Christ at the Center

September 17, 2023 - Freed from the Burden of Unforgiveness

Peter thought that seven was the perfect number when he asked the Lord Jesus how many times one must forgive a person. Jesus teaches that loving actions cannot be calculated. Unforgiveness is a burden that we cannot take into heaven. We do not want to live with it on earth. The ability to forgive others begins with appreciating how much God has forgiven us. That teaches us how to forgive others.

September 10, 2023 - Confronting Conflict as Christians

The Lord Jesus knew that there would be conflicts in His Church because of imperfect human beings. No one in their right mind relishes conflict. However, refusing to deal with a problem will not solve it. It will make it worse. The Lord teaches how to confront conflict as a Christian. While the context is conflict within the Christian community, Father Harris suggests some analogies which may help us in other contexts.

August 27, 2023 - What is Essential for the Christian Life?

Some Christians think that we can be followers of Christ and forsake His Church. In the Gospel reading, the Lord Jesus offers essential lessons about His identity and our identity in relationship to Him (cf. Matthew 16:13-20). The Church is the context in which Christ forms His disciples to enjoy a fruitful life within time and for eternity. Believing in Christ and belonging to His Church are essential for the Christian life.

August 20, 2023 - Anointed by God to Overcome Racism

The Lord Jesus established catholicity as one of the essential characteristics of His Church (cf. CCC 830 & 831). He was not afraid to speak about race and ethnicity. He is the Savior of humanity. Jesus teaches His disciples that there was another demon to cast out in addition to what was afflicting a Canaanite's daughter. Christians must not allow worldly viewpoints to corrupt the practice of our faith. We are anointed by God to make disciples of all nations (cf. Matthew 28:19). To heal the wounds of sin, which includes racism. This has nothing to do with what some deride as "being woke." It has everything to do with being awake to what the Gospel of Christ teaches and to live accordingly.

July 18, 2023 - The Blessing of a Fruitful Christian Life

Jesus said to His disciples, “‘“But blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear’” (Matthew 13:16). The Lord Jesus teaches how we can enjoy a fruitful Christian life. Setbacks must not discourage us. We need to be reflective in order to take up opportunities to grow and remove any obstacles with God’s help.

July 9, 2023 - How Christ Provides Serenity in Life

Having faith in God provides many blessings in life, but it does not prevent burdens from happening in life. Faith in God gives us a perspective that will prevent these burdens from shaking our confidence in God. In the Gospel reading, the Lord Jesus shows us how to experience serenity amid the delights and difficulties of life. 

July 2, 2023 - Fully Committed to the Cross with Christ

Father Harris focuses on two verses of the Gospel reading for this homily (cf. Matthew 10:37-38), particularly when the Lord Jesus teaches, “… ‘and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me’” (Matthew 10:38). Taking up the cross involves offering a total commitment of love to Christ, who offers Himself totally in love to us. By ourselves, we cannot do that; but with God, we can. We are observing, “The Year of Parish Revival” as part of the multi-year National Eucharistic Revival. It is important to understand how the Lord uses the rhythm of Holy Mass to encourage us to persevere in taking up our crosses and prevailing with Him.

June 25, 2023 - Fearlessly Living An Authentic Christian Life

Being authentic is key to having a secure identity and trusting relationships. That applies to our identity in God and our relationship with God too. Some are tempted to become inauthentic due to fears that others will not like or love them otherwise. In the Gospel reading, the Lord Jesus tells us not to give into this temptation. Living an authentic Christian life is rewarding within time and for eternity (cf. Matthew 10:25-33). 

Summoned and Sent by Christ to Serve

During Holy Mass on The Lord's Day, we profess, "I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church." These are essential characteristics of the Church that the Lord Jesus has founded. The Gospel reading invites us to consider the meaning of being apostolic (cf. Matthew 9:36-10:8). We are summoned and sent by Christ to serve the needs of humanity. Christ-centered lives demonstrate what a Christian looks like. It happens by cooperating with the One who has called us. Christ uses our testimony to invite others to follow Him in His Church.

June 10, 2023 - Disciples Formed by Doctrine and Devotion

The Lord Jesus offers His Most Holy Body and Blood in the Eucharist. We can have an intellectual assent to the doctrine, but not allow it to lead to an intimate relationship with the Lord. This will lead to a disconnect between what we are believing and how we are behaving. The National Eucharistic Revival is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the doctrine, our devotion to our Lord, and our determination to engage in the mission of His Church.