Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
None of us wants to be that person who misses the whole point of life: salvation or damnation. We go along thinking that everything is fine and come to find out that we failed to notice an obvious person in need right in front of us. God is just and judges justly. Whatsoever we do not do for the least of our brothers we do not do to Christ (cf. Mt. 25:45). God will not surprise us with damnation. When He points out to us our failure to help someone in need, we will remain conspicuously silent and receptive.
The condemned rich man in the Gospel shakes us to our core. Whom am I failing to notice? Where am I rich while others are hungry? Has my conscience become numb to the poor at my doorstep? These searching questions are appropriate for our personal prayer.
Our Lord promises, “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt. 7:7). Turn to the Lord and ask for eyes to notice the poor man at your doorstep. The Lord will show you who you are called to help. We cannot change our eternal destiny after death. Now is the time to seek and find those whose life is difficult in order to bring them relief.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 