"He hath rescued us from the power of darkness"
     TODAY is the Sunday on which the Church reminds us of Judgment. Christ tells us that we should always be prepared for the day of Judgment and not to take any chances, like George did at his birthday party. George was having a wonderful birthday party. All his friends had been invited and the noise of their shouting and gay laughter filled the whole house. Just as the games were at their best, the cry went up, "There is a fire in the cellar." Now, of course, George did not want his party to be spoiled. Why, the ice cream hadn't even been served yet. So he said, "Go on playing for a while longer. We can use the street door." Well, the children played on and the fire burned on until the street door was cut off. But George said, "Keep on playing. We can use the roof door." They moved up to the top floor and the fire came still closer and even melted the ice cream. George said, "Go on playing. I have the key in my pocket." They kept on playing and the fire crept closer. Then even George thought it was time to leave. He walked over to the door and put in the key. Then he turned pale and was really afraid. He had the wrong key. A l l the children banged on the roof door and began to shout, "Fireman, fireman, open the door!" The firemen saved them just in time.
     So often in His preaching our Lord warned us about death and Judgment. He told us again and again to beready. "Watch ye, therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour."
     The best and only preparation we can make is to be ready always. Many people have devoted their lives to this thought. When death threatens they are ready to act. Ambulance drivers are always ready to race through the city streets in a contest of speed with death. The police emergency squad will reach any part of the city in a few minutes to save a life. The firemen who rescued the children from George's party are always standing by. Hospital surgeons are ready, operation rooms are always prepared, and nurses are always on the alert. A priest is ready at any time, day or night, to go to a sickbed or the scene of an accident. As soon as death threatens there are people whose whole lives are devoted to being ready to act and to save. But how often is the person most concerned — the one who is about to die — how often is he ready? How often do people find themselves making hasty preparation for the greatest moment of their lives? How often do they forget the warning of Christ that death comes like a thief in the night? "Watch ye therefore and pray because you know not the day nor the hour."
                                           Source:  Heirs of the Kingdom, Imprimatur 1949

                                                      The Spool of Red Thread
                                              The Image of Christ in Our Souls

What is a tapestry? It is a picture woven into cloth. Old Thomas, the weaver, was once making a tapestry for the king. It was to be a picture of the king. Long and hard labored Old Thomas, through the day and into the night. Soon the tapestry would be finished. One night Old Thomas laid away his spools of thread in their places and went home. A spool of red thread grew very curious. (Here it is.) "From where I am I can see only the back of this weaving," he said to himself, " I wonder what it looks like on the other side." Around the loom he rolled and then he could see the whole picture. "Not bad, not bad at all for an old man," he murmured. "There's one thing wrong with it, though, there's not enough red in it. In fact, there is hardly any. Doesn't he know that I am one of the seven primary colors? I won't work any more. I quit." He came around to the back of the loom and pulled out all of the red threads. Then he rolled himself into a corner and began to pout. Old Thomas came in the next morning and what do you think he saw. The tapestry was almost finished but the king's red velvet shoes were gone. He looked all over and found the huffy red spool sulking in a corner. "I need you," he said. Back went all the red threads into the picture again. The king came to see the work soon after that and admired it. He said, "It is well done, especially the shoes. I like them." Well, don't you think the surly old spool felt silly after that.   
    We come back again to the image of Christ. All the threads were working together to make and image of the king. Christ the King and we are trying to make an image of Him in our souls.
    The lesson is this story cooperation. When a group of people are doing anything they must all work together. You are foolish if you behave like the red spool of thread and say, "If i can't play the backfield, I won't play at all." Maybe the other fellow is really better than you. Or to say, "If I can't play the leading part in the play I won't play at all." Maybe the other girl whom Sister picked is a better actress than you are.
    Here is your assignment for the week. Cooperate with someone just once this week- just for fun of it. Let Johnny carry the ball once in a while, even if it is your ball. As we have said before many times, you are making a picture of Christ in your hearts. Don't spoil that picture by selfishness.
Here is a poem for you as a final thought.
                                                            My life is but a weaving
                                                          Between my God and me.
                                                        I may but choose the colors,
                                                              He weaveth skillfully.
                                                        Full oft He chooses sorrow,
                                                                And I foolish pride,
                                                          Forget He sees the upper,
                                                               And I the under side.
   
                                           Source; Heaven words- Imprimatur 1941