The Solemnity of Christ the King
From The Font
“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
My grandfather, who is not Catholic, has asked me about this verse at least five times. He wants to understand how it is that the good thief seems to be able to bypass all of the Christian life just because he asks for mercy at the Crucifixion.
These kinds of questions are more helpful and insightful than they may seem at first. The Bible is not a secret code. Neither is it some kind of technical manual in which every sentence has the same purpose, value and usefulness. The Bible isn’t a single book at all.
The Bible is, in fact, a series of books written by at least forty separate authors, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, across 1200 years and perhaps much longer. Within the Bible, we have books of plain history with little to no moral teaching. We also have books of prophetic sermons specific to certain moments in history. We also have psalms, hymns, poetry and artsy passages meant to elevate human life but not necessarily to teach or to instruct anyone at all. And then, of course, we have moral and religious teachings which are, as St Timothy explains, useful for doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…
When we read any passage of scripture, we want to keep in mind that there are four levels at work. First, we have the surface reading. Is this passage a sermon? A poem? Is it a lesson from Jesus about some moral truth?
Beneath the surface level, there are spiritual readings as well. We should ask, even if the passage isn’t a moral less specifically, whether this passage has a moral lesson. A list of the kings of ancient Israel probably doesn’t have a moral lesson to teach me. But there are other kinds of lessons there… What does this passage say about the governance of the Church or about spiritual life or about the hidden nature of the universe?
My grandfather’s questions aren’t easy to answer mostly because as a Methodist, he reads the Bible without much nuance. That’s a real problem when you have real questions. We should read the bible as the nuanced and inspired work that it is constantly asking the Holy Spirit for insight and help.
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Kingship is a topic which is just hard for us as Americans… We don’t have kings of our own, and our very flawed and biased history books tend to portray monarchy as inherently evil and unfair. Even as we enjoy the drama of the British Royals and give a little bit of a pass to Princes and Princesses, we generally struggle with the idea of a real government by a king whose rule cannot be appealed or corrected.
In our day, we are actually watching both the president of the US and the Pope acting more and more like kings than at any moment in modern history… Beginning with Obama and continuing to the present, US presidents have begun to “rule” by executive order and to ignore more flagrantly the rule of law. The Supreme Court has become more important as the only real check-and-balance to the presidency. And in Rome, Pope Francis makes quite the show of being concerned with everyone’s opinions, but his papacy has been the most dictatorial one in probably 200 years…
Maybe if we agree with this or that king’s ideology, we might appreciate their decisions in the short term, but the election of President Trump and the simple memory of Pope Benedict XVI are both living proof that opposing ideologies are dangerous when the rule of law is subjected to human whims.
And so it’s challenging for us to think about Christ the King because we can’t help but compare His kingship to the flawed governments that we know from our history and that we see around us. What if Jesus makes a decision I don’t like? Morally, many of us are ok with just ignoring His teaching. But when it comes to the real, eternal judgment of God, that’s not a good solution. If Heaven is not just the fulfillment of my personal Earthly desires, then this life isn’t about me getting what I want, it’s about me conforming myself to the king’s wishes. And that’s the way that the monarchy was considered in year’s past… For better or worse, the king’s subjects were expected to adapt their thinking and their desires to the king’s thinking and desires. If the king spoke with a lisp, his people started speaking with a lisp… If the king prioritized personal frugality, his subjects had better do the same…
Jesus, as King, is fundamentally different from kings in one way: He created us specifically to be ruled by Him. He loves the way we were made and His rule of law isn’t about making Himself happy, it’s about providing us with a context within which to flourish. Whereas worldly rulers may or may not try to function for the common good of the governed, Jesus created us and this entire creation specifically for our flourishing.
And that means that it’s in my best interest to change myself and my ideas and my preferences and my way of doing things to accommodate the rules and structures that Jesus established in this world because those rules and structures were made for my good… Jesus is King because there is zero benefit for any of us in anything like democratic rule. Jesus and He alone reveals us to ourselves. I can no more improve His reign than I can create a New Heavens or a New Earth.
Long Live Christ the King!
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Anna May Farlow/VanderVieren
- Sun 9:00a Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue NO MASS
- Wed 9:00a In memory of May DiTomasso
- Thu NO MASS
- Fri 5:30p In memory of Louise Testa/Magoun
- Sat 5:30p In memory of Pat Bullard and Patrick Thomas/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) |
|---|---|---|
| 11/19 5:30p | None Scheduled | P Wilks |
| 11/20 9:00a | Cooper and Volunteer | Youth |
| 11/26 5:30p | None Scheduled | MK Book |
| 11/27 9:00a | Kathleen, Evelyn, Maura | B Sullivan |
| 12/3 5:30p | None Scheduled | L Bullard |
| 12/4 9:00a | Henry and MaryKatherine | D Ellerbee |
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 4 Christmas Along the Bayou Festival - Parade, Music program at First Baptist Church followed by fireworks.
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 “Eternal Rest: The Art of Dying Well” (https://watch.formed.org/eternal-rest) It’s a series of videos that considers death - our own and the loss of loved ones - from a Christian perspective. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at http://signup.formed.org
CHRISTMAS ALONG THE BAYOU… on Sunday, December 4, 2022 the community festival will take place. There will be a parade, music program at First Baptist Church, and fireworks on the bayou.
ANGEL TREE… Families and children have been identified; and, this weekend, our Angel Tree Coordinator, Dana Dukes, has the Angel Tree set up in the Church Hall for families to select who they would like to provide for this Christmas.
NO MASS ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY…. as Father Ryan may be away with family for Thanksgiving.
NEW BABY….congratulations to our faith family members, Alyssa and Teddy Oliver on the birth of their third grandchild, a girl, ELOISE NEAL DUFF, child of Jared and Ainslie Oliver Duff. Born on November 9, 2022 in Monroe, Eloise weighed eight pounds, fifteen ounces and was welcomed home by big brothers, John Oliver and Anderson..
YOU ARE INVITED…. The children of Delia Trichell invite you to join them on Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Church Hall to celebrate Delia’s 85th birthday. No gifts please; your presence is “gift enough!”
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2020-21 | $ 2,111 |
| October Budget | $ 10,555 |
| October Income | $ 9,515 |
| October Expenses | $ 9,175 |
| November Budget | $ 8,444 |
| November 5-6 Collection | $ 2,385 |
| November Income To Date | $ 2,385 |
Stewardship Today we celebrate Christ the King and are reminded that all was created through Him and for Him. Does my stewardship of the blessings entrusted to me give evidence that Christ is Lord of my life?
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Isabel Hernandez (Nov 19), Libby Bullard (Nov 20), Darryl Ellerbee (Nov 22), Sherry Lynn Harris (Nov 29), Frances Kennedy (Nov 29), Delia Trichell (Nov 29)
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, Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Ruthie Coenen (Wilks), Kevin and AnnaBeth Collins (Book), 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), 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, Brice Wood, Marsh Wood
