liturgical calendar & mass intentions st. francis de sales ... · 9/9/2017 · st. francis de...

St. Francis de Sales Catholic ChurchArchdiocese of Atlanta

Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) ___________________________________________________________________________

Dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacramentsaccording to the 1962 Roman Missal of St. John XXIII

587 Landers Drive, Mableton, GA 30126

Website: www.stfrancisdesalesatl.comEmail: [email protected]

Office: 770-948-6888 Emergency Cell: 404-291-1595 Bookstore: 770-745-3613

Pastor:Assistant:

Rev. Carlos S. Casavantes, FSSPRev. Joseph DeGuzman, FSSPRev. Mr. Doug Anderson (AoA)

[email protected]@gmail.com

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XVI Sunday after Pentecost – September 24, 2017_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Liturgical Calendar & Mass IntentionsConfessions heard before all Masses. Sundays 6:45, 8:15 & 10:30am

Sun, Sep 24 XVI Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am Richard Pfund Stein, Sr. ✝ by Peter Holiday 9:00am Pro Populo 11:30am Maria Therese Fredette by Henry & Rosilene Fredette

Mon, Sep 25 Feria 6:30am T. L. Family 12:00pm Don & Joanne Palaschak by Sims Family

Sun, Oct 1 XVII Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am Pro Populo 9:00am Souls in Purgatory 11:30am Rev. Mr. & Mrs. Anderson by Pat Murphy

Tue, Sep 26 Sts. Jean Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, & Companions 6:30am M. R. Family 9:00am Rebecca Bruyere by Michael & Veronica Bruyere

Wed, Sep 27 Sts. Cosmas and Damian 6:30am J. B.✝ 12:00pm Inés de Torres ✝ by Ines Lavelle

Thu, Sep 28 St. Wenceslaus 6:30am Intentions of C. G. 9:00am Rasnick Family Fri, Sep 29 St. Michael the Archangel 12:00pm Intentions of Pope St. John Paul II 7:30pm Fr Matthew McCarthy

Sat, Sep 30 St. Jerome 7:00am Intentions of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI 9:00am Nicholas Wright by Michael & Veronica Bruyere

Last Sunday's Collection: $5,268.50 God reward you.

Congratulations to Maria Fredette who will be making her First Holy Communion at the 11:30am Mass today, which is also her 7th Birthday.

Today: Second collection for St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Today – The Knights will host their annual Altar Servers Appreciation Lunch after the 11:30am Mass. Hamburger/Hot dog plates will be on sale to benefit the FSSP Seminarians. Active servers get a free lunch/certificate.

Today - Adult Education: in Adult Ed. classroom in the basementThis week:10:15am - Bible Timeline – The Early World Genesis 1-31:30pm - Epic! – NO CLASSNext week:10:15am - Bible Timeline – The Early World Part 2 Genesis 4-111:30pm - Epic! – Persecution Part 2

Today - Catechist Training: “Protecting God's Children” will be taking place 11:30am – 2:30pm in the large basement classroom near the parking lot. A repeat class will be held on Sun, Oct. 1 from 1pm – 4pm. Catechists must register online in order to receive credit:https://archatl.com/ministries-services/safe-environment/volunteers/.Dr. Randal Mandock will present his analysis of the “John Jay” report in a brief discussion immediately following both classes.

https://archatl.com/ministries-services/safe-environment/volunteers/

St. Francis de Sales ParishConfessions 15 mins before weekday Masses: Sundays 6:45, 8:15 & 10:30amBaptism Contact the parish at least six weeks before birth.Marriage Contact the parish at least six months before the wedding.Legion of Mary meets Wednesdays at 7:00pmRosary before 9:00am and 11:30am Sunday MassesKnights of Columbus meet 2nd Mon of month: Rosary 6:30pm, dinner, meeting starts 7:30pm: https://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/about.asp?CNO=14625Eucharistic Exposition Friday after evening Mass.Religious Education (CCD) Sundays at 10:15 (Sept-May).Columbian Squires: Circle meets on 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:15pmFNE: Female scouting grp meets Sat am: [email protected]

What is God like?by Rev. J Edgar Burns @ 1962

God’s Universal Compassion (Cont'd) …

The point of the story - a parable as it is termed today - is that God wished Jonah to go to Nineveh and convert the Assyrians (a people feared and hated in antiquity for their arrogance and cruelty). Jonah would have none of this and set sail for Tharsis (a Phoenician colony in Southern Spain), as far away in the opposite direction as he could go. Immediately we begin to see the wonderful humor underlying the tale. God, whose will cannot be thwarted, makes use of a storm at sea and a “large fish” to carry Jonah back to the shores of Palestine, and so Jonah, disgruntled, sets off for Nineveh. No sooner does he preach repentance to the Ninevites than they hasten to comply and thus they are spared the wrath of God. “But this was greatly displeasing to Jonah and he became angry” (Jonah 4:1).

