The gospel this weekend is from St. Luke who speaks to us about preparation for the “…day that will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth…be vigilant…” That Last Day, like taxes, will come. Will you and I be prepared, as good Catholics, to meet the Lord and be judged? Will the outcome of eternal life be a real “surprise to me?”

Advent is a liturgical season that lasts four (4) weeks, which also marks the beginning of the Church Year—so Happy New (Church) Year! It is structured as the fourth Sunday before Christmas for its beginning and is a time of preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus on Christmas Day. The predominate color for this liturgical season is purple, symbolizing penance and preparation. However, on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, Rose is the color of the liturgies (Masses, prayer services, etc.) used to signify Joy and Hope.

This solemnity is celebrated to emphasize the Kingship of Christ and to extol His authority over all creation. It is interesting that we celebrate this solemnity on the last Sunday of Ordinary Time and right before the beginning of the Season of Advent; and immediately after all the hoopla of the US presidential elections. A little perspective here for our human condition

I want to express my sincerest and most appreciative thanks and gratitude to those involved with planning and executing the November 16th 50th Anniversary Gala dinner and celebrations at The Riverview in Weatogue last Saturday night.

Again, this weekend we hear about scribes—last week it was a scribe who came to Jesus and asked Him a question about the key Commandment, which was about coming to know or learn about the essence of our faith so that one might know how to truly live one’s life in faith. This week we hear Jesus warn about the duplicity of the scribes in general: are they religious leaders or courtiers