human beings are an integral part of, participate in the very act of creation. For the rational being, this is indeed a gift that is not to be taken lightly. Human sexuality is a gift which is to be used in a permanent relationship, one that is committed, and as sign of God’s faithfulness, a part of God’s covenant relationship with humanity. To flitter from person to person is an abuse of the gift of sexuality. God calls for a commitment where one looks for the good of the other person ahead of one’s own. It is about placing the beloved first. Paul tells us that anything outside such a permanent relationship is not healthy or holy.
Let us pray: O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Send therefore your blessing upon your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Please remember everyone one our Prayer List, and especially, Lee, Gladys, Robert, Evelyn, Jim and Shirley.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, 6 October at 11 a.m. Bring your cats, dogs, birds, lizards, fleas, or whichever of God’s creatures are a part of your home to be blessed.
The BBQ at Grace is back! After being interrupted by Ike, the tradition is back again. Saturday, 12 October 2013 from 11-3. There will be a silent auction with all sorts of wonderful items including James Avery jewelry and a bird watching cruise. Come and support our brothers and sisters at Grace Episcopal Church.
St. Vincent’s House Day, Saturday, 28 September at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent’s House with Bishop Fisher and continuing on Sunday, 29 September, with the celebration of the Eucharist at St. Augustine’s at 9 a.m. where the Rev. Kern Huff will be our main celebrant. We will follow with breakfast for all. Please come to the celebration of St. Vincent's Day and say "hello" to Kern and Becky Huff.
Adult Christian Formation: this Sunday at 11 a.m. This will be the last in the series.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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