St. Aelred

Today the Church remembers Aelred, an abbot who died in 1167. He was born in Durham, England in 1109. He was in the court of the king of Scotland, but found the life an empty one, so he joined a Cistercian monastery at the age of 24.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux encouraged Aelred to write, and he did. The Mirror of Charity was his first book and it dealt with seeking to follow the example of Christ in all things. He also wrote Spiritual Friendship is the fullest medieval discussion of friendship and its associated virtues. He used the example from the Old Testament of Jonathan, son of King Saul, and David.

Aelred also wrote seven works of history, addressing two of them to Henry II of England, advising him how to be a good king, and declaring him to be the true descendent of Anglo-Saxon kings. Until the 20th century Aelred was generally known as a historian rather than a spiritual writer; for many centuries his most famous work was his Life of Saint Edward, King and Confessor.

In 1147, Aelred became abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Yorkshire, a post which he held until his death of kidney disease twenty years later at the age of 57.

Collect of the day: Almighty God, you endowed the abbot Aelred with the gift of Christian friendship and the wisdom to lead others in the way of holiness: Grant to your people that same spirit of mutual affection, that, in loving one another, we may know the love of Christ and rejoice in the gift of your eternal goodness; through the same Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

In addition to everyone on our prayer list, please remember the family of Pat Williams who died this morning.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Hope

Today we hear from the Letter to the Ephesians:

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Eph. 1: 15-23).

Hope is a subset of faith. The archaic meaning of the word “hope” is trust, reliance. So when Paul prays that the Ephesians may know hope, a hope that God has called them to, he is praying that they put their faith in Christ and what he has done for them, namely, the Resurrection. Paul prays for that same hope for you and me as well. He wants us to put our faith in the Resurrection of Christ which has opened for us “the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints.” In other words, Jesus raises you and me t god the Father as sons and daughters.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus Christ, we come before you in thanks for elevating us to the Father’s throne. Bring your heavenly rule into our lives and to give us the grace to be your brothers and sisters acknowledging your lordship in all we say, think and do. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

This Sunday we will be doubly blessed with the presence of the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and our own Diocesan Bishop, Andy Doyle. Please remember to park in the school parking lot if you are able to make the one block journey to the Church. Also, please get there early as we will have a number of visitors.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST.

Your servant in Christ,

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

He Lavished Grace On Us

Today we hear from the Letter to the Ephesians:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. (Eph. 1: 1-14).

During this epiphany season, the Letter to the Ephesians picks up a theme we encountered in yesterday’s readings. We have come face to face with the judge John the Baptizer spoke of, Jesus, who humbled himself to receive baptism so that righteousness could be fulfilled. In the face of Jesus we see who God is, and today’s Epistles reiterates what we heard yesterday: Jesus the judge comes to us in love, and God the Father “destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.” Jesus came to offer us reconciliation and redemption. God is not the stern judge waiting to catch us in every misstep. No, God lavishes grace on us!

Let us pray: Loving Father, we thank you today for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to be like us and with us in every way. We thank you for pouring the gift of Your Holy Spirit upon us filling us with grace upon grace until our hearts and souls are overflowing with Your bountiful love. Help us to share Your love with the world, with everyone we meet in our daily lives. Amen.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED US IN OUR PRACTICE YESTERDAY FOR THE PRESIDING BISHOP’S VISIT TO ST. AUGUSTINE.

Thank you to the newest members of the Bishop’s Committee, Alicia Gaskin and Angela Lemons, for committing to three years of service for the community. A large thank you goes to our outgoing Bishop’s Committee members, Bill Taylor, Lee Runion and Tammie Taylor.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

This Sunday we will be doubly blessed with the presence of the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and our own Diocesan Bishop, Andy Doyle. Please remember to park in the school parking lot if you are able to make the one block journey to the Church. Also, please get there early as we will have a number of visitors.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with cancer, and today is his first day of chemo. What is more than that, his wife has an interview today for a job. These friends are also friends of St. Augustine: Randy and Caroline Furlong, the artist who gifted us with the icon of St. Augustine.

The Holy Spirit is at work today. When I picked up the Daily Office, one of the Psalms appointed for today is Psalm 103. I would ask that you pray this Psalm along with me for Randy and Caroline as they start this journey today:

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all his benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he keep his anger for ever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
For he knows how we were made;
he remembers that we are dust.
As for mortals, their days are like grass;
they flourish like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
obedient to his spoken word.
Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers that do his will.
Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO FED THE VOLUNTEERS AT WILLIAM TEMPLE LAST NIGHT!

CHOIR PRACTICE FOR THE PRESIDING BISHOP’S VISIT- WHAT A WONDERFUL SOUND. I was present at the Galveston Heritage Chorale last night at their practice at the Church, and they sound absolutely wonderful.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

9 January 2011: The Baptism of the Lord. We will also celebrate the Epiphany with King Cake that Sunday provided by Rose Daniels. The Annual Parish meeting will also be held with an election for 2 Bishop’s Committee persons and a delegate to send to the 162nd Diocesan Council. Rehearsal for the Presiding Bishop’s historic visit to St. Augustine will take place after the Annual Parish Meeting.

