St. John of the Cross, Mystic

In this Wednesday in the third week of Advent, the Church remembers St. John of the Cross who was born in Spain in 1542 as Juan de Yepes Alvarez. Although John was a Roman Catholic priest of the Carmelite order who lived during the time the Reformation, he is still honored by the Anglican Communion because of his life of prayer and his works on mystical theology. He is considered one of the foremost poets in the Spanish language. Two of them, the Spiritual Canticle and Dark Night of the Soul are considered by many to be among the best poems ever written in Spanish.

John of the Cross also wrote four treatises on mystical theology, two of them concerning the two poems above, and supposedly explaining the meaning of the poems verse by verse and even word by word. Ascent of Mount Carmel is a systematic study of the ascetical endeavor of a soul looking for perfect union with God. Living Flame of Love describes a greater intimacy, as the soul responds to God's love.

St. John of the Cross died on this day in 1591.

Let us pray: Judge eternal, throned in splendor, you gave Juan de la Cruz strength of purpose and mystical faith that sustained him even through the dark night of the soul: Shed your light on all who love you, in unity with Jesus Christ our Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Cindy Katz, Robert Strawder, Katie Putman, Roylene Lemons, the unemployed, the addicted, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.”—John of the Cross

Your servant in Christ,

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

Keep Watch!

The Gospel reading for this Tuesday in the third week of Advent captures the theme of the season, watchful expectation for the second coming of Jesus. Matthew writes:

“But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” (Mt. 24: 26-44).

Watch, be ready—that’s the message in today’s Gospel reading. Part of watching and waiting is simply doing what Jesus asks us to do. Jesus, knowing the Old Testament extremely well, tells us what we should do. We have been praying this every Sunday during Advent as we use Rite I, Jesus' summary of the Law which can be found in the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. Jesus tells us to love the Lord, our God with all all hearts, all our souls and all our minds, and the second commandment is like unto it, we should love our neighbors as ourselves. Do that, and you’ll be ready when Jesus comes again in power an great glory.

Let us pray: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.” —Dame Cicely Saunders

Your servant in Christ,

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

Consider the Poor

In this Monday of the third week of Advent, one of the appointed Psalms for the Daily Office is the 41st Psalm where the Psalmist prays:

Happy are those who consider the poor;
the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble.
The Lord protects them and keeps them alive;
they are called happy in the land.
You do not give them up to the will of their enemies.
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed;
in their illness you heal all their infirmities.
As for me, I said, ‘O Lord, be gracious to me;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.’
My enemies wonder in malice
when I will die, and my name perish.
And when they come to see me, they utter empty words,
while their hearts gather mischief;
when they go out, they tell it abroad.
All who hate me whisper together about me;
they imagine the worst for me.
They think that a deadly thing has fastened on me,
that I will not rise again from where I lie.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted,
who ate of my bread, has lifted the heel against me.
But you, O Lord, be gracious to me,
and raise me up, that I may repay them.
By this I know that you are pleased with me;
because my enemy has not triumphed over me.
But you have upheld me because of my integrity,
and set me in your presence for ever.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.Amen and Amen.

In this time of waiting, waiting for the Lord to come, we hear how God is concerned for the poor and the sick, for those who are unable to care for themselves. Amidst the noise and distractions of the world during this season, commercials of music boxes playing a tune and then cars with red bows being given as Christmas gifts, the maniacal lady shopping, stop and focus on what God is concerned with, consider the poor, those who are infirmed and fragile.

Let us pray: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“All our life is like a day of celebration for us; we are convinced, in fact, that God is always everywhere. We work while singing, we sail while reciting hymns, we accomplish all other occupations of life while praying.” —Clement of Alexandria

Your servant in Christ,

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

The Lord, Your Redeemer

The Old Testament reading for today’s Eucharist comes from the 48th chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah who writes:

Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you for your own good,
who leads you in the way you should go.
O that you had paid attention to my commandments!
Then your prosperity would have been like a river,
and your success like the waves of the sea;
your offspring would have been like the sand,
and your descendants like its grains;
their name would never be cut off
or destroyed from before me. (Isa. 48: 17-19).

Today’s selection comes from what Scripture scholars call “deutero” or “second” Isaiah, that being chapters 40 to 55, because these chapters are believed to have been written by an anonymous prophet toward the end of the Babylonian exile (around 586 to 538 years before Christ) who was a follower of the prophet Isaiah. From this section come the Servant Songs, which are reflected in the New Testament understanding of the passion and glorification of Christ.

