Today’s epistle reading from the Letter to the Ephesians gives those who follow Christ a blueprint for daily living:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5: 1-20).
Paul says it plainly and clearly; nothing else needs to be said. The hard part is living it out, but with God’s grace, all things are possible. We should strive to live as Paul has outlined. If people lived like that, imagine what a place Galveston would be.
Let us pray. Lord God, in Your Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, you have taught us how to live as humans fully alive. Give us grace through the Holy Spirit to live as imitators of Christ following in Your Holy Word given to us in the Letter to the Ephesians. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE FEEDING THE VOLUNTEERS AT WILLIAM TEMPLE SUCH A WONDERFUL EVENT. As usual, St. Augustine put out a great spread. There were few leftovers, and our volunteer workers were thankful.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Pentecost is this Sunday, so please wear red.
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave Adult Christian Formation. In our next series, which will start Sunday, 23 May (Pentecost), we will explore Heaven and Hell.
12 June: Gospel by the Sea.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially all of those who will be baptized on Pentecost, all of those with health concerns, especially Tammie Taylor, and for all who are traveling, especially Bill Taylor, and in thanksgiving for the results of Pat Tate’s medical testing and for Lee Runion’s safe return.
You can now get the daily reflection for the growing Church website: http://www.staugustinegalveston.org/
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5: 1-20).
Paul says it plainly and clearly; nothing else needs to be said. The hard part is living it out, but with God’s grace, all things are possible. We should strive to live as Paul has outlined. If people lived like that, imagine what a place Galveston would be.
Let us pray. Lord God, in Your Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, you have taught us how to live as humans fully alive. Give us grace through the Holy Spirit to live as imitators of Christ following in Your Holy Word given to us in the Letter to the Ephesians. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE FEEDING THE VOLUNTEERS AT WILLIAM TEMPLE SUCH A WONDERFUL EVENT. As usual, St. Augustine put out a great spread. There were few leftovers, and our volunteer workers were thankful.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
Pentecost is this Sunday, so please wear red.
Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the nave Adult Christian Formation. In our next series, which will start Sunday, 23 May (Pentecost), we will explore Heaven and Hell.
12 June: Gospel by the Sea.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially all of those who will be baptized on Pentecost, all of those with health concerns, especially Tammie Taylor, and for all who are traveling, especially Bill Taylor, and in thanksgiving for the results of Pat Tate’s medical testing and for Lee Runion’s safe return.
You can now get the daily reflection for the growing Church website: http://www.staugustinegalveston.org/
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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