He leaves the city sulking like a little boy, and seats himself at a distance from it to see what would happen. God provides a shady plant to shelter the prophet and he “was very happy over the plant” (4:6). But, to teach the prophet a lesson, God just as quickly allows the plant to wither. Jonah was furious, and it is at this point that Jonah receives a rebuke that tells us more about the merciful compassion of God than many much longer and better known passages in the Scriptures: “You are concerned over the plant which cost you no labor and which you did not raise; it came up in one night and in one night it perished. And should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle” (Jonah 4:10-11)?

The mentality that appropriates God to a particular race, nation, or social class is common enough today, but it is clear from these final verses of the book of Jonah that God utterly rejects such petty exclusiveness. His care and concern extend to those who know Him not and who lack even a developed moral sense. Yet throughout the story He is gentle, treating Jonah with patient humor as He treats the Assyrians with forbearance.

To be continued ...

Congratulations to Maria Fredette who will be making her First Holy Communion at the 11:30am Mass today, which is also her 7th Birthday.

Today: Second collection for St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Today – The Knights will host their annual Altar Servers Appreciation Lunch after the 11:30am Mass. Hamburger/Hot dog plates will be on sale to benefit the FSSP Seminarians. Active servers get a free lunch/certificate.

Today - Adult Education: in Adult Ed. classroom in the basementThis week:10:15am - Bible Timeline – The Early World Genesis 1-31:30pm - Epic! – NO CLASSNext week:10:15am - Bible Timeline – The Early World Part 2 Genesis 4-111:30pm - Epic! – Persecution Part 2

Today - Catechist Training: “Protecting God's Children” will be taking place 11:30am – 2:30pm in the large basement classroom near the parking lot. A repeat class will be held on Sun, Oct. 1 from 1pm – 4pm. Catechists must register online in order to receive credit:https://archatl.com/ministries-services/safe-environment/volunteers/.Dr. Randal Mandock will present his analysis of the “John Jay” report in a brief discussion immediately following both classes.

Congratulations to Jude Kolodzy, Lucas Kolodzy, and Phillip Wright who were invested as Columbian Squires into the Father Kenneth Walker, FSSP, Circle # 5809. Our parish's Circle is the largest in Georgia.

Help needed: Roswell family looking for help with rides to medical appointments and/or occasional babysitting. Will pay $15/hour. Contact Lisa Marks at (404) 754-3793.

Office complex entrance will be under construction starting Mon., Sept. 25. Please refrain from using that entrance after that date until further notice. Please use the side entrance by the bookstore to access the office complex.

Confirmation class will begin on Sun, Oct. 8 at 1:00pm in the 9th

grade classroom. The class will last through March.

Federation of North-American Explorers: The Staff of St. Joseph FNE Group is looking for a volunteer with accounting experience to take the position of Treasurer. For more details, please contact Liliana Barkes at [email protected]

Friday, Sept. 29, St. Michael: There will be a Sung Mass in the evening followed by a light reception in the social hall. Please bring something to share.

Sunday, Oct. 1 the Knights of Columbus and Squires will be hosting a pancake breakfast FUNDRAISER after the 9 & 11:30 Masses!

https://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/about.asp?CNO=14625

mailto:[email protected]








Pastor:Assistant:



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XV Sunday after Pentecost – September 17, 2017_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Sun, Sep 17 XV Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am Gisela Dyer by Michael & Veronica Bruyere 9:00am Pro Populo 11:30am Lloyd Bird by Elizabeth Bird

Mon, Sep 18 St. Joseph of Cupertino 6:30am Joseph R. Nolan✝ 12:00pm Special Intention for Cunningham Family by Elliott Family

Sun, Sep 24 XVI Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am Richard Pfund Stein, Sr. ✝ by Peter Holiday 9:00am Pro Populo 11:30am Maria Therese Fredette by Henry & Rosilene Fredette

