St. Mark the Evangelist

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

The book of Acts mentions a Mark, or John Mark, a kinsman of Barnabas (Col 4:10). The house of his mother Mary was a meeting place for Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). When Paul and Barnabas, who had been in Antioch, came to Jerusalem, they brought Mark back to Antioch with them (12:25), and he accompanied them on their first missionary journey (13:5), but left them prematurely and returned to Jerusalem (13:13). When Paul and Barnabas were about to set out on a second missionary journey, Barnabas proposed to take Mark, but Paul thought him unreliable, so that eventually Barnabas made one journey taking Mark, and Paul another journey taking Silas (15:36-40). Mark is not mentioned again in Acts. However, it appears that he became more reliable, for Paul mentions him as a trusted assistant in Colossians 4:10 and again in 2 Timothy 4:11.

The Apostle Peter had a co-worker whom he refers to as "my son Mark" (1 Peter 5:13). Papias, an early second century writer, in describing the origins of the Gospels, tells us that Mark was the "interpreter" of Peter, and that he wrote down ("but not in order") the stories that he had heard Peter tell in his preaching about the life and teachings of Jesus.

The Gospel of Mark, in describing the arrest of Jesus (14:51f), speaks of a young man who followed the arresting party, wearing only a linen cloth wrapped around his body, whom the arresting party tried to seize, but who left the cloth in their hands and fled naked. It is speculated that this young man was the writer himself, since the detail is hardly worth mentioning if he were not.

Tradition has it that after the death of Peter, Mark left Rome and went to preach in Alexandria, Egypt, where he was eventually martyred.

It is natural to identify the John Mark of Acts with the Gospel-writer and interpreter of Peter, and this identification is standard in liturgical references to Mark. However, "Mark" is the commonest of Latin first names, and they may well have been separate persons.

Mark's symbol in art is a Lion, usually winged. In the book of Revelation, the visionary sees about the throne of God four winged creatures: a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle. (Compare with the cherubs in Ezek 1 and 10.) It has customarily been supposed that these represent the four Gospels, or the four Evangelists (Gospel-writers). One way of matching them is to say that the man stands for Matthew, whose narrative begins with the human genealogy of Jesus; that the lion stands for Mark, whose narrative begins with John the Baptist crying out in the desert (a lion roars in the desert); that the ox, a sacrificial animal, stands for Luke, whose narrative begins in the Temple, and that the eagle stands for John, whose narrative begins in Heaven, with the eternal Word. How old this correspondence is I do not know. I have seen it in an illustrated Gospel-book from the early 800's. An alternative assignment, which I think to be far more recent, calls Matthew the lion (because he portrays Christ as the Messiah, the fulfilment of Jewish prophecy, "the lion of the tribe of Judah"), Mark the ox (because he portrays Christ the servant, constantly doing the work for which he was sent), Luke the man (because he portrays the humanity and compassion of Christ), and John the eagle (because he portrays Christ as the eternal Word, who came down from Heaven).

Let us pray:  Almighty God, who by the hand of Mark the evangelist have given to your Church the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God: We thank you for this witness, and pray that we may be firmly grounded in its truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

This is the BIG WEEKEND—the 3^rdAnnual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013. We start serving at 11:00 a.m.!

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright. Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Caroline Furlong as she grieves the death of her husband, Randy, and for Randy's entire family; we pray for Lou, Virginia, Hal, Hazel, Peggy, all of the victims of the bombings in Boston and the victims of the explosion in West.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

 

Listen to the Whisper of God's Voice

The appointed Gospel reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from the sixth chapter of Luke where we hear about Jesus calling the first disciples:

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.  Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. (Lk. 6. 12-26).

Jesus picks his 12 disciples only after he has prayed. How many times have you prayed before a big decision? Often when we pray we do a little too much talking.  Prayer also, and perhaps more importantly, involves listening.  It is in the silence that we hear God.  When you pray, take time to listen to what God is saying to you.  Listen for God whisper of God’s voice.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

3^rdAnnual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013. Here is a link to the Houston Press’s article about the upcoming event: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/celebrity_pitmaster_neil_bigmi.php

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright. Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Caroline Furlong as she grieves the death of her husband, Randy, and for all of Randy’s family; we pray for Lou, Virginia, Hal, Hazel, all of the victims of the bombings in Boston and the victims of the explosion in West.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Sing A New Song!

The Psalm appointed for the Eucharist today is Psalm 96 where the Psalmist prays:

O sing to the Lord a new song;

   sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
   tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
   he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
   but the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before him;
   strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
   ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
   bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
   tremble before him, all the earth.

Let us all sing to the Lord a new song for God has done mighty deeds for us!  What a song of praise this is, and on a day like today where on the Gulf Coast we are witnesses to the beauty of God’s creation, let us all sing a new song indeed. 

