In this last week of the Church year, we hear from Paul’s Letter to the Galatians:
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. (Gal. 6: 1-10).
You and I do not live in isolation. We live in relationship to one another both inside the community of faith and outside the community of faith. We cannot avoid one another. We one person does has an impact on others. So Paul tells us that when someone within the community sins, we are to “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” We are to be honest with others, but we are not to be harsh. So when someone transgresses, let them know, but do it in a kind way.
Let us pray: Forgiving Lord, each of us misses the mark, we all sin. Give us the spirit of repentance when we transgress and when others sins, give us the gift of justice tempered with mercy. We ask all this in Christ’s name. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
RBC Kids: Jillian and Jo want to thank our St. Aug's family for adopting the Rainbow Connection as your Christmas outreach this year. The Rainbow Connection is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving children living with cancer or blood disorders, and their families. Activities include: The Rainbow Connection Camp, community education, holiday parties, parent support activities, quarterly newsletters, and outings. We have a Christmas party for them each year, with a Santa shop where the children may choose a few gifts. As mentioned in Church, we are most in need of gift cards and gifts for teenagers. If you'd prefer, you can give a cash donation to Jillian. We will be shopping for gifts on December 12, and would appreciate having all donations in hand by then.
Advent begins on Sunday, 2 December, as well as our new Adult Christian Education series from Kerygma on Handel’s Messiah where we will explore:
Comfort, Comfort My People
Who shall Abide the Day of His Coming?
For Unto Us a Child is Born
Glory to God in the Highest
PRAYER LIST: Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially all of those who serve in the medical field, all of those who are unemployed, all of those who are alone this Thanksgiving, all of those serving in the Armed Forces who are away from home, all of those who are in the hospital during this holiday season, and for Izzola Collins, Gladys, Patricia, Betty and Duane.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
No comments:
Post a Comment