Tue, Sep 19 Sts. Januarius & Companions No 6:30am Mass 9:00am Peggy Nolan✝

Wed, Sep 20 Ember Wednesday 6:30am C. Z.✝ 12:00pm John C. Donlon ✝ by Richard Perry

Thu, Sep 21 St. Matthew 6:30am M. A. and E. B.✝ ✝ 9:00am Richard Incata ✝ by Michael Incata

Fri, Sep 22 Ember Friday 12:00pm C. F.✝ 7:00pm Kennel Family by Camille Prater Exposition after Mass

Sat, Sep 23 Ember Saturday 7:00am G. M.✝ 9:00am Christopher Wright by Wright Family

Last Sunday's Collection: $4,792.68 God reward you. FSSP Seminary Burse: $1311.00

Today: There will be a presentation in the social hall by the St. Francis Xavier Peru missionaries after the 9:00am and 11:30am Masses. They will be sharing their experiences from the SFX Mission trip in August and to answer any questions.

Today - Adult Education: in Adult Ed. classroom in basement.This week:10:15am - Bible Timeline – Introduction and Overview Part 21:30pm - Epic! – Persecution Part 1Next week:10:15am - Bible Timeline – The Early World Genesis 1-31:30pm - Epic! – Persecution Part 2

Next Sunday - Altar Server Appreciation Lunch: The Knights of Columbus will host their annual lunch for Altar Servers after the 11:30am Mass on Sep. 24. Hamburger and hot dog plates will be on sale to benefit the FSSP Seminarians at OLGS Seminary in Nebraska. Active, scheduled servers get a free lunch and a certificate, so please plan to be there!

Next Sun, Sep. 24: Second collection for St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Help needed: Roswell family looking for help with rides to medical appointments and/or occasional M-F babysitting. Will pay $10/hour. Contact Lisa Marks at (404) 754-3793.

``

St. Francis de Sales ParishConfessions 15 mins before weekday Masses: Sundays 6:45, 8:15 & 10:30amBaptism Contact the parish at least six weeks before birth.Marriage Contact the parish at least six months before the wedding.Legion of Mary meets Wednesdays at 7:00pmRosary before 9:00am and 11:30am Sunday MassesKnights of Columbus meet 2nd Mon of month: Rosary 6:30pm, dinner, meeting starts 7:30pm: https://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/about.asp?CNO=14625Eucharistic Exposition Friday after evening Mass.Religious Education (CCD) Sundays at 10:15 (Sept-May).Columbian Squires: Circle meets on 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:15pmFNE: Female scouting group meets Sat am: [email protected]


Continued…

The dialogue between God and man progresses paradoxically: man hears God’s words as those of the unmistakably divine. Yet he hears them from the lips of fellow men. In the varied and colorful people God uses to speak His message, we see His increasingly intense desire to communicate with men.

It is perhaps not the least bit surprising that the “angel of Yahweh” who appears in the early books of the Old Testament and then disappears, is announced as due to return in the last of the prophetical books: “And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, and the messenger (angel) of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the Lord” (Mal. 3:1). Time alone would prove how this prediction was close to the truth indeed, without being the whole truth.

God’s Universal CompassionFrom the period of Persian rule over Judea until the days of John the Baptist, there were no prophets (1 Mach., 4:46). But if the word of god was not spoken and the man of God did not step forth to announce himself, God was neither absent nor entirely obscure. It was precisely at this time that the “Wisdom literature: flourished - writings which were ultimately incorporated into the Bible. In other words, the counsels and maxims of the wise men or sages of Israel were recognized as inspired. This judgment was itself divinely inspired and reveals to us, as it did to those who first made it, the enormously enlarged perspective of God that man had attained.

This is splendidly exemplified in the remarkable little book known as the prophecy of Jonah. It is fairly well agreed upon today that this book is much closer to Wisdom literature than to prophecy, a link between the prophetic and the sapiential books. Undoubtedly the book of Jonah preserves some memory of a prophet by that name who lived in the eighth century B.C., but the narrative dates from a period three or four centuries later. At that time the spirit of narrow nationalism was rampant among the Jews of Palestine and Jonah represents this state of mind. Perhaps the original prophet had been remembered as a dyspeptic, but it is striking to find a genuine prophet framed in such an unfavorable light.

To be continued ...

