Fr. Geary’s Letter, 7-31-22

Dear Parishioners of St. James:

Praised be Jesus Christ!

In the Epistle today, St. Paul directs us to seek what is above, not what is on the earth (Col. 3:1-2). Our life is hidden with Christ in God since our Baptism. We have been redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ. Our direction, our orientation, should be toward heaven and the delights that God wants to lavish on His children for all eternity.

What gets our attention? The news, sports, Facebook, money, our health, family problems, and more consume our time and energy. But they all will pass away. God and our souls endure. Where will your soul be for all eternity? In today’s Gospel, Jesus called the rich man a fool for storing up treasure for himself so that he could have an easy life here below.

St. Paul goes on to exhort us to put on the new self, which is in the image of our creator, and to put to death the parts of us that are earthly: greed, impurity, lies, immorality, and evil desires (Col. 3:9-10). Our lives are passing away very quickly in this life. Are we storing up treasure in heaven which is the only kind that can save us from hell and give us eternal life?

God bless you,
Fr. Geary