Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Salvation from hell and eternal damnation comes from the mercy of Jesus Christ. He is the only Savior of the world. After St. Peter received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost he exclaimed, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts. 4:12). Even when we were dead in our sins we were brought to life by Christ (Eph. 2:4).
We access the salvation of Jesus by grace acting through faith in Him. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast” (Eph. 2:9). Following the Old Testament precepts cannot bring anyone salvation – only the grace of Jesus Christ available in the Sacraments. Each Sacrament is an encounter with Jesus Christ, an offer of salvation to our souls (Baptism, Penance, Confirmation, the Most Holy Eucharist, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick). Believing in Jesus brings us eternal life and saves us from condemnation (Jn. 3:18).
If we believe that Jesus gives eternal life by His grace, then why do we stay away from that saving grace truly present in the Sacraments? “Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God” (Jn. 3:21). Come to the light, Jesus Christ, truly present in the Sacraments to receive His salvation. There is no salvation in anyone or anything else. Believe in Jesus so that you might not perish but might have eternal life (cf. Jn. 3:16).
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 