Today's Martyrs

Today the Church remembers those who gave their lives for their faith in the Sudan on this day in 1983:

 

The Christian bishops, chiefs, commanders, clergy and people of Sudan declared, on May 16, 1983, that they would not abandon God as God had revealed himself to them under threat of Shariah Law imposed by the fundamentalist Islamic government in Khartoum. Until a peace treaty was signed on January 9, 2005, the Episcopal Church of the Province of the Sudan suffered from persecution and devastation through twenty-two years of civil war. Two and a half million people were killed, half of whom were members of this church. Many clergy and lay leaders were singled out because of their religious leadership in their communities. No buildings, including churches and schools, are left standing in an area the size of Alaska. Four million people are internally displaced, and a million are scattered around Africa and beyond in the Sudanese Diaspora. Twenty-two of the twenty-four dioceses exist in exile in Uganda or Kenya, and the majority of the clergy are unpaid. Only 5% of the population of Southern Sudan was Christian in 1983. Today over 85% of that region of six million is now mostly Episcopalian or Roman Catholic. A faith rooted deeply in the mercy of God has renewed their spirits through out the years of strife and sorrow. (From the proposal before the 75th General Convention)

 

This continues even today.  In a very recent new story (15 May 2014) from the Morning Star News we read:

 

A judge in Sudan today confirmed the death sentence for “apostasy” (leaving Islam) for a pregnant Christian woman after she refused to recant, sources said.

 

After her conviction on April 30, Judge Abaas Al Khalifa had given Meriam Yahia Ibrahim 15 days to recant or be executed, with the ultimatum repeated at her hearing on Sunday (May 11). He also confirmed the sentence of 100 lashes for having sex with her husband, considered illicit in Islam because he is a Christian.

“The court has sentenced you to be hanged till you are dead,” Al Khalifa told Ibrahim, who also has a 20-month-old son, after Islamist crowds shouted for the court to punish her.

 

As other Sudanese convicted of leaving Islam have recanted their new faiths in order to avoid execution, the 27-year-old Ibrahim is the first person to be sentenced to death under Sudan’s apostasy law, according to Amnesty International.

 

Before the court appearance, a Muslim scholar went to Ibrahim — as has happened repeatedly since her incarceration without trial in February — and spent nearly 40 minutes trying to force her to recant, sources said. She told him what she told the judge.

 

“I am a Christian, and I have never been a Muslim,” she told Al Khalifa in court.

 

Let us pray:  O God, steadfast in the midst of persecution, by your providence the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church: As the martyrs of the Sudan refused to abandon Christ even in the face of torture and death, and so by their sacrifice brought forth a plentiful harvest, may we, too, be steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

WE HAD A WONDERFUL EVENING LAST NIGHT AT THE SHARING OUR FAITH DINNER AT THE PUTMANS’ HOME.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Safeguarding Adults and Children Program at Grace tomorrow starting at 8:30 AM.

 

Adult Christian Education: “The Resurrection: Now What?” continue Sunday at 11 AM.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Jesus Calls Us To Do More than the Law Requires

The appointed Gospel reading for the Daily Prayer of the Church is taken from the Gospel according to Matthew where Jesus calls us to go beyond what the 10 Commandments require:

 

‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. (Mt. 5:21-26).

 

To be sure, the Pharisees were sticklers for following the Law, the 10 Commandments which they added about 638 more commandments to.  Jesus calls you and me not to merely follow the Law, but to follow the spirit of the 10 Commandments.  A person can be technically in compliance with the law, while not living up to and into the spirit of the law.  For example, the 10 Commandments tell us not to kill an innocent human being.  But how many times have we “killed” others with our words?  Jesus calls us to go beyond the letter of the law; he calls us to do more than the letter of the law requires.

 

Let us pray: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through  Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the  Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Sharing Our Faith Dinner will be Thursday evening at the Putmans’ home on 1718 Avenue N at 7 p.m.  Please let Stacy know if you are coming by calling her at 832-382-4463.

