Christ at the Center

September 1, 2024 - Authentically Spiritual and Religious

When a person states that he or she is, “spiritual, but not religious,” her or she is discounting the importance of belonging to a religious institution. Among the charges against religious institutions are hypocrisy and human made laws. While these matters must be addressed, a Christian is defined as a follower of Christ within the fellowship of His Church.

August 25, 2024: "Walking After Jesus Even If Others Walk Away"

[Gospel Reading: John 6:60-69] Many disciples thought that the Lord Jesus’ teaching about offering Himself in the Most Holy Eucharist was hard to accept. As a result, they walked away from Jesus and the incipient Church that Jesus was building. The Apostle Peter shows us how to continue to walk after Jesus. Even if our resolve weakens, we can accept the Lord’s invitation to resume walking after Him So can those who have initially walked away.

August 18, 2024 - Receiving Divine Life Transforms Daily Life

Jesus said to the crowds, "'Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him'" (John 6:56). Many in the crowd did not believe in what Jesus had taught. As we strive to follow Christ within His Church with the help of His grace, we need to deepen our understanding about what we believe and why. Being nourished by divine life must be reflected in our daily life.

August 11, 2024: Offer to God the Sacrifice of Praise

(Audio may be low. You may need to turn up the volume on your device.) The Lord Jesus said, “‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world’” (John 6:51). Holy Mass is a participation in the one and eternal sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is risen from the dead. How do we unite ourselves with Christ during Holy Mass and afterward? This is the connection of the celebration of the sacred liturgy with the conduct of our sacred lives.

July 14, 2024 - Being An Apostolic Catholic Christian

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two…” (Mark 5:7). We profess belief in “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” (Nicene Creed). These are the essential characteristics of the Church and her mission (Catechism of the Catholic Church #811). The Gospel Reading teaches us about the meaning of being apostolic in two senses. The characteristics of being an apostolic Catholic Church are: (1) summoned by Christ; (2) send forth by Christ; and (3) sanctified by Christ to sanctified others.

June 30, 2024 - Having Steadfast Faith in Christ

“[Jesus] said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction’” (Mark 5:34). Two persons needed healing from the Lord. A twelve year-old girl and a woman who had suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years. This homily focuses on the actions of the woman. She perseveres in her faith by practicing it and professing it.

June 23, 2024 - Serenity in Christ during Storms in Life

Being a follower of Christ within His Church does not exempt us from tumultuous situations in our lives. What does the Lord Jesus teach about having serenity during storms in life?

June 16, 2024 - Trust in God's Timing

Patience is necessary to do the will of God and to receive what God has promised (cf. Hebrews 10:35). In the Gospel Reading, the Lord Jesus teaches us to trust in God’s timing for His Kingdom to grow (cf. Mark 4:26-34). As the first disciples cooperated with God, God did more than they could imagine. Patient practices include: (1) Remember God’s faithfulness. (2) Respond with fidelity towards God. (3) Repent of infidelity against God. (4) Resolve to grow in fortitude.

June 9, 2024 - Do Not Doubt or Deny God's Saving Love

In the Gospel Reading, the Lord Jesus warns, "'But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness'" (Mark 3:29). What are sins against the Holy Spirit? Father Harris’ homily answers that question and responds to possible concerns among us.

June 2, 2024 - A Living Testament of Christ's Love for Us

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ gives of Himself totally in love for our salvation. We cannot allow familiar rituals to lull us into complacency. These rituals convey a relationship with our wonderful, faithful God. We must resist the temptation to not magnify the Lord but to mark time, wondering how long Holy Mass will last. The Most Holy Eucharist is a living testament that the love of Christ liberates us for life.