My Soul Clings to the Dust

One of the appointed Psalms for today is a portion of Psalm 138. The Psalmist writes:

My soul clings to the dust;
revive me according to your word.
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. (Ps. 128: 25-28).

In the midst of a draught, we certainly understand the phrase “my soul clings to the dust.” But God revives the soul. For the past 2 days we’ve had afternoon rains in New Mexico. Even as I write this, there is a light rain in El Paso. The entire Southwest and Texas have been suffering, and our souls clinging to dust, but slowly revival will come.

Let us pray: O God, heavenly Father, who by your Son Jesus Christ has promised to all those who seek your kingdom and its righteousness all things necessary to sustain their life: Send us, we entreat you, in this time of need, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth, to our comfort and to your honor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala, Sweden

In 2009, the Episcopal Church provisionally adopted this date to commemorate a Swedish Lutheran, Nathan Söderblom. James Keifer tells us that Söderblom was born in Trönö, Sweden, in 1866 and ordained in 1893. He was chaplain at the Swedish Embassy in Paris from 1894 to 1901, and earned a doctorate in comparative religion from the Sorbonne. He then became professor of the history of religion at the University of Uppsala, and in 1914 became Archbishop of Uppsala and Primate of the Church of Sweden.

The Lutheran Church in Sweden had retained the historic episcopate. Söderblom valued the liturgy and devotional tradition of traditional Catholic worship while seeing much of worth in the writings of liberal Protestant scholars. He believed it was his duty to work for a united Christendom, both catholic and evangelical, and saw practical cooperation on social issues as a promising first step. During World War I, he worked tirelessly to alleviate the conditions of prisoners of war and refugees. For this and his subsequent work for Church unity and world peace, he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1930.

In 1925, he organized the Universal Christian Council on Life and Work in Stockholm. Meanwhile, a chiefly Anglican group had formed an inter-denominational Conference on Faith and Order. In 1948, the two groups merged to form the World Council of Churches.

As Archbishop of Sweden, he was concerned to deepen the channels of communication between the Church and the laboring masses, and also between the Church and the intellectuals. He died 12 July 1931.

Let us pray: Almighty God, we bless your Name for the life and work of Nathan Söderblom, Archbishop of Uppsala, who helped to inspire the modern liturgical revival and worked tirelessly for cooperation among Christians. Inspire us by his example, that we may ever strive for the renewal of your Church in life and worship, for the glory of your Name; who with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Take Time to Pray

The appointed Gospel reading for today is taken from the Gospel according to Mark. We hear how after Jesus heals, he takes time to pray:

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. (Mk. 1: 29-39).

Jesus takes time to pray. Jesus takes time to go by himself and pray. In our busy days, it is easy to neglect prayer. After all, we have so much to do. But prayer is necessary. Prayer connects us to the ultimate reality God, in whom we live, move and have our being. Acts 17:28. Today, remember to take time and pray. Talk to God. Steep yourself in His presence.

Let us pray: Almighty God, sometimes our lives seem so busy that we forget to come into Your presence, spend time with You and talk with You. Your Son Jesus shows us how; He set time aside to be with you. Send Your Holy Spirit to inspire our hearts. Amen.

We celebrate with Jordyn Kace-Lynn Fight her Baptism and our prayers are with her and her family as they travel to Alaska.

Please also remember everyone on our prayer list.

Your servant in Christ,

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

“I love you, O Lord, my strength."

The appointed Psalm for today is Psalm 18, and it starts with the Psalmist saying: “I love you, O Lord, my strength … I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.”

How many times do we tell God that we love Him? How many times do we tell those around us, those God has put into our lives, that we love them? On both of these questions, the answer is “not often enough.”

Take some time today to tell God that you love Him, and thank God for all of those people He has placed into your life, all of those people who are a blessing to you.

Let us pray: Loving Father, sometimes we don’t tell You that we love You and appreciate all that You do for us, especially for the gift of Your Son. Send Your Holy Spirit to fill the hearts and minds of all of our loved ones. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

8 July 2011 at St. Augustine’s Sutton Hall from noon to 3 p.m. S.A.S.S. will host “A 2011 Update: The Latest Info about HIV/AIDS” with Paul Simmons, RN, ACRN, the Executive Director of Center for AIDS Houston. Lunch will be provided free of cost, and the seminar is free of cost as well. Reserve your spot today at galvestonsass@gmail.com. The luncheon on Friday July 8th has about 30 registered guest, yet we feel more will show up that have not registered. The Church is providing Sandwich platters, iced tea, lemonade, water. We need volunteers to provide, soup, salad, and desserts or fruit. We will set up the table buffet style. Please call Lee at 409 539 4632 with what you are bringing or email Lee at galvestonsass@gmail.com. Thanks! This luncheon is open to anyone who wants to attend. The largest group of new HIV/AIDS infections are among young people and seniors come to learn the statistics and get involved in the discussions.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Evelyn McNeill who is continuing to recover from surgery.

