The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
"…in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…"
The word "Trinity" (Latin trinitas, Greek Αγία Τριάδα) does not appear in the Bible. It's not mentioned by St Paul or even by St John, whose Gospel was written over 40 years after the phrase came into common usage in preaching and teaching… In that way, the word “Trinity” is technical jargon. It’s theologically specific. Some have even suggested that in the modern US, with all of our religious diversity, we should avoid using technical jargon and stick with what’s in the Bible.
But I disagree, and for two reasons. First, the teaching of Jesus may be simple at some points, but it's not reducible, especially by me or you, to common sense or other words. When the Church gives us a piece of vocabulary, it may create a barrier of learning for others, but it also creates a proper way of speaking about something sacred.
The phrase "Holy Trinity" isn't just shorthand for "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." It's also a way of understanding the unity of the Divine Godhead. It's a way of speaking about the proper corollary theology of God in His Divine unity and singularity.
That can seem obtuse and unnecessary and it might be unnecessary when we're chitchatting about religion on the lake or at work. But it becomes quite necessary when we start asking bigger questions about the nature of God or about the question of prayer… Should I pray to Jesus, God the Father or the Holy Spirit? Does it matter? Should I ask the Holy Spirit to help with some things, but ask Jesus for others?
It also becomes a serious matter when we want to understand the way in which the local Christian community is meant to be structured. If God is both a singular Godhead AND a tri-personal divinity, then that means our religion and its community must be organized in both a singular (hierarchical) way and in a communal (egalitarian) way. Again, not this isn't necessarily coffee talk, but it matters.
It’s not true that Jesus ONLY taught in simple parables. Yes, He did tell stories to teach the simple folks. But He pulled the apostles aside to explain those stories and to specify their meaning. When He was speaking with educated people or sophisticated thinkers, He elevated His game. Think about His encounter with the Rabbis in the temple when He was 12. Think about His discussion with Pilate - which was had in Pilate’s own Latin Language. Jesus asked Pilate “What is Truth?” That’s a heady question.
To us, who are literate and who have access to an abundance of educational opportunity, what would the teaching of Jesus look like? To whom much is given, much will be expected. Even if these technical words are a bit of a barrier to others, we ought to use them and work to understand them adequately so that we can communicate the saving grace of Jesus in the Church to all who need to know Him and receive the Sacraments!
The other reason that I don’t think that we should exclude non-biblical jargon is simply that our society loves mediocrity and we should reject that at every opportunity. No one is saved by taking the easier path. If the Lord has revealed something through His Church, then we should embrace it - even if it is difficult.
St Patrick famously used the analogy of a three-leaved clover to help his parishioners understand the nature of the Holy Trinity. St Augustine used the fact that water commonly appears as ice, liquid, and steam but that all three of those phases of matter are still water. St Augustine also used the analogy of the three aspects of the human mind (memory, understanding, and will). St Thomas Aquinas said that we can think of the Father as the Love, the Son and the Beloved, and the Holy Spirit as the love proceeding from the both. Each of these images is more complex than the previous and yet each has its merits and is worth understanding - even if it takes some time and effort to think through.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30 pm In memory of Thomas Trichell (birth)/family
- Sun 9:30 am Pro Populo for the Living & Deceased Members of our Parish–especially all Fathers
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00 am In memory of Fr Ferre (birth anni on 16th)/Magoun
- Wed 9:00 am In memory of Bryan Stamey/family
- Thu 9:00 am In memory of Neal Bolton (birth anni)/Howington
- Fri 5:30 pm In memory of deceased members of the Roy and Johnson families/family
- Sat 5:30 pm In memory of Pat and Marleigh Bullard, Patrick Thomas, Eva & R L Reynolds/family
- Sun 9:30 am Pro Populo for the Living & Dead members of our Parish Family
ALTAR CANDLES this week are burning for the special intentions of Margo Corulla
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/14 5:30p | - | M Rome | C VanderVieren |
| 6/15 9:30a | Annie & Maura | Youth-MaryKatherine | - |
| 6/21 5:30p | - | C VanderVieren | M Ernst |
| 6/22 9:30a | Cooper and Courtland | A Oliver | - |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Friday & Saturday from 5p until Mass and Sunday from 9a until Mass
- June 15 Father’s Day
- June 22 Deanery wide picnic at Lake Bruin (see notes inside)
For Your Information:
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all our dads and grandads! Know that you are loved, appreciated, and needed not just by your blood descendents, but by our entire community!
