Friday, January 30, 2015

"I waited patiently upon the Lord."

One of the appointed Psalms for the Daily Prayer of the Church is Psalm 40 where the Psalmist prays:
 
I waited patiently upon the Lord;
         he stooped to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay;
         he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
         a song of praise to our God;
many shall see, and stand in awe,
         and put their trust in the Lord.
Happy are they who trust in the Lord!
         they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
Great things are they that you have done, O Lord my God!
         how great your wonders and your plans for us!
         There is none who can be compared with you. (Ps. 40:1-5).
 
Yesterday afternoon I landed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  After I passed through the visa station, where you pay a $10 fee to enter the country, immigration and customs, I went into the sea of humanity that ebbs and flows immediately outside the airport.  On the way into the city, I witnessed what I have on the many trips that I have had to this part of the Dominican: discalced women carrying cargoes of various sorts on their heads, rows of shacks passing for housing, donkeys pulling carts, and as I get closer to the city, the many dwelling in great poverty gated off from the few vastly wealthy who dwell behind barbed wired fences so that the 2 worlds will not collide.  When I switched on the evening news, the story was all about the entrenched corruption here and the start of a major corruption trial. This has been the history of this place for over 500 years when Columbus first set foot on the island of Hispanola.  As I am surrounded by this human history, the words of the Psalmist echo in my head:
 
I waited patiently upon the Lord;
         he stooped to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay;
         he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
         a song of praise to our God…
 
In the midst of natural beauty and abundance, the vast majority of the populace here is waiting patiently for the Lord, for God to stoop down and hear their cry, to pull them out of the desolate pit.  Sadly enough, throughout the years it has been the institutional church which has helped those in power to keep them in the pit.  What are we as Christians called to?  Are we called to throw our lot in with those who use their power to accumulate more wealth and to keep others in the pit, or are we called to something different?  Are we called to help put a new song on the lips of the poor?  What do we do in our own lives which oppress those around us?
 
Let us pray: Gracious God, you have told us that you hear the cry of the poor, and that you seek not sacrifice but hearts turned toward you which acknowledges that every human being is made in your likeness and image. Send the Holy Spirit to give us the grace to live into your call for us to be more like your Son Jesus and to put a new song on the lips of the oppressed.  Amen.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

St. John Chrysostum

Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of St. John Chrysostum, who served as Bishop of Antioch and Constantinople.  James Kiefer writes:
 
John was called "Chrysostom" ("Golden Mouth") because of his eloquence. He was a priest of Antioch, and an outstanding preacher. (Audiences were warned not to carry large sums of money when they went to hear him speak, since pickpockets found it very easy to rob his hearers -- they were too intent on his words to notice what was happening.) His sermons are mostly straightforward expositions of Holy Scripture (he has extensive commentaries on both Testaments, with special attention to the Epistles of Paul), and he emphasizes the literal meaning, whereas the style popular at Alexandria tended to read allegorical meanings into the text. He loved the city and people of Antioch, and they loved him. However, he became so famous that the Empress at Constantinople decided that she must have him for her court preacher, and she had him kidnapped and brought to Constantinople and there made bishop. This was a failure all around. His sermons against corruption in high places earned him powerful enemies (including the Empress), and he was sent into exile, where he died. Along with Athanasius of Alexandria, Basil the Great, and Gregory of Nazianzus, he is counted as one of the Four Great Eastern (or Greek) Doctors of the Ancient Church. The Four Great Western (or Latin) Doctors are Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory the Great. 
 
Let us pray:  O God, who gave to your servant John Chrysostom grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellency in preaching, and fidelity in ministering your Word, that your people shall be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Diocesan Council in the Woodlands, Texas, 6 & 7 February 2015.  Michelle Allen will be our lay delegate.
 
Sunday, 8 February at 11 AM: training for Lay Eucharistic Visitors.
 
Sunday, 15 February at 11 AM: Adult Christian Education, Dr. Ahmed will join us to conclude Focus on Islam.
 
Tuesday, 17 February, Mardi Gras in Sutton Hall hosted by our own King and Queen of Mardi Gras, Bill and Tammie Taylor. 
 
Wednesday, 18 February, Ash Wednesday, 6 PM with Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist.
 
Al-Anon in Spanish meets Thursday evenings at 6 PM in Sutton Hall.
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Anniversary of Priestly Ordination & St. Agnes' Day

Today is the anniversary of my priestly ordination, and it is also the day when the Church remembers St. Agnes who died on this day in 304.  One of the selected readings for her day is taken from the Gospel according to Matthew where we read:
 
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
 
‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Mt. 18:1-6).
 
