Fourth Sunday of Advent
From The Font
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about…”
The Gospels were written about 30-35 years after the Resurrection of Jesus. Each of them was written for a different audience and each author used different sources for their info and details. Matthew was an Apostle, himself, and was said to have maintained close contact with the Virgin Mary. He was focused on ministry to Jews in and around Jerusalem. Mark was the secretary for St. Peter until his death in the 60s and the audiences were the cities Peter was evangelizing, specifically Antioch and Rome. Luke’s Gospel (and the Book of Acts) was written for non-Jews (aka Gentiles) of mostly Greek extraction. And St. John’s Gospel, which was written about 50 years after Jesus’ Death was focused less on Evangelization and more on confirming the faith of Christians on the Anatolian peninsula (aka modern-day Turkey).
The writers, then, chose sermons, life details, and scriptural references which would be best suited to their audiences. Matthew uses a lot of references from the Old Testament because most of his hearers / readers were Jews and they would be edified by that. He also recalls the story of the birth of Jesus and emphasizes details which are prophesied in Scripture.
I think it’s fascinating that Matthew also chooses to use the proper name of God “The Holy Spirit” right away in his Gospel, even before He’s properly introduced at the Baptism of Jesus. It’s a good reminder that the Gospels came from the ministry of the early Church. The Bible did NOT give us the Church, the Church gave us the Bible.
Scholars frequently compare “parallels” in the Gospels where one story or sermon is told in several Gospels in order to gain insight. It’s a really interesting exercise and I’ve written several papers on it. But the most important thing to remember is that the Gospels were never written in order to function as a history book or record for posterity. They’re not travel logs or dispassionate and unbiased biography. The Gospels are about evangelization and drawing people into Faith. Which is, honestly, what we should be about as well! There is no such thing as a neutral Christian - if I believe in Jesus Christ, I MUST be sharing Him as well!
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel…”
Maybe it’s just me, but Jesus’ name is not exactly Emmanuel… So what gives? Is this about Mary or what? Also, plenty of people this time of year are going out of their way on TV and Social Media to “debunk” the idea that Isaiah 7 and Matthew 1 are speaking about virginity in the way we commonly do nowadays…
Let’s start with the easy bit. “Jesus” is exactly the same as “Joshua.” It means “God saves” or “God IS salvation.” Emmanuel means “God is with us.” In the ancient world, one person often had many names. The Jews loved doing this. Jesus was known as “Jesus,” “Jesus of Nazareth,” “Jesus bar-Joseph” (bar=son of), “The Carpenter’s Son,” “Son of Man,” “Son of God,” and “Son of David.” And that list doesn’t include more generic titles like “Savior,” “Healer,” “God’s Blessing,” etc. Undoubtedly, people called Jesus Emmanuel. The text itself doesn’t say that the virgin will name Him Emmanuel, but that “they” will.
The question of virginity is more complicated. There are a few Greek words for describing age, one of which describes a “maid-girl” and is very often translated as virgin because outside of the anatomical sense, a virgin is just a young, unmarried woman. That’s why it was used as an insult for young men. There is a technical term for “anatomically virgin girl” but it was really crass to talk about, so it’s not used. The problem really arises though in that Isaiah was written in Hebrew, not Greek. But we don’t really have the Hebrew originals. They were written on papyrus or maybe vellum 2600 years ago… So the Isaiah we have is from a Greek Translation made in Alexandria, Egypt around 80 AD. The Dead Sea Scrolls prove that translation to be very, very accurate… But still, it’s ridiculous to bicker over a technical term like “virgin” when we don’t even have the original-language to debate.
Now, the Gospels are written in Greek and they use the non-anatomical version of the word. Still, it’s mostly unthinkable that they would speak about their beloved Mary using crass language without some extra-special reason to do so. But as no one was strongly questioning Mary’s virtue and as Mary specifically attests in her encounter with the Angel Gabriel, she was a virgin in every sense. So the fact that a crass and out-of-place word isn’t used seems to be a silly nit to pick, so to speak.
