The 2nd Sunday of Lent
From The Font
“He was transfigured before them”
Modern wisdom holds that Christianity should be simple… But why? RomComs hold that love and romance should be simple, but it never is. Fairy Tales hold that after some great struggle everyone should live happily ever after, but that’s not real either.
Christianity, at its core, is relatively simple. But we also have lots of technical words that we use to explain aspects of our Faith when we need to do so. And while some Protestant groups criticize us for that, the Gospels use plenty of technical terms as well. St Matthew, who was writing his gospel to a predominantly Jewish audience uses the very Greek word “metemorphōthē” which we translate into English as Transfigured. Technically, the word means to “change” “shape” or “form.” The Greek means exactly the same thing. We could say, “gosh, we don’t need complicated words to describe what happened!” But we really do. It matters whether or not Jesus actually became something else when He was glowing. Did He shed his “earth suit” in these moments and reveal some secret inner alien form like in a SciFi movie? Did His skin start to glow? Was it just His clothing? What happened there? Sometimes, you just need to set aside a special word for what happened.
We do the same thing with “Transubstantiation” which means not a change in “shape” or “form” or figure, but a change in “substance.” Just as the Greek word “morphe” and the Latin word “figura” are technical, philosophical words, so the English word “substance” (Lat. Substantia) is a technical term that describes the essence of a thing both in physical attributes and its very existence. And just as with transfiguration, transubstantiation becomes a technical word that we need to understand fully in a technical sense rather than a casual one.
We do this all the time. We all understand that when we speak of “piloting” a plane, we mean something very specific and technical. In religion, we have a lot of technical jargon and there’s no need to apologize for it! Jesus does teach a relatively simple programme of Faith, but He also offers a depth of intellectual understanding that is unparalleled in human experience!
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
I hope Lent has had a good start for everyone! Last week, I wrote about why Catholics tend to like Lent. This week, I want to write about one of the most common spiritual struggles that we face when we start to take our Faith (or anything) seriously: mistakes.
A lot of people reading this text hold themselves to high standards. It’s a blessing and a curse. A great many parishioners here in Tallulah and Delhi and back in Natchitoches are striving. And nothing is so frustrating as stupid little mistakes. How many of us ate a piece of bacon or a burger on Friday without even considering it? Yes, it’s a sin, but we’re probably more frustrated by the personal failure to pay attention.
The same thing happens as we grow in our Christian Faith. We decide we want to step up our prayer, but then we get annoyed by how much we’re distracted. We decide we want to step up our fasting and then we realize we’re eating Sonic. We decide we want to do more for the poor, but then we don’t know whether our handouts are helping or just enabling and as we wrestle with the question, the opportunity is gone.
Mistakes are annoying, but helpful. For one, they help us grow in humility. But they also help us to understand our specific needs for growth and improvement. Carelessness, thoughtlessness, and lack of focus are the names we give to the human mind’s way of automating processes. When we become aware of that automation, we can begin the work of changing it. That’s why a lot of Lent is about self-awareness and introspection. That introspection may well be frustrating, especially for the perfectionist among us, but it’s essential for changing behaviors as well as attitudes, biases, and those automations that help us stay sane.
All learning begins with mistakes. If those mistakes happen to be sins, then go to Confession and get right with the Lord. But don’t doubt that the Lord can use those mistakes for His glory. Just as temptations are both necessary and dangerous, so mistakes are part of learning even as they are detrimental. The same thing happens in the body as we grow in strength. Exercise actively damages our muscles so that they can heal stronger. A sunburn is what we call the automatic process in which our bodies murder skin cells so that they won’t become cancerous! A lot of our life processes - body and spirit - are this way.