Next Sun, Sep. 24 - Catechist Training: “Protecting God's Children” is required "safe environment" training for catechists and a suggested information session for parents. Training will be offered for the first time here on 2 dates: Sunday, September 24 from 11:30am – 2:30pm and Sunday, October 1 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm in the large basement classroom near the parking lot. You only need to attend one of the sessions. Catechists must register online in order to receive credit:https://archatl.com/ministries-services/safe-environment/volunteers/.Also, Dr. Randal Mandock, our director of religious education, will present his analysis of the “John Jay” report in a brief discussionimmediately following both classes. Please sign up in the vestibule or parish hall for an accurate headcount. For more information, please contact Randal Mancock at: [email protected]

Office complex entrance, will be under construction starting Mon., Sept. 25th. Please refrain from using that entrance after that date until further notice. Please use the side entrance by the bookstore to access the office complex.

Confirmation class will start on Oct. 1st at 11:30am in the 9th grade classroom. The course will last through March.













Pastor:Assistant:



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XIV Sunday after Pentecost – September 10, 2017_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Sun, Sep 10 XIV Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 9:00am Pro Populo 11:30am Justine Aloise by Christina Montone

Mon, Sep 11 Feria 6:30am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 12:00pm ✝Ralph W. Pennington by Richard Perry

Sun, Sep 17 XV Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am Gisela Dyer by Michael & Veronica Bruyere 9:00am Pro Populo 11:30am Lloyd Bird by Elizabeth Bird

Tue, Sep 12 Most Holy Name of Mary 6:30am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 9:00am Ron & Kim Welch Wedding Anniv by Welch Family

Wed, Sep 13 Feria 6:30am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 12:00pm St Gerard Ministry

Thu, Sep 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross 6:30am Chris & Laura Sims Wedding Anniversary 9:00am Richard Morris ✝ by Thomas Anderson

Fri, Sep 15 Seven Sorrows of the BVM 12:00pm Consecration of Russia to IHM 7:00pm Celebrant's Intention Exposition after Mass

Sat, Sep 16 Sts. Cornelius & Cyprian 7:00am F.O.S.S. ✝ by Rechuel Francisco 9:00am Celebrant's Intention

Last Sunday's Collection: $4,288.50 God reward you. Catholic University of America: $85.00

Today - Adult Education: in Adult Ed. classroom in the basement10:15am - Bible Timeline – Introduction and Overview Part 11:30pm - Epic! – Introduction and Mustard SeedNext week:10:15am - Bible Timeline – Introduction and Overview Part 21:30pm - Epic! – Persecution Part 1

Today - The Columbian Squires will be holding an investiture ceremony for young men (10-18yrs) to join the Squires in the library at 1:15 pm. Please see any squire to fill out an application, or simply show up with at least one parent/guardian. The initiation fee is $12.50. To be eligible to participate in all our upcoming fun activities and outings with our priests, you must go through the investiture ceremony.

Next Sun – Sep 17: There will be a presentation in the social hall by the St Francis Xavier Peru missionaries after the 9:00am and 11:30am Masses. They will be sharing their experiences from the SFX Mission trip in August and to answer any questions.


Congratulations to Frank and Rose Petraglia who celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on Thursday, Sep 7.


St. Francis de Sales ParishConfessions 15 mins before weekday Masses: Sundays 6:45, 8:15 & 10:30amBaptism Contact the parish at least six weeks before birth.Marriage Contact the parish at least six months before the wedding.Legion of Mary meets Mondays at 7:00pmRosary before 9:00am and 11:30am Sunday MassesKnights of Columbus meet 2nd Mon of month: Rosary 6:30pm, dinner, meeting starts 7:30pm: https://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/about.asp?CNO=14625Eucharistic Exposition Friday after evening Mass.Religious Education (CCD) Sundays at 10:15 (Sept-May).Columbian Squires: Circle meets on 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:15pmFNE: Female scouting grp meets Sat am: [email protected]


Continued…

The Prophets’ Awareness of God

The possibility of God having been seen, even in this veiled way, does not outweigh the certain awareness of Him which the prophets and wise men of Israel recorded. Among the prophets perhaps none discloses more vividly than Jeremiah the extent to which God becomes a compelling reality in the life and experience of man. Sensitive, reticent, self-conscious Jeremiah naturally shunned the publicity and animosity to which his vocation exposed him: “I say to myself, I will not mention Him, I will speak in His name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it” (Jer. 20:9).