Isaiah is truly to prophet for Advent; it calls us to repentance and to follow the way of the Lord. It reminds us that God does not abandon His people, although His people often abandon God. God is the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. God is also with us, Emmanuel.

Let us pray: O Lord our Redeemer, come with great might among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

“The dogma of the Incarnation is the most dramatic thing about Christianity, and indeed, the most dramatic thing that ever entered the mind of man; but if you tell people so, they stare at you in bewilderment.” —Dorothy Sayers

Your servant in Christ,

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

Let anyone who has ears listen!

In this Thursday in the second week of Advent, we hear from the Gospel according to Matthew where Jesus tells the crowd:

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’”

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!” (Matt. 11: 7-15).

“Let anyone who has ears listen.” Advent is a time for listening, listening to the voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord. During this Advent season, we take time to “clean out our ears” so that we may hear that voice. We clean out the obstacles to hearing the voice, obstacles like the commercialism that has tried its best to kidnap the season and the “what is in it for me” attitude. Let anyone who has ears listen!

Let us pray: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Advent Series: “Hope, Peace, Joy & Love” every Sunday at 11:00 A.M. in the parlor.

Christmas Services: Christmas Eve Rite II at 5:00 P.M. Christmas Day Rite II at 9:00 A.M.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Robert, Fr. John Bedingfield, all of those looking for work, the poor, the ill, the lonely and those who have no one to pray for them.

“Work as if everything depended upon your work, and pray as if everything depended upon your prayer.” —William Booth (Founder of the Salvation Army)

Your servant in Christ,

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

Baptized, Ordained Deacon, Priest & Bishop in One Week: St. Ambrose

Today the Church remembers St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, and friend of our own St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo.

Ambrose had a successful career as a lawyer; he was governor of Milan and then thrust into being Bishop of Milan. In 374, the Bishop of Milan died. The recently deceased bishop had supported the heresy that said Jesus was not divine. Who would take the dead bishop’s place – someone who didn’t believe Jesus was also divine or someone who believed Jesus was true God and true man? Both sides met in the cathedral and a riot broke out.

Since public order was Ambrose's responsibility as governor, he hurried to the cathedral and made a passionate speech not in favor of either side, but in favor of peace. He begged the people to make their choice without fighting; they urged them to use restraint and moderation.
Suddenly, while he was speaking, a voice called out, "Ambrose for bishop!" Soon everyone was shouting, "Ambrose for bishop!"

The other bishops of the province were only too happy to have the controversial decision taken out of their hands, but Ambrose was not about to give up a successful career for the dangerous position of bishop - a life- threatening occupation in those days. So Ambrose ran away.

When Ambrose appealed to the Emperor to overturn the decision on the basis that he had not even been baptized yet, the Emperor answered that he was happy that he chose governors fit for the Episcopal office. At the age of 33, Ambrose was baptized, ordained deacon, ordained priest and ordained bishop in one week!

Ambrose died on this day in 397.

Let us pray: O God, who gave your servant Ambrose grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

We remember on this day all of those who perished at the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and for everyone who has given their life in service to their country.

The Advent Series (Hope, Peace, Joy and Love) continues every Sunday after the service.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Katie, Roylene, Robert, the unemployed, the poor, the weary, the depressed, the lonely, and those who have no one to pray for them.

The Church's foundation is unshakable and firm against the assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly batter and crash against her, she offers the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress. —Ambrose (339-397)

Your servant in Christ,

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

Channing Moore Williams, Bishop of Japan

During this first week of Advent, the Church remembers and honors a missionary to China, Channing Moore Williams. He was born in 1829 in Richmond, Virginia. Williams was educated at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, and went to seminary at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. Upon the completion of his studies in Alexandria, he was ordained a deacon in 1855.

The Episcopal Church sent Williams to China, where he was ordained priest in 1857. In 1859 Williams was sent to Nagasaki, Japan.

In 1866, Williams was consecrated the bishop of China and Japan. The governments of both countries restricted access to Westerners who were very mistrusted. Christian missionaries, in particular, were watched with suspicion, as they were suspected by the government of being spies for their own respective governments. Christianity was legally banned in Japan since the 16th century. Christian clergymen were allowed into Japan, but only in the capacity as chaplains to the few Western diplomats that were allowed access to the Japanese government.

