The reading from the Daily office continues today with the aftermath of Peter’s escape from prison:
When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” And immediately because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark. (Acts 12: 18-24).
Herod was an angry man. He took his anger out on the Christians, on the prison guards, the people of Tyre and Sidon, and more likely than not on himself. Anger is a destructive force. It destroys those who are on the receiving end of someone’s anger. It also destroys the angry person. Anger eats away at who we are. Anger eats at us from the inside out. Acts’ description of Herod’s death is fitting, “he was eaten by worms and died.”
Do you ever let anger eat away at you? Do you lash out at others out of anger? Do you let anger control your thoughts and feelings? God invites us to let go of our anger and to turn it over to Christ who brings peace to our souls. If you are angry, give it over to Christ and ask for his peace which passes all understanding.
Let us pray: peaceful Father, you know that sometimes we put our energy into being angry rather than praising You for Your goodness and love. Jesus, who hung on the cross for us, forgave those who crucified him; Christ was not angry with them. May we follow Christ’s example and let go of the anger in our lives and be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we may be better followers of Your Son. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.
Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.
2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
When morning came, there was no small commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. When Herod had searched for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered them to be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there.
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they came to him in a body; and after winning over Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for a reconciliation, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat on the platform, and delivered a public address to them. The people kept shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a mortal!” And immediately because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
But the word of God continued to advance and gain adherents. Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark. (Acts 12: 18-24).
Herod was an angry man. He took his anger out on the Christians, on the prison guards, the people of Tyre and Sidon, and more likely than not on himself. Anger is a destructive force. It destroys those who are on the receiving end of someone’s anger. It also destroys the angry person. Anger eats away at who we are. Anger eats at us from the inside out. Acts’ description of Herod’s death is fitting, “he was eaten by worms and died.”
Do you ever let anger eat away at you? Do you lash out at others out of anger? Do you let anger control your thoughts and feelings? God invites us to let go of our anger and to turn it over to Christ who brings peace to our souls. If you are angry, give it over to Christ and ask for his peace which passes all understanding.
Let us pray: peaceful Father, you know that sometimes we put our energy into being angry rather than praising You for Your goodness and love. Jesus, who hung on the cross for us, forgave those who crucified him; Christ was not angry with them. May we follow Christ’s example and let go of the anger in our lives and be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we may be better followers of Your Son. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS:
Sunday, 12 September 2010 after the service, we will celebrate the Rev. Helen Appelberg’s 80th birthday at Grace Episcopal Church’s Jinkins Hall after the 9:00 a.m. service at St. Augustine’s.
Sunday, 19 September 2010, Rally Day. You might be surprised to find out that you already participate in a ministry at the Church. Come and discover what is going on and what you can do.
25 September, the Opening of the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. This year’s theme is “Spirit”.
2 October 2010, the St. Augustine Fish Fry! It’s back, and it will be done in conjunction with the Second Annual St. Augustine Art Show. Tickets go on sale soon.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially those serving in the Armed Forces at home or abroad, the chronically ill, those who care for the elderly, those who are traveling, and those who have no one to pray for them.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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