This is a thought provoking reading on the anniversary of one’s ordination.  Being a priest is an awesome responsibility. Priests have individuals entrusted to their care. May I never lead anyone astray; may I never be a stumbling block to those entrusted to my care. May I always keep close to my heart what the Bishop told me at my ordination:
 
As a priest, it will be your task to proclaim by word and deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to fashion your life in accordance with its precepts. You are to love and serve the people among whom you work, caring alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. You are to preach, to declare God's forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God's blessing, to share in the administration of Holy Baptism and in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ's Body and Blood, and to perform the other ministrations entrusted to you.
 
In all that you do, you are to nourish Christ's people from the riches of his grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come. (BCP, p. 531).
 
Let us pray: O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Diocesan Council in the Woodlands, Texas, 6 & 7 February 2015.  Michelle Allen will be our lay delegate.
 
Sunday, 8 February at 11 AM: training for Lay Eucharistic Visitors.
 
Sunday, 15 February at 11 AM: Adult Christian Education, Dr. Ahmed will join us to conclude Focus on Islam.
 
Al-Anon in Spanish meets Thursday evenings at 6 PM in Sutton Hall.
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Fabian, Bishop & Martyr


Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of St. Fabian, who served as Bishop of Rome from 236 until his death during one of the persecutions in 250.  After Bishop Antherus died in 236, a council was convened in Rome to select his successor.  Fabian, a lay person who was not from Rome, happened to be in the crowd.  According to Eusebius, who was a historian and Bishop of Caesarea, during the election, a dove landed on Fabian’s head.  To the crowd, this strange sight recalled the gospel scene of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at the time of his baptism by John the Baptizer. The people took this as a sign that Fabian was marked out to be the new bishop, and he was at once proclaimed bishop by acclamation.

 

When Emperor Decius came to power, he ordered leading Christians to demonstrate their loyalty to Rome by offering incense to the cult images of deities which represented the Roman state. This was unacceptable to the Christians, who professed Jesus Christ as their Lord. Fabian was one of the earliest victims of Decius, dying as a martyr on this day in 250.  His broken tombstone in Rome still exists, and three words on it are still barely legible; “Fabian ... bishop ... martyr.”

 

Let us pray: Almighty God, you called Fabian to be a faithful pastor and servant of your people, and to lay down his life in witness to your Son: Grant that we, strengthened by his example and aided by his prayers, may in times of trial and persecution remain steadfast in faith and endurance, for the sake of him who laid down his life for us all, Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Diocesan Council in the Woodlands, Texas, 6 & 7 February 2015.  Michelle Allen will be our lay delegate.

 

Sunday, 8 February at 11 AM: training for Lay Eucharistic Visitors.

 

Sunday, 15 February at 11 AM: Adult Christian Education, Dr. Ahmed will join us to conclude Focus on Islam.

 

Al-Anon in Spanish meets Thursday evenings at 6 PM in Sutton Hall.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Monday, January 19, 2015

The Nation Remembers the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we as a nation remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. During this time in our nation’s history, we would do well to remember the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. King who said: “Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man’s sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.”    
 
Let us pray:  Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last; Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Diocesan Council in the Woodlands, Texas, 6 & 7 February 2015.  Michelle Allen will be our lay delegate.
 
Sunday, 8 February at 11 AM: training for Lay Eucharistic Visitors.
 
Sunday, 15 February at 11 AM: Adult Christian Education, Dr. Ahmed will join us to conclude Focus on Islam.

ESL continues this evening at 7 PM.

Al-anon in Spanish meets Thursday evenings at 6 PM in Sutton Hall.
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Thursday, January 15, 2015

In Forgiving Us, Jesus Heals Us


The appointed Gospel for the Church’s daily prayer continues where we left off yesterday; Jesus continues his healing ministry:
 
When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ At once Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these questions among themselves; and he said to them, ‘Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Stand up and take your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the paralytic— ‘I say to you, stand up, take your mat and go to your home.’ And he stood up, and immediately took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ (Mk. 2:1-12).
 
Healing and the forgiveness of sins go together hand in hand.  It is our sins that paralyze us.  Once our sins are forgiven, then we are able not only to walk but to run.  In forgiving us, Jesus heals us.
 
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, forgive us our sins, release us from suffering, and restore us to wholeness and strength.  Deliver us from all evil, preserve us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Due to the inclement weather, we have postponed our Annual Meeting to Sunday, 18 January 2015.  We will have an Italian brunch with spaghetti, salad and garlic bread!
  
Annual MLK Prayer Circle at St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, Monday, January 19, 2015 12 Noon at 2817 Alfreda Houston Blvd., Galveston, Texas.
                
We will conclude our Adult Christian Education class, Focus on Islam, on Sunday, 15 February 2015, when Dr. Ahmed will speak to us.  All are invited to attend.
 
ESL continues Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm in Sutton Hall.
 
Al-Alon in Spanish meets on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in Sutton Hall.
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially those who are ill and recovering.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Lord Jesus Come into Our Lives, Heal our Sickness, Cast Out Our Demons & Unleash the Good News

The appointed Gospel reading for today’s Daily Prayer is taken from the first written Gospel, Mark, where we read:


As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.


That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.


