And They Were Called Christians

The Daily Prayer of the Church continues with the Acts of the Apostles and the story of the infancy of the Church:

 

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

 

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:19-30).

 

“It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.”  Antioch was founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Antioch’s geographic, military and economic location, particularly the spice trade, the Silk Road, the Persian Royal Road, benefited its occupants, and eventually it rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the Near East and as the main center of Hellenistic Judaism.  As a result of its longevity and the pivotal role it played in the emergence of both Hellenistic Judaism and Early Christianity, Antioch was called “the cradle of Christianity.” It was once a great metropolis of 500,000 people, but its significance declined during the Middle Ages because of repeated earthquakes, the Crusaders’ invasions, and a change in trade routes following the Mongol conquests, which then no longer passed through Antioch from the far east.

 

Notice that when there was a famine, the “Christians” decided that they would send relief to the believers living in Judea.  They decided to help their brothers and sisters in need.  This was a hallmark of the “Christians”—they helped those who were in need.  You and I should follow the example that they set for us nearly 2000 years ago.

 

Let us pray:  Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Paint to the Music: the week of 25 July from 10 am to 1 pm at Bright-Davies Hall, the Art Room.

 

Contemporary Moral Issues: 11:00 a.m. on Sundays.  We will do foundational work for the first 2 weeks and then discuss moral issues by topic.

 

The Seaside Seniors will meet this Thursday for lunch starting at 11:00 a.m. and then there will be dancing from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday evening.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Speaking From Personal Experience

The Daily Prayer of the Church continues with the Acts of the Apostles and we hear Peter, who in the past had foot in mouth disease, today is eloquent in his preaching of the Good News of Jesus because he is sharing his own personal experience of Jesus Christ who died for Peter and rose from the dead:

 

Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

 

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days. (Acts 10:34-48).

 

The Good News of Jesus has a way of filling people’s hearts, filling all of those empty spaces that we yearn to fill with the knowledge that we are loved.  Peter and the rest of the Apostles spoke from their own experience regarding how Jesus loved them so much so that he gave his life not only for them, but for the people who heard Peter preaching, and for us today who heard those words again from those who has experienced Christ in their lives. 

 

Let us pray:  Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMIDNERS

 

From Lee Runion: We will not be having the Friday night art and wine class because of an opening at Lawndale Gallery that Lee will be attending. Saturday the art room will be open from 10 am to 1pm for anyone who wants to come. This will be an unconstructed free time to work on whatever projects you want to, or want to finish.

 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so, and you can help Lee out this summer with the art week, please do so.  We have 8 children signed up thus far.  If you know of someone who would like to attend, please encourage them to sign up with Lee.

 

Seaside Seniors: Thursday, 18 July 2013 for lunch, and dancing in the evening from 7 pm to 9 pm.

 

Summer Adult Christian Education: Contemporary Moral Issues.  I’ll have handouts this Sunday and we will begin the Sunday after.

 

Please pray for everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Prayer Is Answered

We continue today with the Acts of the Apostles and we read about Peter’s Gentile visitors:

 

Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Look, three men are searching for you. Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.’ So Peter went down to the men and said, ‘I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?’ They answered, ‘Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.’ So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.

 

The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, ‘Stand up; I am only a mortal.’ And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, ‘You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?’

 

Cornelius replied, ‘Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. He said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.” Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.’  (Acts 10:17-33)

 

I wonder what Cornelius’ prayer was.  Was Cornelius undergoing some terrible thing in his life?  Was Cornelius looking for answers?  Had Cornelius reached the height of his military profession and asked himself whether this was all that there was in life?  Had Cornelius heard about Jesus and his followers and did he ask God what he should do with his life?  We don’t know from the context of the narrative, but we do know that God answered his particular prayer whatever that may have been. 

 

God is the same way we us.  All we have to do is prayer, to open our hearts, minds and souls to the movement of God in our lives, and God will answer our prayer.  Perhaps not in the way we expect it or want it answered, but in a way that in the end will make us whole.

 

Let us pray:  For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God's work. It is God who through Christ has won us back and given us a share in this work of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5: 17-18

 

CALENDAR REMIDNERS

 

From Lee Runion: We will not be having the Friday night art and wine class because of an opening at Lawndale Gallery that Lee will be attending. Saturday the art room will be open from 10 am to 1pm for anyone who wants to come. This will be an unconstructed free time to work on whatever projects you want to, or want to finish.

 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so, and you can help Lee out this summer with the art week, please do so.  We have 8 children signed up thus far.  If you know of someone who would like to attend, please encourage them to sign up with Lee.

 

Seaside Seniors: Thursday, 18 July 2013 for lunch, and dancing in the evening from 7 pm to 9 pm.

 

Summer Adult Christian Education: Contemporary Moral Issues.  I’ll have handouts this Sunday and we will begin the Sunday after.

 

Please pray for everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

"Rise Peter, Slay and Eat!"

 

 

The Daily Prayer of the Church continues with the Acts of the Apostles.  Today we hear about Peter’s struggle with the Jewish dietary laws and their place within Christianity:

 

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’ He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ He answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.’ When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

 

About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. (Acts 10:1-16)

 

The Church was growing. There were, to say the least, some growing pains. There were Gentile Christians now.  The Jewish Christians wanted the Gentile Christians to follow the Jewish laws, including the dietary laws.  How would the issue be resolved?  Paul said that the Gentiles should not be expected to follow the Jewish laws of circumcision and the dietary laws; after all, Jesus had fulfilled the law and Jesus was calling people to more than following the Jewish dietary laws.  Peter, on the other hand, did not quite see it that way.  Today we see how God resolves the issue for Peter.  Peter is hungry, and then he has a vision of food but it is food that is prohibited by the Jewish dietary laws.  Peter hears a voice telling him to eat what is before him.  Peter declines.  Then Peter hears a voice: “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times.  Peter finally gets the message. 

