Sts. Peter & Paul: Listening to Each Other & the Holy Spirit

Today is the feast of Sts.Peter and Paul. Even though both apostles have their own feast days, today both are celebrated on this day. This dates back to 258, when under the Valerian persecution, what were believed to be the remains of the two apostles were both moved temporarily to prevent them from falling into the hands of the persecutors.

Peter and Paul agreed on the core of the faith; yet both had their disagreements, especially about the continuance of the Jewish laws and traditions with incoming Gentile Christians. In Galatians Paul writes: “When I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to Peter in front of all the others, "Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? … Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.” (Gal. 2:14, 16). After much prayer, listening to each other and the Holy Spirit, discussion and discernment, Paul’s views prevailed. Peter and Paul were able to sit down, listen to the other, and come to a decision. There has always been disagreement in the Church; however, sometimes the ability of people to listen,truly listen, to one another has been missing. Prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit is the key.

Let us pray: Almighty God,whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the HolySpirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Your servant in Christ,

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

St. Irenaues, Bishop of Lyons

Today the Church remembers and honors St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, was born around the year 125 and died around the year 202.  Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was brought up in a Christian family rather than converting as an adult.

During the persecution of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from 161-180, Irenaeus was a priest of the Church of Lyon. The clergy of that city, many of whom were suffering imprisonment for the faith, sent him in 177 to Rome with a letter to Bishop Eleuterus concerning the heresy known as Montanism (teaching that God in the Old Testament and God in the New Testament were different), and that occasion bore emphatic testimony to his merits. While Irenaeus was in Rome, a massacre took place in Lyons. Returning to Gaul, Irenaeus succeeded the martyr Saint Pothinus and became the second Bishop of Lyon.

During the religious peace which followed the persecution of Marcus Aurelius, the new bishop divided his activities between the duties of a pastor and of a missionary. Almost all his writings were directed against Gnosticism (which believes that certain people have secret knowledge regarding God and salvation). The most famous of these writings is Adversus Haereses (Against Heresies).

The purpose of Against Heresies was to refute the teachings of various Gnostic groups; apparently, several Greek merchants had begun an oratorial campaign in Irenaeus’ bishopric, teaching that the material world was the accidental creation of an evil god, from which we are to escape by the pursuit of gnosis (knowledge). Irenaeus argued that the true gnosis (knowledge) is in fact knowledge of Christ, which redeems rather than escapes from bodily existence. Until the discovery of the library of Nag Hammadi (the Dead Sea Scrolls) in 1945, Against Heresies was the best-surviving description of Gnosticism.

The central point of Irenaeus’ theology is the unity and the goodness of God.  His emphasis on the unity of God is reflected in his corresponding emphasis on the unity of salvation history. Irenaeus repeatedly insists that God began the world and has been overseeing it ever since this creative act; everything that has happened is part of his plan for humanity. The essence of this plan is a process of maturation: Irenaeus believes that humanity was created immature, and God intended his creatures to take a long time to grow into or assume the divine likeness. Thus, Adam and Eve were created as children. Their Fall was thus not a full-blown rebellion but rather a childish spat, a desire to grow up before their time and have everything with immediacy.

According to Irenaeus, the high point in salvation history is the advent of Jesus. Irenaeus believed that Christ would always have been sent, even if humanity had never sinned; but the fact that they did sin determines his role as a savior. He sees Christ as the new Adam, who systematically undoes what Adam did: thus, where Adam was disobedient, Christ was obedient even to death on the cross. Irenaeus thinks of Christ as “recapitulating” or “summing up” human life.  This means that Christ goes through every stage of human life, from infancy to old age, and simply by living it, sanctifies it with his divinity.

Let us pray: Almighty God, who upheld your servant Irenaeus with strength to maintain the truth against every blast of vain doctrine: Keep us, we pray, steadfast in your true religion, that in constancy and peace we may walk in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

INSTALLATION OF THE RECTOR AT TRINITY: Sunday, 1 July at 5 p.m.