Let us pray: O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works; that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

On the Occasion of the Death of Randy Furlong who died on Friday at 4:15 p.m.  Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Randy. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright. Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

 

Community Garden Meeting on Saturday, 20 April 2013: the next garden meeting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. We'll have potluck at noon, and try to get updates and do some planning for the garden. I sent in the form to be on the Clean Galveston Backyard Garden Tour on June 1 and 2.

3^rdAnnual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013. Here is a link to the Houston Press’s article about the upcoming event: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/celebrity_pitmaster_neil_bigmi.php

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Lou, Virginia, Hal, Hazel and all of the victims of the bombings in Boston.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

St. Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury

Today the Church remembers St. Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was born in 953. In 984, Alphege became abbot of Bath Abbey which was founded by St. Dunstan. In that same year, Alphege succeeded Ethelwold as bishop of Winchester where Alphege served there for about 20 years caring for the poor.

In 1006 Alphege became Archbishop of Canterbury.  Alphege was present at the council of May 1008 at which Wulfstan II, Archbishop of York, preached his Sermo Lupi ad Anglos (The Sermon of the Wolf to the English), castigating the English for their moral failings and blaming the latter for the tribulations afflicting the country.

In 1011 the Danes again raided England, and from 8–29 September they laid siege to Canterbury. The raiders succeeded in sacking the city, and Alphege was taken prisoner and held captive for 7 months. Godwine, Bishop of Rochester and Leofrun, abbess of St Mildrith’s were also captured. Canterbury Cathedral was plundered and burned by the Danes following Alphege’s capture.

Alphege refused to allow a ransom to be paid for his freedom, and as a result was killed on this day in 1012 at Greenwich.

Let us pray:  O loving God, whose martyr bishop Alphege of Canterbury suffered violent death when he refused to permit a ransom to be extorted from his people: Grant that all pastors of your flock may pattern themselves on the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep; and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

NEWS:  The Episcopal Diocese of Texas approved today a Definitive Agreement for the transfer of St. Luke's Episcopal Health System to Catholic Health Initiatives, a nationally recognized health care system.

As part of the transfer of St. Luke’s, CHI will contribute more than $1 billion to create a new Episcopal Health Foundation, which will focus on the unmet health needs of the area’s underserved population.  In addition, CHI has committed an additional $1 billion for future investment in the health system. The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, said in announcing the decision, “We are humbled to be able to preserve the legacy of St. Luke's, while also expanding the Diocesan commitment to health care.”

The name of the System will be the St. Luke’s Health System.  The transaction is expected to be completed early this summer, subject to obtaining required regulatory approvals. The Agreement includes the entire Health System: the Texas Medical Center campus, as well as suburban hospital locations in The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Pasadena and The Vintage.  CHI has committed to maintain all current physician models and all employees will continue to be employed by St. Luke’s. 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright. Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

Community Garden Meeting on Saturday, 20 April 2013: the next garden meeting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. We'll have potluck at noon, and try to get updates and do some planning for the garden. I sent in the form to be on the Clean Galveston Backyard Garden Tour on June 1 and 2.

3^rdAnnual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013. Here is a link to the Houston Press’s article about the upcoming event: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/celebrity_pitmaster_neil_bigmi.php

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Lou, Virginia, Hal, Hazel and all of the victims of the bombings in Boston.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Death Dealing Sin

The Daily Prayer of the Church continues today with the Epistle from John’s first letter where we read:

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. If you see your brother or sister committing what is not a mortal sin, you will ask, and God will give life to such a one—to those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin that is mortal; I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal.

We know that those who are born of God do not sin, but the one who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 Jn. 5:13-21).

John tells us that “All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not mortal.”  In the original Greek, this is what John writes: “πᾶσα ἀδικία ἁμαρτία ἐστίν, καὶ ἔστιν ἁμαρτία οὐ πρὸς θάνατον.” The literal translation is: “Every unrighteousness is missing the mark (sin), and there is missing the mark (sin) that leads to death.” In other words, there are sins that kill our relationship with God, while others weaken our relationship with God, but do not sever the relationship.  What kind of sins are death dealing?  There are those sins which are so contrary to God’s will, for example taking innocent life, that when we willing do it, the act literally severs our relationship with God.  Yet we must be on guard.  If we are ready to do those small acts that do not seem “that bad”, we will be primed to do ever increasingly evil things that will eventually sever our relationship with God. 

Let us pray:  O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright. Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

Community Garden Meeting on Saturday, 20 April 2013: the next garden meeting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. We'll have potluck at noon, and try to get updates and do some planning for the garden. I sent in the form to be on the Clean Galveston Backyard Garden Tour on June 1 and 2.

3^rd Annual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013. Here is a link to the Houston Press’s article about the upcoming event: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/celebrity_pitmaster_neil_bigmi.php

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Lou, Virginia, Hal, Hazel, all of the victims of the bombings in Boston and those who lost their lives and were injured in the explosion in West, Texas.

