Not So Fast!

The appointed Gospel reading for the Church’s Daily Prayer is taken from Matthew and it is the “woe to you” passage; you can see why:

 

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, and you say, “If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.” Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors. You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

 

‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you, desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’ (Mt. 23:27-39).

 

Wow!  How many of us are saying to ourselves right now, “I’m glad I’m not like those scribes and Pharisees!”  Not so fast.  Think about it.  How many times in our lives have we tried to look righteous on the outside fearful of what others might think about us especially if people knew the real us, while at the same time harboring ill will toward others inside?  How many times have we followed every whim and crazy trend vowing that we would never do so?  How many times have we said that we would do one thing, and then do the complete opposite?  But there is good news!  We have one who not only comes in the name of the Lord, but is the Lord himself.  Jesus knows our weaknesses.  All we have to do is to be honest with ourselves, acknowledge them and turn to him.

 

Let us pray:  Holy God, heavenly Father, you formed me from the dust in your image and likeness, and redeemed me from sin and  death by the cross of your Son Jesus Christ.  Through the water of baptism you clothed me with the shining garment of his righteousness, and established me among your children in your kingdom.  But I have squandered the inheritance of your saints, and have wandered far in a land that is waste. Therefore, O Lord, from all my sins, I turn to you in sorrow and repentance.   Receive me again into the arms of your mercy, and restore me to the blessed company of your faithful people; through him in whom you have redeemed the world, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

IT IS HURRICANE SEASON! ARE YOU PREPARED?  MAKE SURE THAT YOUR INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE CURRENT.  THE CHURCH HAS PAID ITS INSURANCE PREMIUMS THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Children’s Summer Art Program, the “Art of Listening” starts on Monday, 21 July and ends on Friday, 25 July.  Each day we will start at 10 A.M. and end at 1 P.M. Lunch will be provided.

 

EFM Dinner on 27 July at 6 P.M. at the Taylors’ home.  Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (“EFM”) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to "Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them." EFM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service. Please come and learn about the benefits of EFM.   

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J.  Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550