One Body & Many Parts

The Epistle reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus:

 

I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

 

But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said, ‘When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’ When it says, ‘He ascended’, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.  (Eph. 4: 1-16)

 

We, the Church, are the living body of Christ in the world, and we must be one body brought to life by the breath of the Holy Spirit. You and I are different parts of the body have different functions, yet working together as one we can bring the Good News of Jesus into people’s lives.  The Good News that they have been redeemed by Jesus and that their lives have a profound meaning and purpose wherein each of us is called to live our lives in the presence of God so that ultimately we will be in the very presence of God.

 

Let us pray:  Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

It is hurricane season!  Are you ready?  Make sure that youR home insurance is up to date and that you have an evacuation plan.  Remember that St. James Episcopal Church in Austin is a place THAT you can use as an evacuation center. 

 

Every Wednesday, the Healing Arts Ministry with Lee Runion starting at 11:00 AM with a light lunch provided.

 

The Seaside Seniors meet every third Thursday of the month in Sutton Hall at 1100 AM.

 

The Adult Christian Education series continues: “The Resurrection: Now What?”  We have explored how the Bible came to be and now we will explore the Patristic period and the Nicene Creed.  Come join us at 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings.

 

Gospel by the Sea is 14 June at 6 PM at Greater St. Matthew’s Baptist Church, 6333 Highway 6, Hitchcock, Texas 77563.

 

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List and especially Pat, Patricia, Julie for her quick recovery, and all of those who are serving in the Armed Forces.

 

 Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550