On this Monday in the week of
Easter, we hear from Paul’s first letter to the Church in Corinth where he
writes:
Now I
should remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to
you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also
you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to
you—unless you have come to believe in vain.
For I
handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was
buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the
scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he
appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of
whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to
all the apostles. Last of all, as to someone untimely born, he appeared also to
me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because
I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his
grace towards me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than
any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether
then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. (1 Cor. 15:1-11).
Paul presents the Good News in
short form and he also recounts the experience of the Risen Jesus. Here is the Good News: Christ died for our
sins, he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day. Then Paul tells of the Apostles’ experience
of the Risen Jesus, and then others who were witnesses to the Risen Jesus. Paul also tells us of his encounter with the
Risen Christ. The resurrection is a
reality! The Apostles and Paul dedicated
the rest of their lives to the reality of the Resurrection, and they gave their
lives for it. During this Easter Season (the 50 days to Pentecost), you and I
should meditate on the reality of this history changing event. Alleluia Christ is risen! The Lord is risen
indeed! Alleluia!
Let us pray: Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who
celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting
joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR
REMINDERS
THE BIG BBQ IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER—SATURDAY, 3 MAY! Tell all of
your friends and neighbors about it—spread the word! This year we will
have 8 pit masters including our own Neil “Bigmista” Strawder.
Please remember everyone
on our Prayer List.
Your
servant in Christ,
The
Rev. Chester J. Makowski, Vicar
St.
Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston,
Texas 77550
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