Sights of Color

Today is Black Friday - a day normally associated with getting up before the sun rises, standing in long lines for a store to open, racing around a store gathering up the deals...all to get what we want. Black in this context signifies money being spent, revenues growing and moving retailers "into the black."

Black is a solemn color, frequently marking a major passage. For Catholics, black is normally a sign of mourning. We see it used on Good Friday and the recent All Soul's Day.

Our day of thanks with family is now in the rear view mirror. We are now off on a race for the next month to "get ready for Christmas." Perhaps we can pause on Black Friday as a moment to prepare for the upcoming Season of Advent. Consider reflecting on who you want to "be" during Advent in addition to all you need to do and what you want.

Maybe get up early and be thankful for all you have been given by God and how you can share it with others. And if you do go out on Black Friday, spread the "thank you's" generously today and throughout the Advent Season.

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JUST FOR FUN - HOW IS COLOR USED IN OUR FAITH?

As Catholics, we use color as an important signal of the various parts of our liturgical year. We see it in our priests' vestments and the colors of decorations and flowers present in the church.

• White and gold - Most appropriate for Christmas and Easter - Symbol of purity, it is used on all Feasts of Our Lord except those relating to the Passion, all Feasts of Our Lady, and on the Feasts of Saints who are not Martyrs.
• Red: For on feasts of the Passion of Jesus and for the Holy Spirit, representing red tongues of fire, in addition to being worn for the feasts of martyred saints, who shed their red blood for Christ.
• Green: The color of vestments used during ordinary time. (Ordinary time is the rest of the year that’s not the Christmas or Easter season)
• Purple or violet: Symbol of penance, it is part of Advent and Lent, and along with white and black, these colors may also be used at Funeral Masses
• Rose: These are a substitute for violet on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the color rose may be worn as a sign of anticipated joy.