In this morning's gospel (Mt 10:6), Jesus tells his apostles to go out and find the lost sheep of Israel. Who are the "lost sheep" in our lives that we need to bring home this Christmas?

It just might be that person in our lives that we had such a great relationship with @ some point in time, and that ship has long passed now because of some squabble. After a while the issue we were @ odds with has become trivial.

It may be that family member that we just cannot forgive for something that happened over twenty years ago. Wow...I cannot even remember what prayers I said this morning, and that was only twenty minutes ago.

Perhaps we have lost touch with some friends over the years - a card at Christmas or Easter is about the extent of that relationship. Better yet, maybe the "lost" live in the same house that we do. It could be that we are just in functional relationships.

Jesus is calling you and me on this Advent Saturday to begin the work of healing by bringing back the "lost" into our lives. We may have to first start with realizing our own need to be "found". 

Once we are able to be "found", that is, entering into a deeper relationship with Christ, then we will be able to reach out to the sheep that are most lost to us. They are a phone call away or just across the dining room table.

St. Anthony...pray for us.  Have a great day everyone and see you in Church!

Fr. Pat