Christ at the Center

The Acts of an Apostolic Church

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles provides lessons for the Church. One of the charateristics or marks of the Church is to be apostolic. To be apostolic is to be “sent forth” by Christ as members of His Church to the world. In one sense, it means the ministry of the Apostles and their successors, the Bishops. In another sense, all baptized Christians are called to engage in the mission of the Church according to their distinctive vocations.  The actions of an apostolic Church are to profess and practice the Faith. To be perfected by the Faith and to persevere in the Faith. 

June 22, 2025: Grateful for our Generous God

On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood, Holy Family Catholic Church (Randallstown, Maryland) is thanking God for 149 years. The offering of Holy Mass is the t important action of a parish. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that what Christ instituted and entrusted to His Church is the “source and summit” of the Christian life. We remember the gift of God and the generous offering of God for our salvation. We respond with gratitude by glorifying God with our lives.

June 15, 2025: To Be Known and Loved

After extending Father’s Day greetings, Father Harris spoke about the significance of this Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. God wants to be known and loved. God already knows and loves us. Render an invocation to God. Remember the intention of God for revealed His presence to us. Rejoice in our inheritance from God.

April 20. 2025 - Christ Restores Us to Integrity of Life

Part 1 of the series, "Integrity: Experience Freedom in Christ." Catholics renew our baptismal promises on Easter Sunday. We desire to live authentic lives in union with God. God is the source of our lives, sustains us throughout our lives, and is saving us from sin and death. Integrity means to integrate what we believe - in response to what God has revealed - into our behavior. What are the steps that we take to grow with integrity as disciples of Christ in His Church?

April 6, 2025 - God Raises Us to New Life

The conclusion of the series, "Credo: Living by Faith." Some scribes and Pharisees wanted to entrap Jesus. They used a woman caught in adultery for their scheme. They lacked integrity although they appeared to be pious. The woman and man in the adulterous relationship lacked integrity. All of them were entrapped. Salvation in Chrst restores our integrity and raises us to new life.

March 30, 2025: God Gathers People Into His Church

Part 4 of the series, "Credo: Living by Faith." Christ continues to preach His Gospel and to build His Church. Our experience with God's love and mercy invites us to be a sign of God's love and mercy toward others. God is gathering people into His Church. We rejoice with God to welcome them into the household of faith.

March 16, 2025: Living by Faith in our Redeemer

Part 2 of the preaching series, "Credo: Living by Faith." The Lord Jesus Christ is resolved to redeem us from sin and death, and its effects within time and for eternity. Living by faith in God our Redeemer means to be resolved to cooperate with God to be redeemed. During the Transfiguration of the Lord, Peter was living with fear instead of living by faith. God reassures us to let Jesus lead us and courageously follow In His way.

March 9, 2025: Living by Faith in our Creator

God is sovereign and the source of our lives. Created in God's image, human beings ae the crown of God's creation. We must appreciate that God has given us an inherent dignity. However, our sin against God has damaged our dignity. God provides a solution that provides a healing remedy. The Lord Jesus Christ comes to share in our humanity so that we can have a share in divine life. We avoid the invitation to sin by acknowledging our identity in God. 

March 2, 2025: "All in" for Lent

Lent will begin this week. This English word is based upon a word which means, “springtime.” It is a time for growth. The purpose of self-denial is to cooperate with the love and mercy of God to discipline oneself. What obstacles are preventing us from following the Lord Jesus wholeheartedly? In the Gospel Reading, Jesus speaks about three areas in which to answer this question: influence, intention, and integrity.

February 28, 2025: Freed by Forgiveness

"Jesus said to His disciples, '... Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36). We want our lives to be transformed for the good by the Lord Jesus Christ, but this is a challenging teaching. Christ means what he says. He also means to help us to fulfill what He has commanded us to do. Consider the reality of God's mercy. Receive God's mercy. This enables us to reflect God's mercy toward others.