In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.


A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. (Mk. 1:29-45).


People are being healed, a sign that the Kingdom of God is at hand and that creation is being restored and set right, demons recognize who Jesus is and they are being cast out, and Jesus is one the move proclaiming the message and getting the Good News out to everyone!  In Mark’s Gospel it all moves with deliberate speed.  There is a new sheriff in town, and the likes of him have never been seen before.


Let us pray:  Lord Jesus, come into our lives, heal our sickness, cast out our demons and unleash the Good News in our lives so that we may serve you and the Kingdom both now and evermore.  Amen.


CALENDAR REMINDERS


Due to the inclement weather, we have postponed our Annual Meeting to Sunday, 18 January 2015.


The Seaside Seniors will meet this Thursday at 11:00 am in Sutton Hall.


Annual MLK Prayer Circle at St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, Monday, January 19, 2015 12 Noon at 2817 Alfreda Houston Blvd., Galveston, Texas.


We will conclude our Adult Christian Education class, Focus on Islam, on Sunday, 15 February 2015, when Dr. Ahmed will speak to us.  All are invited to attend.


ESL continues Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm in Sutton Hall.


Al-Alon in Spanish meets on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in Sutton Hall.


Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially those who are ill and recovering.


Your servant in Christ,


Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers: Defender of the Faith


Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, who was born in 315 and died on this day in 367.  He lived during the time of the great Christological controversies, St. Athanasius taught that the Son is fully God, equally with the Father, and Arius, who denied this.  Hilary supported Athanasius position and they won the day. 
 
When the Emperor Constantius (one of Constantine’s sons), who sided with Arius, wanted Hilary to sign a condemnation of Athanasius, Hilary refused.  The price he paid was exile was 3 years.
 
Hilary is an example of someone who stuck to his beliefs in spite of the fact that the powers that be applied pressure on him to change his mind.
 
Let us pray: O Lord our God, who raised up your servant Hilary to be a champion of the catholic faith: Keep us steadfast in that true faith which we professed at our baptism, that we may rejoice in having you for our Father, and may abide in your Son, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; who live and reign for ever and ever.  Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Due to the inclement weather, we have postponed our Annual Meeting to Sunday, 18 January 2015.
 
The Seaside Seniors will meet this Thursday at 11:00 am in Sutton Hall.
 
Annual MLK Prayer Circle at St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, Monday, January 19, 2015 12 Noon at 2817 Alfreda Houston Blvd., Galveston, Texas.
 
We will conclude our Adult Christian Education class, Focus on Islam, on Sunday, 15 February 2015, when Dr. Ahmed will speak to us.  All are invited to attend.
 
ESL continues Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm in Sutton Hall.
 
Al-Alon in Spanish meets on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in Sutton Hall.
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially those who are ill and recovering.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Monday, January 12, 2015

Ordinary Time


The rhythm of the Church’s liturgical seasons reflects the rhythm of life with its celebrations of anniversaries and its seasons of quiet growth and maturing.  Now that the Christmas season is officially over with the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, we are in the season of ordinary time.  After the pivotal event of Jesus’ baptism, he now begins his public ministry. 
 
Ordinary Time is celebrated in two segments: from the Monday following the Baptism of Our Lord up to Ash Wednesday, and from Pentecost Monday to the First Sunday of Advent. Ordinary time is the largest season of the Liturgical Year.  The vestments and altar hangings are green, the color of hope and growth. During this time we are invited to pray over and to meditate upon Jesus Christ, the life of his public ministry, his teachings in the light of the miracle of God with us and his Resurrection. 
 
If you and I are to mature in the spiritual lives, we must descend the great mountain peaks of Christmas and Easter in order to “pasture” in the green meadows of ordinary time.
 
On this first Monday in ordinary time, we remember the life and ministry of St. Aelred who was born in 1109 in Durham, England and died in 1167 when he became abbot of Rievaulx in Yorkshire, England.  He is known for his spiritual writings.
 
Let us pray:  Almighty God, you endowed the abbot Aelred with the gift of Christian friendship and the wisdom to lead others in the way of holiness: Grant to your people that same spirit of mutual affection, that, in loving one another, we may know the love of Christ and rejoice in the gift of your eternal goodness; through the same Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Due to the inclement weather, we have postponed our Annual Meeting to Sunday, 18 January 2015.
 
The Seaside Seniors will meet this Thursday at 11:00 am in Sutton Hall.

Annual MLK Prayer Circle at St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, Monday, January 19,2015 12 Noon at 2817 Alfreda Houston Blvd., Galveston, Texas. 
 
We will conclude our Adult Christian Education class, Focus on Islam, on Sunday, 15 February 2015, when Dr. Ahmed will speak to us.  All are invited to attend.
 
ESL continues this evening from 6 pm to 8 pm in Sutton Hall.
 
Al-Alon in Spanish meets on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in Sutton Hall.
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially those who are ill and recovering.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550