The 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thoughts from Fr. Ryan
Christianity is a faith of habits, routines, rituals, and mature personalities. The Holy Spirit is dynamic and alive, but most of us are called to a stable and even-keeled Christian life in which we slowly develop moral virtues and habits of prayer and charity. For most Christians who take their faith seriously, chaotic and unexpected changes in their faith should be very rare indeed.
Because of all that, many mature Christians are tempted to think of some of the challenging words of scripture as boxes they’ve already checked off the list… Undoubtedly, the Apostles gave in to that temptation at least a few times.
In today’s Gospel, Peter asks if the parable they just heard was meant for them or for the crowds. There’s no sense of judgement or pride in Peter’s words; it’s an honest question. In fact, it’s a bit of an archetype for all of us as we read or encounter scripture in our prayer.
Any time Jesus (or Paul or Moses or any scriptural author) hits us with a direct instruction, we have to ask the same question to the Lord. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “Sell your belongings and give alms.” That’s a very clear, unambiguous instruction - but is that meant for me or just for the people who heard this particular sermon from Jesus, Himself, 1,993 years ago? Some great saints, like Benedict of Nurcia and Anthony of Egypt, heard this very Gospel passage read aloud in Church and understood it as the Holy Spirit speaking to them directly. Both Benedict and Anthony made arrangements to dispose of their wealth and leave their former lives within 2-3 days! Others of us have heard these words a dozen times and, each time, have returned to our homes, our families, and our responsibilities.
Of course, the Bible is not an instructional handbook. It is not the Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. Some passages of the Bible are direct moral instructions meant for everyone at all times (such as the 10 Commandments). Other passages are deeply spiritual meditations which don’t lend themselves to any specific or absolute understanding at all (such as the Song of Songs or many of the Psalms). The vast majority of the Bible is somewhere in between. This is why Catholics reject entirely the Protestant notion that every believer can or should interpret the Bible for himself and the ludicrous notion of Martin Luther that the “Bible Alone” (Sola Scriptura) is the basis of Christian faith.
Today’s Gospel, in particular, rejects that way of thinking as Jesus’ sermon, recalled in Luke 12, includes two contradictory instructions followed by an admission that some of Jesus’ teachings are meant for one group and not for another and concluded with a parable that functions to interpret the previous ideas in a definitive way (as opposed to whatever way the reader may prefer).
First, Jesus says “Sell your belongings and give alms.” Why? To accumulate “treasure in heaven.” Then, Jesus says we should dress ourselves and light our lamps (weren’t we supposed to have sold them?) and if we do, then Jesus will treat us like the master of the household. And, we should learn a lesson from a man who built his house strongly to defend against burglars. (again, didn’t we sell that house?) Then Peter asks his question, making clear that Jesus gives his various audiences differing instructions. Finally, Jesus draws these various ideas together into a cohesive whole by means of a parable. He describes His ideal follower as a steward (rather than an owner) who is alert and conscientious. So it’s not about selling one’s property as it is about considering everything I have only as something I have been given for the use of the Lord. It’s not about actually fortifying my house as it is about morally fortifying my heart, mind, and moral choices. The specifics will change audience to audience, but I shouldn’t bother with which audience I’m a part of - I should pay attention, in prayer, to the Lord’s instructions and use whatever I have (property, talents, windfalls) for the care of the Church and the poor…
As Catholics, we call this attitude the Virtue of Docility. And, in the case of today’s Gospel, it’s a reminder that we must be humble when we read scripture and understand everything in its context.