And so as we continue with Lent, we want to continue to strive and to become more and more aware of the mistakes, faulty automations, and bad habits that we have. But rather than beat ourselves up about them, we want to identify them, ask the Lord for help, and make small, concrete improvements. There’s no value in ongoing self-reproach or in dwelling on our faults. God is good and He made us with the tools we need to grow in Holiness. My favorite verse in Scripture is Hebrews 12:1-2: Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us free ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race which lies ahead, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of our Faith.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 6:00p In memory of Racer Holstead (death anni)/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon - No Mass
- Tue 9:00a In memory of A.P. and Pat Guizerix/family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Cogan Fulton/Lancaster
- Thu 9:00a In memory of May DiTomasso
- Fri 5:30p In memory of deceased members of Regan, Adams, and Weimer families/family
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard, Patrick Thomas, and R.L. and Eva Reynolds/family
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil |
| 4/5 9:00a | Courtland and Preston | D Ellerbee |
| 3/11 5:30p | None Scheduled | M Rome |
| 3/12 9:00a | Cooper and Maura | B Sullivan |
| 3/18 5:30p | None Scheduled | C VanderVieren |
| 3/19 9:00a | Kathleen and Evelyn | Youth |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass at 5:30p
- Sunday Morning Catechism in the Hall after the 9:00a Mass unless otherwise indicated
Pastoral Council meeting monthly on the third Tuesday at 6p unless otherwise indicated
Mar 11 & 12 (Sat & Sun) - Guest priest, Fr. John Paul, OFM. Fr Ryan will be doing the parish mission at Our Lady of Fatima, Monroe No Sunday Morning Catechism, everything else as usual.
- March 21 Pastoral Council Meeting – Parish Hall – 6 p.m.
For Your Information:
ROSARY GROUP… a group of parishioners is meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join the group. If you need additional information, please contact the Coordinator, Louise Magoun, at 318-341-2403.
FORMED.ORG… FORMED has a collection of videos for Lent that are worth checking out at https://watch.formed.org/lent. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
EMPOWERING GOD’S CHILDREN… parish volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and go online regularly at www.virtus.org for the latest training bulletins. Any questions or issues can be reported to the office. Printed resources are available on the table at the entrance to the Church.
- “Protecting our Children, Understanding and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse” includes Resources and Contact Numbers for reporting abuse.
- “Protecting God’s Children, Teaching Touching Safety Quick Reference Guide”
The Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Minors and The Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Staff, and Volunteers are available in the Safe Environment section of the diocesan website at DioceseAlex.org or a copy may be requested from the Safe Environment Office (318) 445-2401.
PLEDGE TO HEAL...If you or a family member has been abused or victimized by a representative of the Catholic church or a member of the clergy, please believe in the possibility for hope and help and healing. Dr. Lee Kneipp, Clinical Psychologist, Victim Assistance Coordinator, Diocese of Alexandria encourages those persons to come forward and speak out. Dr. Kneipp is establishing support groups in the central Louisiana area for victims and family members. The focus of these groups is to further emotional and spiritual healing as an adjunct to therapy, in an atmosphere of others who understand the pain, betrayal, and fear associated with abuse. Dr. Kneipp can be reached at 318-542-9805. All calls are confidential.
Stewardship ”Bear your share of the hardship which the gospel entails,” St. Paul tells Timothy in today’s second reading. What sacrifice is asked of me for the sake of the Gospel? How willing am I to bear my share?
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| January Budget | $ 10,555 |
| January Income | $ 9,721 |
| January Expenses | $ 10,433 |
| February Budget | $ 8,444 |
| February 25-26 Collection | $ 1,277 |
| February Income To Date | $ 8,788 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Levi Washington (March 10), Bobby Reynolds (March 12), Abby Ellerbee (March 12)
In Our Daily Prayers…
Please let us know of anyone who is ill or hospitalized and would like to receive a visit from Father. Also, help us keep our prayer list up to date by advising us of those who should be added or removed.
Our Holy Father Pope Francis; Bishop Robert Marshall, and our Diocesan leaders, our President, Governor, Mayor and national, state and local elected representatives
Our parishioners who are sick, shut-in, or otherwise in need of our prayers: Connie and Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Terry and Andy Hall, MaryJane Johnson, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Terry and Susie Murphy, Sue & Mike Rome, Delia Trichell, and Don Wood
Those under full-time care: Frances Kennedy, Carol Dunning
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Lee Adams (Smith), Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Kathryn Wood Allsopp (D Wood), Pam Amacker (Gilfoil), James and Carolyn Arceneaux (Book), Marie Farlow Bellard, Tommy Bickham (C Copes), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Jami Cook (Wilks), Susan Ward Daigle (Gilfoil & Keene), Don Deweese, Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Dee Jones (Keene), William and Averyell Kessler (Lancaster), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Albert Thom (Rome), Barbara Thomas (Gilfoil), Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Joe Yerger,
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Callie Ezell, Lilly Falgout, Chris Hall (USMC), Nick Hall, Bruen Johnson, Caroline Marsh, Emmy Lu Marsh, Blake Sullivan, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Marsh Wood
