If I had 100 keys, but lost one of them, I’d go after that lost key, no?  Only that key can open for me the right door. Everyone is unqiue, important, loved by God.  “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?”

Every time we go to confession, there’s a party in heaven.  “And if he finds [the lost sheep], amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray..”

Faith or fear????  Today our Gospel Jesus tells us not to be afraid. The bible says that 365 times, you know.  Do no tbe afraid.  And then he says to get rid of all your stuff — a theme that continues from the last few Sundays of detachment.  Most fear comes becuase we’re afraid of losing something — we fear that we might lose our money, reputation, popularity, looks, health, spouse, child, LIFE.

But Jesus is saying:  GIVE EVERYTHING TO ME – then you don’t need to fear….why???  because you don’t have anything!  Except you do! He says he will give us the kingdom.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms.

We need not fear….becuase we have given it all to Jesus….and in return, he gives the kingdom.

Faith!  Faith is huge, we pray for more of it daily.  Listen to our second reading….by faith Abraham went out, by faith he went to a land he didn’t know, by faith he received power to generate (despite ALL the odds), by faith he was ready to offer up Issac, by faith by faith by faith!

Faith has so much power!  For Abraham and for everyone….

What the faith has done! the churches, the schools, hospitals, food pantries, SVDP societies, religious orders, monasteries, seminaries, convents, etc etc etc…ALL BUILT BY FAITH

What as YOUR faith made you to do?

“By faith Fr. Mike did this, by faith he did that, by faith by faith….”  what might that narrative read after our lvies on earth are over????

Faith or fear???  We pick FAITH

Today is the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr…patron saint of deacons.  “Sheltered under the name of Jesus Christ, I do not fear these pains, for they do not last long.”

Today we hear in our first reading all about the Lord’s voice, how he is speaking to us all the time. He speaks….through the bible….through our hearts….through one another….LISTEN!

Today is the Memorial of Saint Dominic….”We must sow the seed, not hoard it.”

Few things bring us happiness like deeply rooted daily routines. There is something about healthy routines and rituals that leads the human person to flourish.” Matthew Kelly