ROSARY GROUP meets on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to pray the Rosary. Everyone is invited to join in prayer. For more information, contact Louise Magoun (318-341-2403), coordinator.
FORMED.ORG has weekly features at https://watch.formed.org/this-week-on-formed. Remember to sign in using our parish’s zip code (71282) at https://signup.formed.org
ALTAR CANDLES Anyone wishing to provide candles for the altar in honor of their loved one or in prayer for some intention may do so simply by asking. A small donation is recommended, but not required. A list of dates is in the sacristy and a date can be reserved up to one year in advance.
MAUSOLEUM Arrangements have been completed with American Cemetery Consultants LLC to build a beautiful new Garden Mausoleum in St Edward’s Eternal Hope Cemetery (opposite the Church across Bond St). The program has the full approval of Bishop Marshal and the Diocese of Alexandria. Mr Garth Daniels, ACC Rep, is available in Tallulah for the next several weeks at (318) 295-4409 to answer questions about the Mausoleum. The number of crypts reserved before construction will determine the size of the mausoleum. Crypts will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. More information is available at AmericanCemeteryConsultants.com/open-projects
SPECIAL MASS & DEANERY-WIDE PICNIC on Lake Bruin on Sunday, June 22. We will have our usual Weekend Mass Schedule here at St Edward on the weekend of June 22, which is the Feast of Corpus Christi. Fr Taylor and several other priests will offer an additional Mass under the big pavilion at Lake Bruin State Park at 4:30p. Socializing will begin at 3p and a potluck-style dinner will be served around 5:30p. Families can expect a Splash Pad and Playground for the kids as well as plenty of opportunities to socialize. All are welcome to attend and there is no charge. The Mass will count for your weekend obligation.
THE WORD AMONG US for June can be found on the table beneath the statue of St. Joseph.
Our Return to the Lord
| Weekly Budget FY 2022-23 | $ 2,111 |
| May Budget | $ 8,444 |
| May Collections | $ 12,691 |
| May Total Expenses | $ 17,475 |
| June Budget | $ 10,555 |
| June 8 Collection | $ 2,187 |
| June Collections To Date | $ 5,762 |
Stewardship Today’s Psalm reminds us that we have been crowned with glory and honor and given rule over the works of God’s hands. But, we must be good stewards, for the Lord will surely hold us accountable for the use of those gifts!
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Emily Ginn (June 14), Connie Copes (June 15), Margaret Gilfoil (June 16), Matt and Josh Hall (June 18), Robert Wood (June 18), Cindy Howington (June 23)
Happy Anniversary Beth and Chip Sullivan (June 19)
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.
For our Pope, Leo XIV, our 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, under full-time care and for those who care for them, and for those otherwise in need of our prayers: MaryKathryn & Nap Book, Connie & Dan Copes, Elizabeth Crothers, Leslye Ellerbee, Norman and Marie Ernst, Susan & Johnny Gilfoil, Margaret & Pat Gilfoil,Terry Farlow Hall, Sidney & Mary Jane Johnson, Frances & Bill Kennedy, Ed Mills, Susie Murphy, Bobby Reynolds, Mike & Sue Rome, Beth and Chip Sullivan
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, Nap and Martha Book, Kay Boolos (S Gilfoil), Dick & Sue Boyd (S Gilfoil), Chris Breard (Gilfoil), Gayle Brown (Dukes and Oliver), Sarah Cannon (Gilfoil), Fran Castile (Keene), Caroline and Albert Christman, Jeannie & Donald Collins, Teresa Carney Condra, Jami Cook (Wilks), Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummings, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Wayne Edwards, Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Theresa Gunter, Rita Hargrave, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Charles Howington, Callie Halbach Hyams, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Ruth McDonald (Copes), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Mona Martin (MA Gilfoil), Boyce Miller,Cole Norris, Randy Parker, John Neill, Bailey, Scott, and Tiffney Rome, Janie Saxon (Lancaster), Sara and Jess Shields (Keene), Debbie Kedrick Sims, Tommy Trichell, LeeAnn Rome Tranchina (Rome), Randy Watts, Jr.
Our collegiates: Aidan Collins, Preston Collins, Henry Ellerbee, Lilly Falgout, Jag Gilfoil, Bruen Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, EmmyLu Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