The spiritual vision God gave to such a man is rare and moving; it is the vision of a God who describes Himself as “the source of living waters) (2:13), as an untiring love (31:3) and father (31:9), as the searcher of hearts who will not accept superficial piety as worship nor sanctimonious hypocrisy as religion (chapter 5 and especially chapter 7). He is a God who directs His servants to shock the complacent with startling performances (Jer. 27:1-3; cf. Is. 20:1-4) just as He Himself intervenes decisively and dramatically in support of them (Jer. 28:15 - 17). He is, above all, a God who seeks commitment and acknowledgment from man: “For the sake of the Lord, be circumcised, remove the foreskins of your hearts” (Jer. 4:4).

The line of prophets, so aptly termed by a recent author as “the Conscience of Israel” came to an end some time in the fourth or fifth centuries B.C. These men of widely varied backgrounds and highly individualistic personalities shared one thing only in common: their vocation, their courageous fulfillment of the need to witness to God’s challenging presence and to speak His word. In doing so, and because of the dissimilarity among them, they demonstrated the infinite capacity of that word for expression.

To be continued ...

Tuesday Sep 19 there will not be a 6:30am Mass.

Sun Sep 24 - Altar Server Appreciation Lunch: The Knights of Columbus will host their annual Altar Servers Appreciation Lunch after the 11:30am Mass. Hamburger and hot dog plates will be on sale to benefit the FSSP Seminarians at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska. Active, scheduled servers get a free lunch and a certificate, so please plan to be there!

Chatechist Training - Protecting God's Children (PGC) is required "safe environment" training for catechists and a suggested information session for parents. Training will be offered for the first time here on 2 dates: Sunday, September 24 from 11:30am – 2:30pm and Sunday, October 1 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm in the large basement classroom near the parking lot. You only need to attend one of the sessions. Catechists must register online in order to receive credit:https://archatl.com/ministries-services/safe-environment/volunteers/.Also, Dr. Randal Mandock, our director of religious education, will present his analysis of the “John Jay” report in a brief discussionimmediately following both classes. Please sign up in the vestibule or parish hall for an accurate headcount. For more information, please contact Randall Mancock at: [email protected]

The Missive: Follow the new FSSP blog for the latest news from the North American District, stories from the apostolates and missions, and more! You can sign up to receive alerts when a new story is published and subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter. See https://fssp.com/the-missive/





https://fssp.com/the-missive/







Pastor:Assistant:



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XIII Sunday after Pentecost – September 3, 2017_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Sun, Sep 3 XIII Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am Janet M. Donlon ✝ by Richard Perry 9:00am Pro Populo 11:30am John Rasnick Family by Maggie Lee

Mon, Sep 4 Feria 6:30am America by Mary Hagerty 12:00pm Celebrant's Intention

Sun, Sep 10 XIV Sunday after Pentecost 7:15am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 9:00am Justine Aloise by Christina Montone 11:30am Pro Populo

Tue, Sep 5 St Lawrence Justinian 6:30am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 9:00am Celebrant's Intention

Wed, Sep 6 Feria 6:30am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 12:00pm Marissa Ann Heard by Lloyd & Elizabeth Bird

Thu, Sep 7 Feria 6:30am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 9:00am Celebrant's Intention

Fri, Sep 8 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 12:00pm In Reparation for Every Idle Word 7:00pm Bolivar Gabela ✝ by Ines Lavelle Exposition after Mass

Sat, Sep 9 Saturday of Our Lady 7:00am In Reparation for Every Idle Word 9:00am SFdS Volunteers

Last Sunday's Collection: $6,441.51 God reward you.

Today: Seminary Burse collection to support the FSSP Seminarians.Please make checks payable to “ FSSP ” rather than to the parish and include in the first collection. Thank you.

Today: Second collection will be for the Catholic University of America.

Next Sunday - Adult Education: Classes will resume Sun, Sep 10.10:15am - The Great Adventure: A Journey Through the Bible1:30pm - EPIC: A Journey Through Church History

Next Sunday - The Columbian Squires will be holding an investiture ceremony for young men to join the Squires in the library at 1:15 pm on Sun, Sep 10. If you’re 10-18 and would like to join, please see any squire to fill out an application, or show up with at least one parent or guardian The initiation fee is $12.50. To be eligible to participate in all activities and outings with our priests, you must go through this ceremony.

Peru Mission Trip: There will be a presentation in the social hall on Sunday, September 17 after the 9:00am and 11:30am Masses. The Peru missionaries will be sharing their experiences from the St Francis Xavier Mission trip in August and to answer any questions.

