The City of God: April 2015

Monday, April 13, 2015

A Living Witness

On this Monday in the second week of Easter we hear from John’s first letter where we read:

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 Jn. 1:1-10).

Today’s reading is especially interesting following yesterday’s Gospel reading regarding “doubting” Thomas. John writes to the community as an eye witness to the Risen Jesus. There were those who were Christians who did not see the Risen Jesus as did John and the other Apostles who heard the voice of Jesus, who touched him. There was a need for those who saw the Risen Jesus to give witness to their experience of the Risen Jesus. That is what John is doing here. That faith has been passed down through time to you and to me, and we too are called to spread the Good News of the Risen Jesus to the world.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, give us the grace to proclaim your Resurrection to everyone that we meet so that they may know that you live in glory everlasting and that we await your coming in glory. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Tomorrow, 14 April 2015 at 11:30 AM we start Lunch & Learn with medical professionals from UTMB. The series will run for 5 weeks where we will learn about diabetes, obesity, heart disease, COPD and dementia. Please come to this.

Seaside Seniors, Thursday, 16 April starting at 11:30 AM.

Michael Harvey will be at St. Augustine on Tuesday, 28 April at 7 PM. Please spread the work, all are welcome.

Bigmista & Friends BBQ on Saturday, 2 May. Please spread the word for this important fundraiser.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List including Anthony Caruthers, Lauren, Angela, the members of Crisis Relief International (CRI) who have told us: "We lost the city of Queragosh (Qaraqosh). It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food to. ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working.”

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Friday, April 10, 2015

Listen to the Risen Jesus

Image result for jesus frying fish on the shore

On this Friday in Easter Week, we hear of a post-resurrection encounter the disciples had with the Risen Jesus:

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. (Jn. 21:1-14).

In the wake of Jesus’ crucifixion what do the disciples do? They go fishing! Left to their own devices, they come up empty handed. Just a sit was when Jesus calls them to be disciples, he invites them to casts their nets in a different direction. They listen to him, and find an abundant catch.

If you and I listen to the Risen Jesus and follow his instructions to us and go in a different direction, we too will have an abundant catch.

Let us pray: Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Starting Tuesday, 14 April at 11:30 AM, “Lunch and Learn” with UTMB medical professionals regarding hot medical topics for seniors and others: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, COPD and dementia. This series is in English and Spanish and will continue every Tuesday at the same time for 5 weeks.

Michael Harvey

A Galveston Island Episcopal Event

All are invited

Tuesday, April 28th

7:00 PM

at St. Augustine of Hippo

(1410 41st Street)

Michael Harvey will be joining us on the Island all the way from Great Britain. He is the founder of Back to Church Sunday, a day we have dubbed in the Diocese of Texas as Invitation Sunday. Michael has spoken across 17 countries and 5 continents about the power of invitation and ministry to visitors and newcomers. He has written the book, Unlocking the Growth which addresses the power of invitation and the potential for the church. He has recently been inducted into the College of Evangelists and become a Visiting Fellow of St. John’s College of Durham University. His humorous and engaging presentation style challenges the individual to simply invite others to church. He presented and was enthusiastically received at past Warden and Vestry Conferences, other churches and last year’s clergy conference. He is back by the invitation of Bishop Doyle and we are thrilled to have him with us for this Galveston Island Episcopal Event. You are invited. Invite others to come to this great event!

Bigmista & Friends BBQ on Saturday, 2 May.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Kristi, Theresa’s granddaughter who was burned, Liz, Angela, and those in the Middle East and Kenya.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread

The Gospel reading for the Eucharist on this Wednesday in Easter Week is taken from Luke, where 2 of the disciples who were on the road to Emmaus recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread:

Now on that same day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Lk. 24:13-35).

During this Easter season, the journey we began in Lent really continues for 50 more days until the Feast of Pentecost. In the Early Church, those preparing for baptism were walking the journey of preparation, and after being baptized on the Easter Vigil, their continued instruction in the faith and journey continued until the Feast of Pentecost when they were ready to live their lives infused with the power of the Holy Spirit. Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that we too have the Risen Christ present in the elements of Bread and Wine, blessed, broken and shared, and then we are called to live as Christ in the world proclaiming the Good News.

