Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
This week the Church celebrates All Saints Day and All Souls Day. These feast days remind us that life on earth is temporary. Death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell are four realities that should inform our daily choices conscious of what awaits us. We will all die and be judged by Jesus Christ. Some unavoidable questions include: What will be His judgment? Where will we go after death? Are we prepared for what is coming?
The soul in the state of grace (i.e., free of mortal sin) at the moment of death will be saved from Hell and enter Heaven either immediately or after necessary purification in Purgatory. The soul in the state of mortal sin will go immediately to Hell and suffer eternal punishment. The Saints in Heaven enjoy the vision of God and cannot lose salvation. Souls in Purgatory will eventually enter Heaven but only after being purged of the temporal punishments due to their sins on earth.
We need to think daily about the eternal consequences of our actions while on earth. God thinks so much of us and of our freedom that He will honor our choices for or against Him. Where would your soul go if you were to die today? What needs to change in your life right now so as to change your eternal dwelling place? Life on earth is short; eternity is forever. What we do now determines where we will be sent after death.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 