 

Adult Christian Education: “The Resurrection: Now What?”  Join us Sundays at 11 AM as we study the development of the Old and New Testament canons, the early Church and the Patristic period and the Creeds.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Julie, Pat, Lee Runion’s mother, and Patricia.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Good News Spreads Quickly

One of the appointed readings for today is taken from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10:

 

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.  We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place where your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

 

Good news spreads quickly.  The Thessalonians accepted the Good News of Jesus Christ, and they lived it out.  Their living out the Good News spread to the neighboring regions.  Have you and I at St. Augustine’s received the Good News the same way the Thessalonians did?  Has the word spread about the impact that the Good News of Jesus has had in our lives?  If not, then we need to reassess how we are living our lives.  As St. Francis said, we should always preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.

 

Let us pray:  All powerful and ever living God, we thank you for showing us your face in Jesus Christ, and we thank you for his saving work.  Send your Holy Spirit to make our hearts burn with the Good News and to spread the Word to everyone that we meet.  Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

Sharing Our Faith Dinner will be Thursday evening at the Putmans’ home on 1718 Avenue N at 7 p.m.  Please let Stacy know if you are coming by calling her at 832-382-4463.

 

The Seaside Seniors will meet this Thursday at 11 A.M. in Sutton Hall.  The theme is Cinco de Mayo, and turkey tacos are on the menu.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Julie, Pat, Lee Runion’s mother, and Patricia.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

The Bread of Life

The Gospel reading for the celebration of the Eucharist today is taken from the Gospel according to John where we hear how Jesus is the Bread of Life:

 

So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’

 

Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  (Jn. 6:30-35).

 

Today we have any number of diets that are low carb; bread is bad!  In Jesus’ day, that was not the case.  Bread was a staple; it was a good thing.  Bread was a source of nourishment and life.  It still is.  Jesus tells us today that he is the very source of life and sustenance.  Jesus keeps us going. Jesus keeps us alive.  You and I encounter the risen Lord in the Breaking of the Bread and the Sharing of the Cup.  Jesus becomes manifest to us in simple bread, and simple wine.  Jesus is present; he is the source of our life and being.

 

Let us pray:  Heavenly Father: thank you for sending your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Bread of Life for the world.  Forgive us for elevating earthly appetites above devotion to you.  Feed us with the knowledge of Christ so that we recognize our sin and gladly repent in his name.  Amen.

 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE OUT 4^TH ANNUAL “BIGMISTA AND FRIENDS BBQ” A SUCCESS.  It was a lot of hard work!

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

New Christian Adult Education Series:  “The Resurrection: Now What?”  We will look at the early Church, the development of the canon of Scripture and the Patristic period over the next several weeks.  Join us at 11:00 AM after breakfast.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Julie, Pat, Gladys and all of those serving in the Armed Forces at home and abroad.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

St. Athanasius: The "Black Dwarf"

Today the Church celebrates the life and ministry of St. Athanasius, a bishop, a theologian and a defender of the faith.  Athanasius was born around 298 and he lived in Alexandria, Egypt. 

 

His enemies nicknamed him the “Black Dwarf” because he was short and dark skinned.  Athanasius was exiled 5 times by 4 Roman emperors spending 17 of the 45 years he served as bishop of Alexandria in exile. In the end, Athanasius won out because his writings that shaped the theological vision of the Church.

 

Here was the controversy; it centered on the nature of Jesus Christ.  Arius, a priest in Libya, said that there was a time when the Son was not.  Specifically, he wrote: “If the Father begat the Son, then he who was begotten had a beginning in existence, and from this it follows there was a time when the Son was not.”   Athanasius said that the Son was eternal; he was of the same “stuff” as God the Father.  Just as the Father is eternal, so is the Son.

 

Word of the dispute made it to the Emperor Constantine, who wanted a unified Church, so to settle the matter, he called a council of bishops.

