Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Eternal life is what Jesus Christ came to bring. “And this is eternal life [Jesus said], that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent (Jn. 17:3).” In order to live forever, to be happy forever, we must believe in One whom God the Father sent to save us, Jesus Christ. He will shepherd us through death into life forever. By rising from the dead, Jesus invites all men to believe in Him so that they, too, might live forever in heaven with the Most Blessed Trinity and all the saints and angels.
How do we “cash in” on the gift of eternal life which Our Lord came to bring? In the Gospel for this Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice, know Him and follow Him (Jn. 10:27). Implicitly, there are some who do not hear the voice of Jesus, do not know Him, and do not follow Him. Saints Paul and Barnabas warned their listeners in the Acts of the Apostles that those who reject the Word of God condemn themselves as unworthy of eternal life (Acts 13:46). The Resurrection of Jesus forces every person to make his decision: Do I believe in Jesus Christ and will I follow Him?
The Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, laid down His life for His sheep in order to give them eternal life. Please hear the voice of the Good Shepherd Who speaks to us in the Scriptures, the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church, and in Holy Mass. Seek to know the Lord through personal prayer. Follow Him in by imitating His life, death, and Resurrection. Then eternal life will be ours! We will never perish, and no one will be able to take us out of the Father’s hand (Jn. 10:29).
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 