 

Sometimes you and I are like that as well.  We may be pressured in a certain direction not knowing what we really ought to be doing.  Prayer is the way to find the answer.  But prayer involves listening; we must listen to what God is saying to us.  Just like Peter, we may decline God’s offer, but it we listen with an open heart, eventually, just like Peter, we’ll get the message.

 

Let us pray:  Gracious God, send your Holy Spirit to make us still, to open the ears of our hearts, minds and souls to your Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, that we may become more like him.  We pray that we may be patient with ourselves and that we allow ourselves to be quiet to hear your whispering voice.  Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

From Lee Runion: We will not be having the Friday night art and wine class because of an opening at Lawndale Gallery that Lee will be attending. Saturday the art room will be open from 10 am to 1pm for anyone who wants to come. This will be an unconstructed free time to work on whatever projects you want to, or want to finish.

 

If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so, and you can help Lee out this summer with the art week, please do so.  We have 8 children signed up thus far.  If you know of someone who would like to attend, please encourage them to sign up with Lee.

 

Seaside Seniors: Thursday, 18 July 2013 for lunch, and dancing in the evening from 7 pm to 9 pm.

 

Summer Adult Christian Education: Contemporary Moral Issues.  I’ll have handouts this Sunday and we will begin the Sunday after.

 

Please pray for everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

God Is Not For Sale

The story of the early Church continues in today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles. We hear about Simon who offers Peter and John money so that he can do what they do:

 

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.’

 

Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.  (Acts 8: 14-25).

 

You may have heard of “simony” which is the purchase of a position of authority within the Church.  That word has its roots in today’s reading where Simon wants to buy the ability to give the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands.  Look at what Peter says in response: “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.”  Simon gets it wrong on a number of levels.  First, the gift of the Holy Spirit is freely given. God is not for sale.  Second, the life of ministry is a servant’s life; it does not make one rich. If one becomes wealthy in ministry, they are bound by the chains of selfishness and self centeredness.  Be on guard against such ministers.

 

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, since the time of the Apostles you have inspired the Church to commission through the Holy Spirit certain members to assist in a special way in the pastoral mission of Christ. Bless all ordained ministers that they may be humble and faith-inspired in their service.  We ask this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially the families of the 19 firefighters who died in Arizona, for all of those who are traveling, and for Jillian’s brother, David.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

If I Was on Trial for Being a Christian, Would There Be Enough Evidence to Convict Me?

 

The Daily Office, the daily prayer of the Church, continues with the spread of the early Church as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles.  We pick up where we left off yesterday, with Stephen’s death:

 

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

 

Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.

 

Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.  (Acts 8: 1-13).

 

When it gets tough, what do we do?  St. Luke tells us that after Stephen, the first deacon and martyr was killed, Saul began to persecute the Christians with vehemence.  Saul and his henchmen entered house after house dragging believers away.  What would we do in such a situation?  Although in this country we are not put to the test in the same way as our Christian brothers and sisters are in Pakistan, parts of Africa or Egypt who pay for their faith with their lives, you and I are nevertheless called to be bold in our beliefs.  When it comes time to stand up and do the Christian thing, do I run away fearful of what others may think of me.  I would like to think that I would be bold, but if I take time to reflect, I am afraid that I would come up short.  Perhaps you do too.  When others are being uncharitable to someone who is different, someone who does not fit in, do I stand up for that person or am I content to silently skulk away?  Or to put it another way, if I was put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me?  St. Luke tells us that even though they were scattered, the early Christians “went from place to place, proclaiming the word.”   Let us pray for grace to be able to do the same.

 

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our  being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by  your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our  life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Is It Possible to Forgive?

The Daily Office continues with the account of Stephen’s defense, and today his death, as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles:

 

‘Our ancestors had the tent of testimony in the wilderness, as God directed when he spoke to Moses, ordering him to make it according to the pattern he had seen. Our ancestors in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors. And it was there until the time of David, who found favor with God and asked that he might find a dwelling-place for the house of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?”

 

‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’

 

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died. And Saul approved of their killing him.

 

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.  (Acts 7:44-8:1).

 

While he is on the verge of death, Stephen does exactly what Jesus did from the cross; he forgave those who were killing him.  The last words on Stephen’s lips were: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Many of us find it nearly impossible to forgive someone for some perceived slight, yet Stephen was so transformed by his encounter with Jesus that he was able to do what many consider to be the impossible, he forgave his murderers.  How could Stephen have done that?  Stephen believed that through Jesus his sins had been forgiven; he was in a right relationship with God.  If God could forgive Stephen, certainly Stephen believed that he was called by Jesus to forgive others just as he had been forgiven.  And so he does, perhaps remembering that Jesus told the Apostles that nothing is impossible with God.   Someone who was in the crowd that day, Saul, will soon encounter Jesus himself, and his life will be transformed as well and what Saul considered to be impossible will be brought to life.  Stay tuned in.

 

Let us pray:  Grant, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of thy truth, we may steadfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Spirit, may learn to love and bless our persecutors by the example of thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succor all those who suffer for thee, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550