Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Do you hear God’s voice? Do you recognize His presence when He manifests Himself? The Lord is risen and seeks a relationship with you. Jesus asks you the same question he asked St. Peter in today’s Gospel: “Do you love me?”
The Lord’s question to you is very intimate, an offer that implies vulnerability and the possibility of rejection. What is your answer? St. Peter answered quickly that he did love Jesus. Are you ready to answer quickly or do you need to think about it? Is your answer measured, conditional? If you say ‘yes, then you need to love Him with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mk. 12:30). If you say ‘no,’ then you reject His intimacy and endanger your salvation. What is your answer: Do you love Jesus?
To love Jesus means that you will become like Him by His grace. You will be rejected, bound, led to where you do not want to go. You will do the heavenly Father’s will and not your own, following Jesus wherever He leads you. You will be exalted on high with the angels and the saints living forever in love and in light. Do you still need to make up your mind?
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 