SEE YOU LATER ALLIGATOR!


Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Christ?      Luke 23:35-43



A group of American tourists were on a safari in deep Africa. The women on the tour were fascinated by the jewelry worn by many, especially the unusual necklace of the chief.  “What is that made of?” asked one of the women. “Alligator teeth,” replied the chief. “Oh,” said the woman, “I suppose they have the same kind of value for you that pearls have for us.” “Not quite,” scowled the chief. “Anyone can open an oyster!”

 

Most of us would be quite content to settle for the oyster and its nice little pearl, but life demands that we face the alligator, looking it squarely in the eye, and pull its teeth. The alligator we have to face is nothing less than ourselves.

 

This weekend‘s gospel gives us a look inside two men, both thieves who had lived their whole lives with their eyes closed, never really knowing themselves. One who hung on his cross on the side of Jesus, clung to his lifelong habit of blaming others for his fate. He died in his anger and blindness.

 

The other thief broke the habit. He opened his eyes and saw the truth about himself. That truth freed him to ask for help from a God who have been waiting so long to give it to him. That same God looked at him and said, “This day you will be with me in paradise!” May God grant us the same grace to set aside our fears, to open our eyes to see what God sees in us. Then, on that day, our true destiny will begin. We will at last have begun to grow into the person God has dreamed for us to become from the day we were born.

 

Maybe it’s time we face the alligator.


Fr. Don


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Notes

Time for the "A" Team


ANOINT

We will have the "Anointing of the Sick" after the 9:00am Mass.


ASSEMBLE

Please join us for mass on Thanksgiving Day at 8:30am.


AID

We will be collecting food for the next two weeks for our St. Vincent de Paul Society. Please check the bulletin for details.


ADVENT

Tree Lighting and Wreath Making will take place next weekend, 11/27. Please be sure to RSVP to the Front office and let us know if you will be participating. Details in this weeks bulletin.




For up to date information and a calendar of events,

please check out the bulletin and/or the website at www.stlads.org