"Stand up and go! Your faith has saved you." As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, let us be thankful for the gift of faith that grounds our families and binds us together in love.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne." At the end of the liturgical year, we profess our faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Father is reconciling all things to himself in the Lord Jesus.

"For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night." As we approach the end of the liturgical year, we are reminded that we are to be vigilant and watchful as we await the coming of the Lord.

"Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Today's Gospel focus is on the end times, but that is not meant to strike fear in our hearts. Rather, it is a call to hope in the saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb." We celebrate our unity in Christ with the Communion of Saints, even as we look to them as models of faith and perseverance for these troubled times.

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." God is love. Jesus is the incarnation of love. Salvation for us is being transformed into love through the action of the Holy Spirit.

"He said to them, 'Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.'" This is first of three Sundays until the national election in the United States. Today's gospel reminds us that we are pilgrims on earth and our true citizenship is in heaven.

"Go out into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find." Jesus presents his Parable of the Wedding Feast. All are welcome!

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will remain." These words from the Gospel Acclamation present to us the teaching of today's readings.

"Jesus said to them, 'Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.'" Jesus consistently said that the Kingdom of God is extended far beyond those we would normally expect and that the religious are to be people of mercy.