 

Of the 1,800 bishops invited to Nicaea, about 300 came; they argued, fought, and eventually fleshed out an early version of the Nicene Creed. The council condemned Arius as a heretic, exiled him, and made it a capital offense to possess his writings. Constantine was pleased that peace had been restored to the church. Athanasius, whose treatise On the Incarnation laid the foundation for the orthodox party at Nicaea, was hailed as “the noble champion of Christ.”

 

Let us pray: Uphold your Church, O God of truth, as you upheld your servant Athanasius, to maintain and proclaim boldly the catholic faith against all opposition, trusting solely in the grace of your eternal Word, who took upon himself our humanity that we might share his divinity; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY—THE 4^TH ANNUAL BBQ WITH NEIL “BIGMISTA” STRADER AND HIS FRIENDS IS FINALLY HERE!  Please be there to help if you have committed to do so, and remind all of your friends and family about it.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski, Vicar

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Compline: "I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety."

One of the appointed Psalms for today is Psalm 4 where the Psalmist prays:

 

Answer me when I call, O God of my right!

   You gave me room when I was in distress.

   Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?

   How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?

But know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for himself;

   the Lord hears when I call to him.

When you are disturbed, do not sin;

   ponder it on your beds, and be silent.

Offer right sacrifices,

   and put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say, ‘O that we might see some good!

   Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!’

You have put gladness in my heart

   more than when their grain and wine abound.

I will both lie down and sleep in peace;

   for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

 

I flew out of Houston Saturday night and arrived in London Sunday afternoon. Yesterday evening I went to Southwark Cathedral for compline. I was met at the door by the Cathedral’s mouser, Doorkins Magnificat who walked me down the aisle to my seat. The word “compline” comes from the Latin word “completorium” meaning the completion of the working day. It is the last prayer service in the Church’s day. 

 

Today’s Psalm reminds me of the compline service.  At the end of our day, we come before God in thanksgiving for the day that has gone by and as we prepare to lie down and rest for the next day.  The Psalmist prays: “I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.”  We begin our day coming before God and we end our day in the same way. 

 

Let us pray:  Gracious God, in you we live, move and have our being.  Out of love, you have created all that is.  We respond to you by coming before you in prayer.  We thank you for the start of the day which reminds us of the new life we have in Christ.  We thank you at the end of the day when we are reminded that one day our own lives will come to an end where we will look forward to our own resurrection.  Amen.

 

REMEMBER: The big BBQ is this Saturday!  We still have lots of work to do before the big event.  Please invite all of your friends and family to the event.  We will have the best BBQ around with Neil “Bigmista” Strawder and friends!

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

Fr. Chester J. Makowski, Vicar

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550

Do Not Be Afraid

The appointed Gospel reading for this Wednesday if Easter week is taken from Matthew, and it is his account of the Resurrection:

 

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

 

While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, ‘You must say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.

 

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. (Mt. 28:1-16).

 

Fear is a mighty power that can rule our lives.  We are afraid of many things.  What will people think of me?  I can’t do it! People will make fun of me because I am a Christian. I am afraid to open myself to others. I am afraid to share my faith.  I am afraid to say that I have trouble believing.

 

But the angels say, “Do not be afraid!”  When Mary Magdalene and Mary encounter the Risen Jesus, he says, “Do not be afraid!”  These are the same words that the angels and the Risen Lord say to you and to me: “Do not be afraid!  Do not be afraid of what people will think; do not be afraid that you cannot do it.  Do not be afraid to leave yourself vulnerable.  Do not be afraid if people make fun of you. Do not fear if your faith is weak. Go out and proclaim that Jesus is indeed alive; he is risen!”

 

Let us pray:  O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

CALENDAR REMINDERS

 

THE BIG BBQ IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER—SATURDAY, 3 MAY!  Tell all of your friends and neighbors about it—spread the word!  This year we will have 8 pit masters including our own Neil “Bigmista” Strawder.

 

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List and especially all of those who are discerning a call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church.

 

Your servant in Christ,

 

The Rev. Chester J. Makowski, Vicar

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550