The Missive: Follow the new FSSP blog for the latest news from the North American District, stories from the apostolates and missions, and more! You can sign up to receive alerts when a new story is published and subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter. See https://fssp.com/the-missive/

St. Francis de Sales ParishConfessions 15 mins before weekday Masses: Sundays 6:45, 8:15 & 10:30amBaptism Contact the parish at least six weeks before birth.Marriage Contact the parish at least six months before the wedding.Legion of Mary meets Mondays at 7:00pmRosary before 9:00am and 11:30am Sunday MassesKnights of Columbus meet 2nd Mon of month: Rosary 6:30pm, dinner, meeting starts 7:30pm: https://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/about.asp?CNO=14625Eucharistic Exposition Friday after evening Mass.Religious Education (CCD) Sundays at 10:15 (Sept-May).Columbian Squires: Circle meets on 2nd Sunday of the month at 1:15pmFNE: Female scouting grp meets Sat am: [email protected]


Continued…

God’s “Appearances” in the Old Testament

This reference to the “angel of Yahweh” introduces us to the subject of Theophanies, i.e., appearances of God in the Old Testament. If God ever appeared to man this should prove a fertile source of knowledge and information about Him. There are, as a matter of fact, a number of passages in the Old Testament concerned with such Theophanies, but before we take them up, it must be noted in advance that the belief is frequently expressed in the sacred books that no man can see God and live (cf. Ex. 33:20; Lev. 16:2; Judges 6:22-23, etc.). The fourth evangelist flatly states that “No one has at any time seen God” (John 1:18). What then are we to make of the appearances of God that are recorded? (cf. 1 John 4:12). Some of them are not even described as appearances of God, but rather as physical phenomena attesting to God’s dynamic presence. Here belong the manifestations of fire, cloud formations, thunder and smoke which accompanied the revelations of Sinai (Ex. 19 and 24), and the overhanging cloud of glory that marked the dedication of the Tent of Assembly in the wilderness (Exc. 40:31-36) and the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem (3 Kgs. 8:10-11). Obviously no difficulty presents itself in these cases. Moreover, we are not concerned with the flaming torch of Genesis 15:17 or the burning bush of Exodus 3:1f., although the divine predilection for fire as a representative symbol must be accepted as significant. God wants us to know that contact with the divine is a purifying and transforming experience (cf. Mal. 3:2; Is. 6:1-7).

Our interest centers on those passages in which God apparently appears in human form. The clearest examples of this are in Genesis 18:19; 32:27-31; and in Judges 6 and 13. In all but one instance the “men” who appear are identified with the “angel of the Lord.” The solitary exception is Genesis 32, but the wrestler of that incident is also identified with the “angel” by Hosea (Osee) the prophet (12:4). However, all scriptural scholars are agreed that the “angel of the Lord (Yahweh)” is no ordinary angel but a visible manifestation of God Himself. In all the passages in which He appears, this “angel” speaks as God, is addressed as God and accepts that designation.

There are, accordingly, two possible interpretations of these Theophanies:

FSSP Regina Caeli Parish in Houston: Thankfully the parish was untouched and suffered no flooding from Hurricane Harvey. However, there are parishioners who have been seriously affected and need help. If you are looking for ways to assist Houston, you can send contributions by check for the relief of Regina Caeli parishioners to the parish address below. Please designate FLOOD RELIEF in the memo line.

Regina Caeli Parish8121 Breen Rd.

Houston, TX 77064Please see www.reginacaeliparish.org for updated information and for a link to donate online. May God reward you.

they are either objective apparitions created by God and used by Him in the same way that He has used natural forces to manifest His presence, or they are a literary device employed by the author in a conventional way to describe an even of religious significance.

But whether we are dealing with real apparitions or with mere literary artifice, we shall have to conclude in either event that the “three men” of Genesis 18:2 must somehow foreshadow the doctrine of three persons in God, that the “someone” of Genesis 32:25 displays a divine affinity for perfect manhood, and that the “awesome” countenance of the “man of God” who appeared to Manoah’s wife in Judges 13:2-8 emphasizes the wondrous reflection of God’s beauty in His creatures. For even if, as is possible, the author made use of popular material derived from Canaanite or Babylonian sources, he adapted it, under inspiration, to teach, and he was inspired to choose it specifically as suitable for this purpose. To be continued ...



http://www.reginacaeliparish.org/

liturgical calendar & mass intentions st. francis de sales ... · 9/9/2017 · st. francis de...

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