#jayaugustine

In the midst of the #COVID19 pandemic, I place my trust in God and encourage you to do the same. 

Psalm 27 teaches us that just as we currently have to deal with isolation and social distancing, David had to do so, too. The background narrative in 1 Samuel 21-24 tells us that David’s life suddenly changed, just as have so many of ours. David suddenly left a place of security and retaliative economic comfort, living in King Saul’s palace, only to move to a place of social isolation, as he lived in caves hiding from others he feared were sent to kill him. David’s dynamic was no different than anyone of us who “fears” personal interaction at the gas station or grocery store, recognizing the interaction could lead to transmission of a potentially fatal disease.

The good news is that in the midst of his circumstances, David took refuge in God’s grace and mercy. David had enough faith to know the same God who was there for him in the last mess was the same God who would be there for him in his then-current mess. The same logic applies for us, too. Psalm 27 tells us to “take courage and wait on the Lord!” When I was a child, my mother used to tell me, “God may not come right when you call him; but God is always on time!” 

“Tough Times Never Last!”  

Rev. Jonathan C. Augustine, JD, MDiv, 

Our family at Historic St. James AME Church is thankful for the contributions of women that make #WomensHistoryMonth so great! On Sunday, March 4, 2018, we began our month-long celebration of women by hosting our annual Women’ s Prayer Summit, for all women holding and/or seeking public office in New Orleans. We were honored and delighted to host so many influential women who have made a difference in New Orleans and well beyond.

Our celebration of women continues each Sunday of the month, with a capstone celebration, “A Salute to Women of Excellence,” on March 18th, as we welcome the Reverend Dr. Glenell Lee Pruitt, pastor of St. Matthew AME Church (Shreveport, LA), as our guest preacher, along with our specially invited guests, including the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Orchid Society of New Orleans, and the Mystick Krew of Femme Fatale.

We also praise God for God’s holy spirit showing up in a mighty way on the first Sunday of March, as we welcomed two new members to our Historic St. James AME Church family, Brother Dr. Robert Perry and his wife, Sister Tia Perry.

God is moving in a MIGHTY way at Historic St. James AME Church, where we always show #GodisLove 

The Joy of Carrying Jesus: A Theological Reflection for the Third Week of Advent

46 And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

                                                                                    —Luke 1:46-55 (NKJV)

 Sunday, December 17th began the third week of Advent 2017. The previous two weeks thematically emphasized hope and peace, respectively. Week three’s emphasis is joy. The question I pose for your reflection is whether, like Mary, you have joy in “carrying” Jesus, too?

In the selected text, often called the Magnificat, a Latin term meaning “my soul magnifies the Lord,” Mary expresses great joy in her expectancy as she is literally carrying the foretold messiah of her people. For as much joy as Mary expresses, however, it took her time to reach that perspective.

Mary was originally doubtful, because of her socioeconomic status. She was an unemployed teenager, not yet married, and unsure as to how she could possibly care for a child, resulting from a pregnancy she could not explain. After visiting her cousin Elizabeth, however (who was simultaneously pregnant with John the Baptist), Mary refocused her perspective to realize that her happiness had nothing to do with material possessions, but everything to do with her trust in God. After reorienting her perspective, therefore—in the midst of socioeconomic challenges—Mary found joy in carrying Jesus, because of her relationship with God. My question is whether you have found “joy” in carrying Jesus, too?  

 As you reflect on life’s challenges, in the midst of your circumstances, will you look past obstacles and focus on opportunity? Will you draw closer to God and derive joy by carrying the blessing of Jesus for others? My prayer is that we all will be a little like Mary and find joy in our hearts, as we too carry Jesus!