Let us pray: O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Michael Harvey

A Galveston Island Episcopal Event

All are invited

Tuesday, April 28th

7:00 PM

at St. Augustine of Hippo

(1410 41st Street)

Bigmista & Friends BBQ on Saturday, 2 May.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Kristi, Susan, Liz, Angela, and those in the Middle East and Kenya.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Tuesday in Easter Week

The Church’s Daily Prayer continues with Paul’s letter to the Church in Corinth where we read:

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ But when it says, ‘All things are put in subjection’, it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Cor. 15:12-28).

It always seems that right around Easter, we see stories on TV that they have found the bones of Jesus. Well, this year is no different. A story going back to 2007 has “resurrected.” In 2007, James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici made a documentary where they alleged that they found the tomb of Jesus and that shows Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, had at least one child named Judah, and, of course, that Jesus did not physically rise from the dead. Well, they’re back in the “news” again. According to The Jerusalem Post’s article on 5 April 2015, "After 150 chemical tests, Canadian-Israeli filmmaker-journalist Simcha Jacobovici and geoarcheologist Aryeh Shimron claim they’ve reached a scientific breakthrough with theological implications."

Paul is right. If Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins.

Let’s look at the rest of the story: Jesus and Joseph were common names of the time, and another ossuary bearing the same inscription [Jesus son of Joseph] was revealed by archaeologist Eleazar Levi Sukenik in a 1931 lecture in Berlin. However, this ossuary is set apart by its presence in a tomb alongside others bearing names associated with Jesus' family. The fact is that "Jesus son of Joseph" exists elsewhere in archaeological findings. 3.25% of the Jewish women in the first-century Judea had the same name of Mary. Again, this is evidence of a very common name usage. 1.Jesus, James, Judah are inscribed in Aramaic. Yose (Jose, Joseph), Maria, and Matthew are in Hebrew. "Marianmene e Mara" (Mary Magdelene) is the only one written in Greek. If the tomb is of Jesus' family, why are the inscriptions in different languages? Does this suggest that different individuals, perhaps in different times, and of different backgrounds were buried in the tomb? Remember, families used the same tomb and ossuaries for generations. Matt Slick, Has the tomb of Jesus been found?

Let us pray: O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Starting Tuesday, 14 April at 11:30 AM, lunch with UTMB medical professionals regarding hot medical topics for seniors and others: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, COPD and dementia. This series is in English and Spanish and will continue every Tuesday at the same time for 5 weeks.

Michael Harvey

A Galveston Island Episcopal Event

All are invited

Tuesday, April 28th

7:00 PM

at St. Augustine of Hippo

(1410 41st Street)

Bigmista & Friends BBQ on Saturday, 2 May.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Kristi, Susan, Liz, Angela, and those in the Middle East and Kenya.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Monday, April 6, 2015

The Kerygma

On this Monday in Easter week, the appointed epistle for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken 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).

This is the “kerygma” (Greek κήρυγμα) meaning the preaching or the message of the New Testament. It is the story of what Jesus did in a nutshell prefaced with the phrase: “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received,” and followed by the message: “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.”

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

Michael Harvey

A Galveston Island Episcopal Event

All are invited

Tuesday, April 28th

7:00 PM

at St. Augustine of Hippo

(1410 41st Street)

Bigmista & Friends BBQ on Saturday, 2 May.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Kristi, Susan, Liz, Angela, and those in the Middle East and Kenya.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Maundy Thursday: Love One Another as I Have Loved You

Today is Maundy Thursday and we read from the Gospel according to John:

Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:1-17, 31b-35).

On this day we remember Jesus command (Latin, mandatum meaning command) to love one another as he has loved us; it is the love of self-giving, of being servant to others, and so we wash eachother’s feet. It is also the day when the first Eucharist was celebrated. It is a day of intimacy.

Let us pray: Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Holy Week Schedule:

Maundy Thursday, 6 PM, foot washing, Eucharist, stripping of the altar.

Good Friday, 12 noon, Good Friday Service.

Easter Sunday 9 AM with egg hunt and pot luck lunch afterward.

Michael Harvey

A Galveston Island Episcopal Event

All are invited

Tuesday, April 28th

7:00 PM

at St. Augustine of Hippo

(1410 41st Street)

Bigmista & Friends BBQ on Saturday, 2 May.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Susan, Liz, Angela, those in the Middle East.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550