SUMMER ART PROGRAM: Please pick up a flier and registration sheet in the narthex of the Church.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Donna Greene (Carol Hogan’s cousin) who is fighting cancer, Steve Poirier who is struggling with cancer but also approaching death.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

The Rev. Cornelius Hill

Today the Church remembers Cornelius Hill (1843-1907) who was a Native American of the Oneida tribe, ordained to the diaconate in 1895 and as priest in 1903.  He was the last of the old Oneida chiefs in Wisconsin. Hill successfully resisted government attempts to move the tribe further west. Having been an “interpreter” for Episcopal services, he was ordained by Bishop Grafton. His wisdom and sanctity are still revered by the Oneida.

As a young man, Hill spent several years at Nashotah House, where the Episcopal priests educated him and formed him in the faith, worship, and tradition of the Church. Hill was greatly respected among his people for his intelligence, courage, and ability to lead, and by his teenage years, he had already been made an Oneida chief, named Onan-gwat-go, or “Big Medicine.”

Hill’s great mentor was the Rev. Edward A. Goodnough, a missionary and teacher who had worked among the Oneidas from 1853 to 1890.

Hill was the first Oneida to be ordained a priest. At the ordination, he repeated his vows in the Oneida language.

Hill saw Christian faith as a way to help his people grapple with the profound and rapid changes which faced them, and the authority of his ordination enhanced his ability to be a bridge between Oneida and white culture.

Let us pray:  Everliving Lord of the universe, our loving God, you raised up your priest Cornelius Hill, last hereditary chief of the Oneida nation, to shepherd and defend his people against attempts to scatter them in the wilderness: Help us, like him, to be dedicated to truth and honor, that we may come to that blessed state you have prepared for us; through Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

INSTALLATION OF THE RECTOR AT TRINITY: Sunday, 1 July at 5 p.m.

SUMMER ART PROGRAM: Please pick up a flier and registration sheet in the narthex of the Church.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Donna Greene (Carol Hogan’s cousin) who is fighting cancer, Steve Poirier who is struggling with cancer but also approaching death.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

An ATM Through A USB Chord

In today’s Gospel taken from Matthew we hear a familiar parable:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’

Then Peter said in reply, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. (Mt. 19:23-30).

The importance of the parables can hardly be overestimated. They comprise a substantial part of the recorded preaching of Jesus. When Jesus preached so strikingly in parables, he did not create a new literary genre. Rather, he made brilliant use of a genre which was already of long tradition and which was familiar to all throughout the Mediterranean world. In Greece and Rome, parables were employed by rhetoricians, politicians and philosophers. Perhaps the most illustrious among those who made use of them were Socrates and Aristotle.  The parables in the Gospels fall into three groups: (1) similitude, (2) parable, and (3) exemplary story (sometimes called illustration).  All of the parables have this in common; they present an implied comparison between an experience or event from ordinary, everyday life, and a reality of the moral or religious order.

If we would put today’s parable in modern terms, it would go something like this:  It would be easier for a rich man to pull an ATM through a USB cord that it is for a rich person to enter into heaven.  Your first reaction is, “That’s crazy; it’s impossible to get an ATM through a USB cord!” Jesus says, “That’s right, it is impossible for humans to do it, but with God all things are possible.”

This picks up on yesterday’s theme—what, or who, is important to you?  What are your priorities?  If you turn your life over to God totally, not only will you get your priorities straight, but you will become a better, happier, and more complete person. It is a paradox, in giving your life over to God, you gain it.

Let us pray:  Gracious Father, with you all things are possible.  Send your Holy Spirit to give us the strength and the courage to turn over everything in our lives over to you so that we may not only follow the example of Jesus Christ, your Son, but that we may be raised to new life in him by dying to ourselves.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

INSTALLATION OF THE RECTOR AT TRINITY: Sunday, 1 July at 5 p.m.

