Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Action Follows Faith: You Will Know Them By Their Fruits

 
 
The appointed Gospel reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from Matthew:
 
‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
 
‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.
 
‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (Mt. 7:13-21).
 
Following Jesus is not easy.  There are those who start to do so, but the cares of the world, and other desires take over, and they fall away preferring the easier life with fewer demands, ethical and otherwise.  Jesus tells us that just because you say you follow Jesus does not necessarily mean that you are.  In short, actions speak louder than words.   Those who follow Jesus live a certain way; their belief and knowledge that through Christ they are saved, makes itself known in the way they live.  One follows the other; action follows faith.
 
Let us pray:  O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to thy fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; especially those on our Prayer List and T.J. Cegelski; that it may please thee to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
 
A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:  Dear all, Karen Lehr is having a birthday, and she wants to give thanks for all of those special people in her life, and the only way to do that is to have them there.  So here are the details, the celebration will be in Sutton Hall at St. Augustine’s on Saturday, 12 October at 5 p.m.  Please RSVP to penny.joann@yahoo.com.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
The 5th Annual Art Show at St. Augustine is open! Invite your friends and get the word out.  The show is only 1 week this year from the 28th of September to 6 October, and we’ll have extended hours on the 6th since it is Artwalk night.”
 
Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, 5 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.
  
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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