In 1868, the Meiji Restoration opened Japanese society to the West. Interaction between Christian missionaries and native Japanese became much easier. As a result, Bishop Williams decided to take advantage of the new political situation to concentrate his efforts on that country. China was not abandoned, however. Williams’ friend, Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewski, was elected bishop of China in 1874. Thereafter, Bishop Williams’ Episcopal jurisdiction was centered in Japan, and he moved his office to Tokyo, which had become the capital of the new Meiji government.

Williams’ success in Japan is well documented. He oversaw the translation of the Book of Common Prayer into Japanese and founded St. Paul’s University in Tokyo. He also assisted Bishop Schereschewski in the translation of the Book of Common Prayer into Chinese. In 1887 at a synod held in Tokyo, Williams brought together missionaries from England and the United States, along with native communicants, to form the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, or the Holy Catholic Church of Japan. Today, the Japanese Church, with its native clergy and bishops, is an important constituent province of the Anglican Communion.

In 1889, Bishop Williams’ health began to fail. He asked for a successor, but this was not granted until the appointment of John McKim as the second bishop of Japan in 1893. Williams retired to Kyoto, where he continued to offer assistance to his Bishop McKim as needed. He returned to the United States in 1908, having been away from the land of his birth for 52 years. He died in Richmond on 2 December 1910.

Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Channing, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the peoples of Asia. Raise up, we pray, in this and every land heralds and evangelists of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

WORLD AIDS DAY: 1 DECEMBER

During this week we remember all of those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Christian leaders are calling for continued support for the nearly 34 million people living with HIV around the world and encouraging renewed education and advocacy efforts to bring an end to the global pandemic.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams, speaking from the Congo in Africa said the following in a video statement:

The conflict in Congo has made it hideously clear that sexual violence is one of the great tools of war in our age; one of the great means by which people humiliate and subdue others. The women in Congo, especially in this part of Congo, have suffered dreadfully because of this. And the connection between sexual violence of this kind and the spread of HIV/AIDS is one of the most shameful facts of our day.

Trauma is something which cannot be overcome overnight but when people feel they’ve been abandoned by families, by communities, because of the shame and stigma of HIV/AIDS, the church in this part of Congo has been there for them.

For these people, who have been abused systematically, been raped, violated, abducted often at the youngest of ages – for these people, the church has been the family that mattered. The church has been the community that has given them back the dignity that they need. The church has given them the hope that they need.

As we seek to confront the terrible scandal of sexual violence as one of the causes of HIV/AIDS, let’s hope and pray that communities like the churches here will continue to fight as hard as they can against the stigmatising and marginalising that so reduce human dignity.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity of listening to the experience of women here – grateful, though it has been hard to hear. I hope the world will be able to hear what is being said here and to see what is being done here.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson issued a joint letter for World AIDS Day 2011, saying that the two churches have embarked upon a new age of full communion:

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on God's call to lift up the dignity and value of each person. … We are called to confront this pandemic - whose scale has no precedent in human history - through prayer, by speaking out to eliminate stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS, by caring for those afflicted by the virus in our own communities, by advocating for strong government support of life-saving programs, and by supporting the global effort to alleviate the global systems of poverty within which HIV and AIDS is so endemic. … We are part of a global family of 150 million Anglicans and Lutherans, most living in developing countries, for whom the virus is an ever-present daily reality. … This is an opportunity for us to remember the 30 million lives that have been lost to the deadly pandemic over the past three decades, to rededicate our energies in support of those 34 million living with HIV and AIDS today and to work toward building a future without AIDS.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

Hope, Peace, Joy & Love: The Advent Adult Education Series, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in the parlor behind the sacristy. Join us as we explore the Advent themes on our Advent banner.

Organ Extravaganza at Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Saturday, 3 December: 6:30-7:15 p.m.—Self-guided tours of the historic sanctuary. 7:30-8:00 p.m.—Performance by The Sons of Orpheus. 8:00 p.m.—Pipe Organ Extravaganza, Ronald Wyatt, concert organist. Following the performance—Reception with refreshments in historic Eaton Hall. Stained glass jewelry from the Tiffany window will also be on sale. Tickets are $10.

Galveston Heritage Chorale, Barbara Tucker and A Chosen Few will hold a concert Sunday, 4 December at 6 p.m. at Moody Methodist Church. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List especially for the family of Carrie Walpole, a young woman of 35 who died suddenly of a brain aneurysm; we pray for her husband, Daryl, and their sons, Billy and Tommy, as they mourn the loss of wife and mother; we pray for Robert Strawder who is in critical condition from burns, for Charles Lemons' wife, Roylene, who suffered a fall and is in the hospital, those seeking work, for the ill, for the poor, the hungry and those of 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