SUMMER ART PROGRAM: Please pickup a flier and registration sheet in the narthex of the Church.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Donna Greene (Carol Hogan’s cousin) who is fighting cancer, Steve Poirier who is approaching death.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

A Matter of Priorities

The Gospel reading for today’s Daily Office is taken from Matthew; he writes:

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and mother; also, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’  Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.  (Mt. 19:13-22).

Today’s passage speaks to us about priorities.  It is no mistake that this passage starts out with the children.  Anyone who has been around children knows that they are content to play with whatever they have.  The lids of pots and pans work just as well as toy cars and dolls.  They do not need things.

What do we hold precious?  What can we not do without? What are we attached to?  Jesus knew the heart and soul of this person. Jesus knew that this person kept the Ten Commandments. He was by all accounts a good person.  The word translated as “perfect” is the Greek word “τέλειός” (teleios) which means “having reached its end, complete.”  So, Jesus says, “If you desire to be complete, sell your possessions.” We do things in faith and by faith.  The young man lacked faith in God; rather, he put his faith in his possessions.  His things were important to him, and he could not give them up, so he went away grieving.  Instead of becoming complete, he patched the hole in his soul with things.

What, or perhaps, who, is important to us?  Do you and I walk away grieving?

Let us pray:  O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of things, that we, inspired by the example of your Son, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

INSTALLATION OF THE RECTOR AT TRINITY: Sunday, 1 July at 5 p.m.

SUMMER ART PROGRAM: Please pick up a flier and registration sheet in the narthex of the Church.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Donna Greene (Carol Hogan’s cousin) who is fighting cancer, and Steve Poirier who is approaching death.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

St. Alban

Today the Church remembers and honors St. Alban.  James Kiefer writes:

There were probably Christians in the British Isles already in the first century. However, Alban is the first recorded Christian martyr. The traditional date of his death is 304, during the persecution under the Emperor Diocletian; but many scholars now date it as around 209, during the persecution under the Emperor Septimius Severus. Alban was a pagan, and a soldier in the Roman Army. He gave shelter to a Christian priest who was fleeing from arrest, and in the next few days the two talked at length, and Alban became a Christian. When officers came in search of the priest, Alban met them, dressed in the priest's cloak, and they mistook him for the priest and arrested him. He refused to renounce his new faith, and was beheaded. He thus became the first Christian martyr in Britain. The second was the executioner who was to kill him, but who heard his testimony and was so impressed that he became a Christian on the spot, and refused to kill Alban. The third was the priest, who when he learned that Alban had been arrested in his place, hurried to the court in the hope of saving Alban by turning himself in. The place of their deaths is near the site of St. Alban's Cathedral today.

Let us pray: Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

SAFEGUARDING GOD’S CHILDREN: Tomorrow, Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Sutton Hall.

SUMMER ART PROGRAM: Please pickup a flier and registration sheet in the narthex of the Church.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Donna Greene (Carol Hogan’s cousin) who is fighting cancer.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas77550

"Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven"

Today’s Gospel reading picks up where we left off yesterday:

‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray,does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ (Mt. 18: 11-20)

Holding a grudge is not healthy.  Refusing to forgive someone takes its toll on the person who won’t forgive. Jesus tells us to be up front with each other.  If you have a problem with someone, be gentle about it, but go talk to them about it. If they don’t respond, bring a few others with you from the Church to visit with them.  Jesus makes it clear,each of us has a tremendous power: “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  Exercise it well, and lean toward forgiveness—that’swhat God would have us do.

Let us pray:  Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses. Wash me through and through from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions only too well, and my sin is ever before me.  Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One,have mercy upon us.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH THE FOOD TODAY AT OUR SENIORS DAY!  I stopped by and visited our guests who visit us on the third Thursday of each month.  What a wonderful, friendly and social group of people.  Thank you to Michelle Walker who spear heads this ministry which is such a gift to so many.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

SAFEGUARDING GOD’S CHILDREN:Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Sutton Hall.

SUMMER ART PROGRAM: Please pickup a flier and registration sheet in the narthex of the Church.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially Donna Greene (Carol Hogan’s cousin) who is fighting cancer.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas77550