Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Today is Gaudete Sunday (Latin for, “rejoice”). We celebrate God’s promise of healing and new life, even in the midst of waiting for His second coming. Jesus lists the good things that will come with His kingdom: “The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them” (Mt. 11:4-5). The kingdom of God on earth comes in Jesus Christ.
Jesus asked inquirers in His time (and through them us, too) a rhetorical question about what they expected from the Messiah as the people went out to see John the Baptist. John was praised by Jesus as the greatest born of women. John the Baptist witnessed that in order to have healing, one needs faith; in order for one to be raised, he must die with Christ; in order to be approved by God, one must be poor in spirit and repentant. Are we surprised that God’s standards are embodied in John the Baptist?
God’s ways are not man’s ways. God will restore, heal, confirm, and raise those who believe in Him and keep His commandments. His kingdom will come to its fulfillment in heaven. Until then, we hope in His promise with expectant hearts.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 