I want to share this with you: “You Need 100 Points”. 

It’s a story about a deacon who had a strange dream; a dream that he had died and was trying to get into heaven.  He approached the Pearly Gates, St. Peter told him he needed 100 points to get in.

The deacon said, "Well, I was a deacon in THE CHURCH."  

"Fine," said St. Peter, "That's worth one point."  

"One point? Is that all?"

"Yes, that's it," said St. Peter.

"Well," said the deacon, "I visited the sick from the parish."  

St. Peter said, "That's 1 point."

"I worked with young adults from our diocese," said the deacon. "That's worth one point.”

"I developed a number of excellent catechetical programs," said the deacon. "That's worth one point," - "You have four points now.

You need 96 more." "Oh no," said the deacon in somewhat of a panic.

"I feel so helpless, so inadequate. Except for the grace of God, I don't have a chance."

St. Peter smiled & said, "Grace of God--that counts for 96 points. Come on in!"  (Sermons.com 8/24/14)

A cute story that reminds us that there will be a final judgment; God's justice, God’s mercy and our free will demand it.  

Jesus is The Messiah – true God and true man and whether we are: a prince or a pauper; wealthy or poor; famous or known only to a few – each of us will answer for our actions.  St. Peter sinful and flawed, gives us HOPE; Jesus, Son of God loves Peter despite his shortcomings, He will love us despite our shortcomings.

May God Be Praised!

I ask you to join me and offer this prayer to the Lord hears our cry.

“Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” [Psalm 143] God, You are our refuge and our hope, we turn to you during this COVID 19 pandemic and plead for Your intercession.  In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic].

Grant strength to the first responders and medical personnel.  End this coronavirus scourge.  Bring Your light to all who wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give each of us hope in Your eternal love today and every day.  Amen.  [Dcn. George Kelly]