Your servant in Christ,

 

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

Conquer the World Through Faith in Christ

The appointed Epistle reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from the first letter of John where we read:

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth. There are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood, and these three agree. If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son. Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony in their hearts. Those who do not believe in God have made him a liar by not believing in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 Jn. 5: 1-12).

Take a look at the world around you.  Just a few days ago we witnessed an act of hate and cowardice in Boston when someone detonated two explosive devices which killed and hurt innocent people.  A dictator in North Korea is threatening others with nuclear force.  Even closer to home, just last week someone stabbed 14 people at Lone Star College in the Houston area.  In the midst of such tragedy and wickedness, John tells us that faith in Jesus Christ conquers the world.  Evil will always try to do its worst to God’s creation.  Just ask Jesus who died on the cross.  But in the Season of Easter, we must keep ever present in our hearts and minds that Jesus conquered death; he rose from the dead.  Put your faith in God’s love and goodness, and you will conquer the world.

Let us pray:  O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

A VERY SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY NEPHEW, STEPHEN, WHO CELEBRATES HIS 18^TH BIRTHDAY TODAY:  Watch over thy child, Stephen, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he fall; and in his heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright. Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

Community Garden Meeting on Saturday, 20 April 2013: the next garden meeting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. We'll have potluck at noon, and try to get updates and do some planning for the garden. I sent in the form to be on the Clean Galveston Backyard Garden Tour on June 1 and 2.

3^rd Annual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013. Here is a link to the Houston Press’s article about the upcoming event: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/celebrity_pitmaster_neil_bigmi.php

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Lou, Virginia, Hal, Hazel and all of the victims of the bombings in Boston.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Jesus Speaks With Authority: Do You Hear Him?

The appointed Gospel reading for the daily prayer of the Church is taken from the Gospel according to Luke where we read:

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, ‘What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!’ And a report about him began to reach every place in the region. (Lk. 4:31-37).

Jesus speaks with authority.  The word “authority” is derived from the Latin word “auctoritas”, meaning “invention”, “advice”, “opinion”, “influence”, or “command”.  Jesus speaks with influence and command.  This was a fresh and new approach.  None of the religious leaders of the day spoke with authority.  Jesus’ authority was personal; he did not receive authority from another source.  Jesus spoke with authority because through Him all things were made; He is none other than the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God.  Do you and I allow Jesus to have authority in our lives?  Do we submit to Jesus’ authority?

Let us pray:  Gracious God, You sent Your only Son to be a light to the nations, to guide us to reach Your heavenly throne.  Send Your Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the voice of Your Son, Jesus, that we nay listen to His commands and follow His voice always.  Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright. Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

Community Garden Meeting on Saturday, 20 April 2013: the next garden meeting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. We'll have potluck at noon, and try to get updates and do some planning for the garden. I sent in the form to be on the Clean Galveston Backyard Garden Tour on June 1 and 2.

3^rd Annual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013. Here is a link to the Houston Press’s article about the upcoming event: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/celebrity_pitmaster_neil_bigmi.php

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Lou, Virginia, Hal, Hazel, and all of the bombings on Boston.

 

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

Ministering to the Untouchables: Damien and Mariane

Today the Church remembers two individuals who gave their lives in the service of others, to those whom the world considered untouchable: Damien and Marianne. 

Damien was born in Belgium in 1840.  He entered the Order of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.  (A priest who was influential in my life, Fr. James Keefe, was from the same order.)  Damien went to Hawaii in 1863, and in 1873 was sent at his own request to Molokai to work among the lepers.  There he lived with the lepers, cared for them, taught them, buried them; Damien simply loved them.  Eventually, he became one of them when he contracted leprosy.  He died on this day in 1889.

 

 

 

Mother Marianne Cope was born on 23 January 1838 in Germany.  She was a Franciscan nun.  She worked, lived and died for the lepers on the island of Molokai in Hawaii starting in 1888.  She never contracted the disease, and remained serving the lepers until she died in 1918.

Let us pray:  God of compassion, we bless your Name for the ministries of Damien and Marianne, who ministered to the lepers abandoned on Molokai in the Hawaiian Islands. Help us, following their examples, to be bold and loving in confronting the incurable plagues of our time, that your people may live in health and hope; through Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Adult Christian Education: The Resurrection by Bishop N.T. Wright.  Join us at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings as we explore the ideas of the afterlife in the ancient world, what people during the time of Christ believed, what the reality of the Resurrection means for us as Christians.

3^rd Annual St. Augustine’s BBQ, Saturday, 27 April 2013.  Here is a link to the Houston Press’s article about the upcoming event:

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2013/04/celebrity_pitmaster_neil_bigmi.php

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Lou, Virginia, Hal and Hazel.

Your servant in Christ,

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550