Mass Intentions for the Coming Week
- Sat 5:30 pm In memory of Pat & Marleigh Bullard, Patrick Thomas, and Eva & R L Reynolds / family
- Sun 8:00 am (Traditional Latin Mass) PRO POPULO for the living & deceased members of our parish
- Sun 9:30 am In memory of deceased members of the Roy and Johnson families / Johnson
- Mon NO MASS
- Tue 9:00 am In memory of George Magoun / family
- Wed 9:00 am In memory of Carol Folk LaHitte / P Lancaster
- Thu 9:00 am In honor of Rome family birthdays in July (Sue, Scott, Tiffany, Curt, Brianne) Legacy
- Fri 5:30 pm In memory of Wayne Magoun / family
- Sat 5:30 pm In memory of Donald and Payton Trichell / family
- Sun 9:30 am In memory of Thomas Trichell (ann death) / Hayes
Altar Candles this week are burning in memory of Becky Lancaster and Edgar & Beverly Lancaster
Assistants at Holy Mass
| Date | Servers | Lector(s) | EMHC(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/9 5:30p | - | C VanderVieren | N Ernst |
| 8/10 9:30a | Michael, Finley, Ashlyn | C Guizerix | - |
| 8/16 5:30p | - | P Wilks | A Keene |
| 8/17 9:30a | Kathleen, Evelyn, Daniel | Youth | - |
Upcoming Events
- Confessions every Fri & Sat ~5pm until Mass and Sunday ~9am until Mass
- Fri, August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Holy Day of Obligation - Masses: Thursday, August 14, 5:30 p.m. and Friday, August 15 at 5:30 p.m.
- Sun, August 17 Third Quarter Social - Potluck Brunch following 9:30 a m Mass
- Sun, September 7 Sunday Morning Catechism resumes after 9:30 a.m. Mass with Coffee & Donuts
For Your Information:
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
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.
MAUSOLEUM We have reached the end of our sales period for the Mausoleum. It will, of course, be possible to purchase spaces in the future, Our sales representative, Garth Daniels, can be reached at (318) 295-4409 If you have any questions or you know of anyone else interested in making a purchase, please encourage them to speak with Garth or call the church office.
THIRD QUARTER SOCIAL will be a Potluck Brunch on Sunday, August 17 in the Church Hall. The Committee for the event includes Shannon and Bart Wood and Betty and Kenny Smith, co-chairs, MaryKathryn Book, Kendra and Dave Collins, Connie and Dan Copes, Kaci and Norman Ernst, Lance and Stephenie Marsh, Peggy and Phil Scurria, Beth and Chip Sullivan
PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON Our Father in Heaven through the intercession of our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during the Hurricane Season from all harm. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hastened to help us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen (Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30)
Our Return to the Lord
Stewardship Am I waiting for the “right” time to become a good steward? Do I plan to share my time and talents “later”? Today’s Gospel warns those who are procrastinating about stewardship to be prepared –”at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
SECOND COLLECTION this weekend is for support of our diocesean retreat center, Maryhill.
| Weekly Budget FY 2025-2026 | $ 2,500 |
| July Budget | $ 10,000 |
| July Collections | $ 14,417 |
| July Total Expenses | $ 6,599 * |
| August Budget | $ 10,000 |
| August 3 Collection | $ 5,599 |
| August Collections To Date | $ 5,599 |
Let us Rejoice in the Lord!
Happy Birthday Elizabeth Crothers (Aug 21), who is celebrating her 95th birthday!
Happy Anniversary Shannon & Bart Wood (Aug 15), Sue & Mike Rome (Aug 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 representative
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, 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
Our friends and relatives who need our prayers: Ashley Alexander (Regan), Graham Allen (S Gilfoil), Marie Farlow Bellard, 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), Mike Coullard (Oliver), Gene Cox, Marla Evans Cummins, Carol Dipert (Rome), Mac Donaldson (Ellerbee), Mike Farlow, Patty Farlow, Judy Fortenberry, April Franklin (Wilks), Fred and Cathy Fulton, Thom Gilfoil, Wyly Gilfoil (Gilfoil), LaVonne Givens, Charlotte Green, Rita Hargrave, Evie Hilburn (Lancaster), Lonnie Hollowell (Naya), Charles Howington, Callie Halbach Hyams, Will Irby (P Gilfoil), Diane Johnson, Carla Leese (S Gilfoil), LaLa Lopez (Hernandez), Caroline Marcello (Watts), Michelle McGuire(Gilfoil), Kiely McKellar (S Gilfoil), Frank McKinney, 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, Matilda Johnson, Caroline Marsh, EmmyLu Marsh, Charlize Richardson, Carter Sullivan, Walker Sullivan, Chandler Wood, Marsh Wood
