Musings from the Sugar Bush

The stocking orders are coming in steadily. I am grateful because with the current financial situation in the country, I didn't expect for us to do so well. Traditionally I have used stocking money to pay for Christmas including our charitable giving. Soon the Bell Ringers will be out in full force. And there will be collection boxes for our military families. In our school, one of our teachers takes on the task of collecting for those less fortunate. I am blessed that we are able to contribute to these causes. I remember the year of the flood in 1986 when our family was on the receiving end of these kinds of collections. I have never forgotten it and I am grateful to be able to pay the love forward.

Word of the day:
Friday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel
Lk 12:54-59
Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain–and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to settle the matter on the way; otherwise your opponent will turn you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison. I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”