Your servant in Christ,

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

The Almighty Hears the Cries of His Loved Ones

One of the appointed Psalms for today is Psalm 5, and we hear the Psalmist’s cry to God for help:

Give ear to my words, O Lord;
give heed to my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God, for to you I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil will not sojourn with you.
The boastful will not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.
But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house,
I will bow down towards your holy temple
in awe of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
For there is no truth in their mouths;
their hearts are destruction;
their throats are open graves;
they flatter with their tongues.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of their many transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
so that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover them with favor as with a shield.

In these hot days of summer, when trouble arises, remember that the Lord is near. The Almighty is there to hear the cries of His loved ones. God who is gracious is there to give aid; He covers His people with love.

Let us pray: O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

8 July 2011 at St. Augustine’s Sutton Hall from noon to 3 p.m. S.A.S.S. will host “A 2011 Update: The Latest Info about HIV/AIDS” with Paul Simmons, RN, ACRN, the Executive Director of Center for AIDS Houston. Lunch will be provided free of cost, and the seminar is free of cost as well. Reserve your spot today at galvestonsass@gmail.com.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Evelyn McNeill who is continuing to recover from surgery.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Independence Day

Today we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day, the Fourth of July. 235 years ago today, in Philadelphia, these words were read:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. …

This Country was founded by men and women who did not leave their faith at the doors of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall. They carried their faith with them into the halls of power and were influenced by their faith in a God who loves all in equal measure. Today we celebrate the gift of this Nation and the freedom we enjoy.

Let us pray: Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant, we pray, that we and all the peoples of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

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

Lord, Sometimes I Need Help Putting Up With People

One of the appointed Psalms for today is Psalm 140. The Psalmist prays:

Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers;
protect me from those who are violent,
who plan evil things in their minds
and stir up wars continually.
They make their tongue sharp as a snake’s,
and under their lips is the venom of vipers.
Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
protect me from the violent
who have planned my downfall.
The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net;
along the road they have set snares for me.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my God;
give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications.’
O Lord, my Lord, my strong deliverer,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot.
Those who surround me lift up their heads;
let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!
Let burning coals fall on them!
Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise!
Do not let the slanderer be established in the land;
let evil speedily hunt down the violent!
I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy,
and executes justice for the poor.
Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name;
the upright shall live in your presence.

Don’t we all feel like the Psalmist from time to time—protect me from those who are evil—from the vipers. In our day to day lives, we each encounter people who can be hateful. We come across people who really are not, well, nice. There are different degrees of it too. There are some folks who are just downright bad while others are simply rude. A friend of mine was standing in line at the grocery store recently. The people in front of her had about $150 worth of groceries, but they could not afford them. They tried to put all their money together, but still couldn’t come up with the money. She said, “Let me pay for them.” It was an act of kindness. What was the response from the people whose groceries she paid for? Nothing. Not a thank you, not even a word. They were nothing short of rude, but they took their groceries and went.

The Psalmist reminds us today, and my friend who paid for the groceries, that “the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.” Our task is to follow God’s will and to live in charity with those around us. We cannot control the responses and actions of others. All we can do is to try and control our own, with God’s grace.

Let us pray: Almighty God, from time to time we encounter those in Your creation people who are not kind, people who are rude, and sometimes people who are just downright vicious. Give us the grace through Your Holy Spirit to live as Your Son Jesus would have us live, to be in charity with one another at all time. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

8 July 2011 at St. Augustine’s Sutton Hall from noon to 3 p.m. S.A.S.S. will host “A 2011 Update: The Latest Info about HIV/AIDS” with Paul Simmons, RN, ACRN, the Executive Director of Center for AIDS Houston. Lunch will be provided free of cost, and the seminar is free of cost as well. Reserve your spot today at galvestonsass@gmail.com.

Please remember everyone on our prayer list, especially Evelyn McNeill who is continuing to recover from surgery.

Your servant in Christ,

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