16 January 2011: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and Bishop Doyle will visit St. Augustine. We will have two clean-up days prior to her arrival. We will also have a rehearsal on Sunday, 9 January 2011 after the Annual Meeting.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially, Randy, Caroline, Cindi, Carol, Lee, John, Bob for a speedy recovery from surgery, Jerry Runion and Pat Williams who is in ICU.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Welcome Others As Christ Welcomed You

Today is the eve of the Epiphany. The feast of the Epiphany is when Christ was made manifest to all people. If you stop to think about it, it is, in a way, a celebration of welcoming. The appointed Epistle reading for the eve of the Epiphany is taken from Paul’s Letter to the Romans:

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, ‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name’; and again he says, ‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; and again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him’; and again Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles shall hope.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rm. 15: 7-13).

Welcome one another just as Christ welcomed you. Christ came not only to the Chosen People, but the Gentiles. Jesus came for everyone, not just a select few. If Christ came for everyone, then you and I as followers of Christ must welcome everyone, even those whom others do not welcome. Christ becomes manifest to the world when we welcome others as he did.

Let us pray: Gracious Lord, open our hearts to everyone we meet. Open our eyes to see you in those we meet. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

6 January 2011 at 6 p.m.: We will feed about 30 volunteers who are working with The Episcopal Diocese of Texas Relief and Development. Please let me know what you will be bringing to this event. We have a reputation to keep up; thus far, St. Augustine’s is everyone’s favorite for food.

9 January 2011: The Baptism of the Lord. We will also celebrate the Epiphany with King Cake that Sunday provided by Rose Daniels. The Annual Parish meeting will also be held with an election for 2 Bishop’s Committee persons and a delegate to send to the 162nd Diocesan Council. Rehearsal for the Presiding Bishop’s historic visit to St. Augustine will take place after the Annual Parish Meeting.

16 January 2011: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and Bishop Doyle will visit St. Augustine. We will have two clean-up days prior to her arrival. We will also have a rehearsal on Sunday, 9 January 2011 after the Annual Meeting.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially all children throughout the world who are suffering, Randy Furlong, Cindi, Carol, Lee, John, Bob for a speedy recovery from surgery, Jerry Runion and Pat Williams who is in ICU.

Your servant in Christ,

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

Faith Is a Matter of Trust

In today’s Epistle reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we hear about the strength of faith:

By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. (Heb. 11: 23-31).

Faith is a matter of trust. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews gives us examples of Old Testament figures who put their trust in God especially during difficult times.

For some of us, trust is not easy. Some may find it difficult to trust in God because someone close to us may have betrayed our trust in the past. God, however, keeps his promises. God does not betray our trust. The people in today's reading knew that God was ever present in their lives. Let us like Moses’ parents, Moses, the people of Israel as they passed through the Red Sea, Rehab and so many others who remain nameless, put our trust in God and live by faith.

Let us pray: O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

6 January 2011 at 6 p.m.: We will feed about 30 volunteers who are working with The Episcopal Diocese of Texas Relief and Development. Please let me know what you will be bringing to this event. We have a reputation to keep up; thus far, St. Augustine’s is everyone’s favorite for food. Here is the menu thus far:

Chicken: Church
Green Salad: Pat Tate
Baked beans: Peggy Tuthill
Vegetable: Mary Makowski

9 January 2011: The Baptism of the Lord. We will also celebrate the Epiphany with King Cake that Sunday provided by Rose Daniels. The Annual Parish meeting will also be held with an election for 2 Bishop’s Committee persons and a delegate to send to the 162nd Diocesan Council. Rehearsal for the Presiding Bishop’s historic visit to St. Augustine will take place after the Annual Parish Meeting.

16 January 2011: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and Bishop Doyle will visit St. Augustine. We will have two clean-up days prior to her arrival. We will also have a rehearsal on Sunday, 9 January 2011 after the Annual Meeting.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially all children throughout the world who are suffering, Cindi, Carol, Lee, John, Bob for a speedy recovery from surgery, Jerry Runion and Pat Williams who is in ICU.

Your servant in Christ,

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

“Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.”

Happy New Year to one and all! In the Daily Office, we start this new year of 2011 with an Old Testament reading from Genesis. It is the familiar story of Jacob’s ladder. Listen to what God tells Jacob:

Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’

So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that you give me I will surely give one-tenth to you.’ (Gen. 28: 10-22).

God tells Jacob: “Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” God also tells you and me the same thing, that He is with us wherever we go. And having been born after the coming of Christ, God is with us in a way that Jacob never imagined, in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. God is with us as one of us. Just thinking about the wondrous love of God especially as expressed in Jesus is a blessed way to start the new year.

Let us pray: Ever present God and Father, we thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ; send Your Holy Spirit to be our constant companion, to sanctify us and to lead us in the way of Your Son. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

6 January 2011 at 6 p.m.: We will feed about 30 volunteers who are working with The Episcopal Diocese of Texas Relief and Development. Please let me know what you will be bringing to this event. We have a reputation to keep up; thus far, St. Augustine’s is everyone’s favorite for food.

9 January 2011: The Baptism of the Lord. We will also celebrate the Epiphany with King Cake that Sunday provided by Rose Daniels. The Annual Parish meeting will also be held with an election for 2 Bishop’s Committee persons and a delegate to send to the 162nd Diocesan Council. Rehearsal for the Presiding Bishop’s historic visit to St. Augustine will take place after the Annual Parish Meeting.

16 January 2011: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and Bishop Doyle will visit St. Augustine. We will have two clean-up days prior to her arrival. We will also have a rehearsal on Sunday, 9 January 2011 after the Annual Meeting.

PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially all children throughout the world who are suffering, Cindi, Carol, Lee, John, Bob for a speedy recovery from surgery, Jerry Runion, Pat Williams who is in ICU, and the family of the Rev. Stacy Stringer as they grieve the loss of her father.

Your servant in Christ,

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