Almost all of these Scriptural nit-pickings are really just ways to avoid the big picture. And they’re rarely ever useful spiritually. Jesus is Lord! And it may be that the Prophecy of Malachi has a contradiction to the words of Elijah. It’s certainly confusing that the Gospels seem to imply a kind of reincarnation surrounding John the Baptist even though neither Jews nor Christians believe in anything even remotely compatible with that. But do those three or four verses really matter in light of the whole of scripture? Isn’t it more likely that the turn of phrase or the translation is at fault rather than the whole thing (with its centuries of blessings and miracles) is just a sham?!? Bible proof-texting and nit-picking is a fool's errand and spiritually useless. Trust me, it’s not worth it!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard and Patrick Thomas/Bullard
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00a In memory of J.E. “Boyzie” Jumonville/ Family
- Wed 9:00a In memory of Regan, Adams, Weimer family members/Regan
- Thu 9:00a In memory of Gus Gremshell
- Fri 5:30p in memory of C.L. Keene/family
- Sat 6:00p In memory of Eva Reynolds/Bullard
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Sun 10:30a Traditional Latin Mass For Stacy Mestayer
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Angel Farlow
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 12/17 5:30p | None Scheduled | MA Gilfoil |
| 12/18 9:00a | Courtland and Preston | Youth-Kathleen & Mary Katherine |
| 12/24 6:00p | Kathleen, MaryKatherine & Chandler | B Sullivan |
| 12/25 9:00a | None Scheduled | A Farlow |
| 12/31 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard |
| 1/1/2023 9:00a | Cooper and Maura | C VanderVieren |
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
Dec 18 Birthday Party for Jesus for our youth and families following Sunday Mass. All are invited to join in.
- Dec NO Pastoral Council meeting in December
- Jan 7, 2023 Mark your calendar Burning of the Greens on Saturday following Mass. All are invited to come and enjoy Queen’s Soup and King Cake in the Church Hall
- Feb 19, 2023 Mark your calendar Mardi Gras Brunch after the Sunday Mass
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… Check out FORMED’s Advent & Christmas Page! (https://watch.formed.org/advent-and-christmas) They’ve got a ton of great content for all ages! Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS… Sunday, December 18. following the Sunday Mass for our children and their families. All are invited to join in the celebration.
CHRISTMAS EVE MASS… will be at 6:00 p.m. to give Father Ryan time to get back to Tallulah following an earlier Mass in Delhi
CALENDARS… We have plenty of calendars available at the back. Please take one or two as you need.
STEWARDSHIP ENVELOPES… The purpose of Stewardship envelopes in two-fold. First, it gives you an easy way to make a pre-plannned donation to the parish or to the second collection. Second, it allows us to track your donations and provide a letter of support to the IRS so that you can deduct your offers as charitable giving on your taxes (those of you who use a check for donation, we record those and they are easy to track). In previous years, we’ve gone to the trouble of creating stickers and planning numbers and the like, which has been mostly wasteful. This year, if you’d like us to track your giving via an envelope number (if you don’t want to use a check), feel free to take a box and just note your name (and address if we don’t have it already) on the sheet at the back. Those who give by check in the collection basket, or online or who prefer to give in lump sum can continue to do so and we’ll take care of your records as we have in years past. THANK YOU for your generosity and kindness!
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS AND DECORATIONS… Thanks to all who have helped out with our Christmas Decor so far! Those wishing to donate to our Christmas Poinsettias fund can find envelopes at the back of the Church. Thank you for your generosity!
THANK YOU from DELIA TRICHEll and her children who would like to express their appreciation to all of the faith family of St Edward who participated in the celebration of Delia’s 85th birthday on November 26!
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| Novemer Budget | $ 8,444 |
| November Income | $ 8,375 |
| November Expenses | $ 11,785 |
| December Budget | $ 8,444 |
| December 10-11 Collection | $ 2,065 |
| December Income To Date | $ 5,899 |
Stewardship When he discovered that Mary was with child, Joseph resolved to end their engagement with as little disgrace as possible. But, obedient to the voice of God, he changed those plans and became, instead, the protector of the child Jesus and His mother Mary. God grant that I may be as open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Bart Wood (Dec 19), Robbie Kivett (Dec 25), Thomas Myers Hamilton (Dec 25)
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 and Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI; 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, Mary Ernst, Susan and Johnny Gilfoil, Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Kathleen 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 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), Ashley and Chuck Edwards (Keene), Joe Farlow, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Monique Florence, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Thom Gilfoil, Charlotte Green, Carol Drawe Guidry (Gilfoil & Keene), Rita Hargrave, Arlice Evans Headley, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Melissa Jennings (Gilfoil & Keene), Dee Jones (Keene), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller, Mason Miller (Wilks), Caryn Oliver, Sue Perrilloux (D Wood), Wayne Pitre (Gilfoil), Frances Robinson (Wilks), Bailey, Scott and Tiffney Rome, Dianne W. Roper (Murphy), Albert Thom (Rome), Gabby Trejos (Wilks), 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
