The Humility of God

The Gospel appointed for this Wednesday in the second week of Advent is taken from Matthew where we read:

 

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.  (Mt. 23:1-12)

 

The last line of the passage is particularly striking especially in Advent where we wait in hopeful and joyful anticipation for the coming of the Word Incarnate.  “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”  The second person of the Trinity, the Son, he through whom all things were made, humbles himself to become one with us, to become the Suffering Servant Isaiah spoke about, to live and die and we do, and ultimately, to be exalted after the Resurrection when he ascends to the Father’s right hand.  Jesus lived out today’s Gospel passage.  He calls you and me to humble ourselves and to be servants to all of God’s people.

 

Let us pray:  Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

This Sunday, the 3^rd Sunday in Advent, the Galveston Heritage Chorale will provide the music for the Eucharist.

 

We continue this Sunday at 11 a.m. with A World Awaits, Advent Reflections by C.S. Lewis.

 

The Seaside Seniors will have their Christmas Party in Sutton Hall at St. Augustine’s where St. Nicholas will give out gifts and the Children’s Choir from St. Vincent’s House will provide holiday cheer.

 

On the 4^th Sunday of Advent we will have a pot luck lunch following the Eucharist.

 

Christmas Eve Eucharist Rite II will be at 4 PM.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550