Christ at the Center

March 19, 2023 - Overcoming Opposition to our Faith in Christ

Part 4 of the series, "Conqueror: Overcomers with Christ." A man who had been blind since birth received healing from the Lord Jesus Christ. He also received the gift of faith in Christ. His faith grew as people responded with curiosity, criticism, contempt, and cowardice. The newly healed person had been captivated by the love of Christ. With courage and conviction, he overcame opposition to his faith in Christ. The same will happen in our lives.

March 12, 2023 - Overcoming a Painful Past

Part 3 of the series, "Conqueror: Overcomers with Christ." Experiencing a painful past impacts our present and future. With Christ we can overcome it. While it cannot be resolved in one homily, we can make a start now. The Samaritan woman and the Lord Jesus engage in a frank conversation. Jesus is thirsting for her to have faith in Him. The Samaritan woman can no longer ignore her thirst for God. She experiences healing and shares this good news with others. The same can happen in our lives.

March 5, 2023 - Overcoming Fear of Failing

Part 2 of the series, "Conqueror: Overcomers with Christ." Similar to the Apostle Peter, we may fear failing in Christian discipleship.  The Transfiguration of the Lord shows that the way of the cross leads to the glory of the resurrection. What are some cross carrying experiences? We can overcome with the strength that comes from Christ our God (cf. 2 Timothy 1:8). Living in union with Christ, we do not have to fear (cf. Matthew 17:7).

February 26, 2023 - Overcoming Temptation with Christ

Part 1 of the Lenten series, "Conqueror: Overcomers with Christ." A person who is resolved to live with Christ within His Church is empowered to be a conqueror with Christ. Temptation is an invitation to sin. It is not sin. Accepting this invitation means that we have sinned. The Lord Jesus Christ has never sinned. However, Jesus was truly tempted by the devil. Jesus gives us a strategy in which we can overcome temptation cf. Matthew 4:1-11). However, what do we do if we have allowed temptation has overcome us?

February 12, 2023 - Valuing What God Values

Part 5 of the series, "Resolved: Life in Christ and His Church." The divine commandments offer the values that God deems as necessary for human beings to live a fruitful life. Striving to be faithful to them with the help of God, we progress on the journey of life with a sure sense of direction.

February 5, 2023 - The Impact of Christian Discipleship

Part 4 of the series, “Resolved: Life in Christ and His Church.” Christians cannot be afraid to emerge from the crowd to acclaim Jesus as the Lord (cf. Matthew 5:1).. Christian disciples learn from His teaching, which leads to everlasting life. The Lord Jesus prepares His disciples to engage in the crowd of humanity by living according to His teaching (cf. Matthew 5:13-16). Christian disciples, who are secure in our identity in Christ and strive to live with integrity, will make an impact for good, within time and for eternity.

January 29, 2023 - Living with Holy Boldness

Part 3 of the series, "Resolved: Life in Christ and His Church." Great crowds were with the Lord Jesus Christ. As He prepared to teach, His disciples emerged from the crowd and came to Him. They were willing to be identified with Jesus. They acted with holy boldness. How do we act with holy boldness?

January 22, 2023 - A Mind Renewed in Christ

Part 2 of the series, "Resolved: Life in Christ and His Church. When the Lord Jesus Christ begins to preach, he talks about having a renewed mind that allows God to reign in our lives. Jesus is preaching of His Gospel and building His Church. He invites us to believe in His Gospel and to belong to His Church as His disciples. Having a contented mind is the ultimate benefit of being formed by the Word of God.

January 15, 2023 - A New Beginning

Part 1 of the series, "Resolved: Life in Christ and His Church." The beginning of a new year is an opportunity for many to have a fresh start. Resolutions to improve our lives are set. Some give up when their resolve weakens. This cannot be a option for the follower of Christ within His Church. If our resolve weakens, God invites us to begin anew. Baptized into Christ, we trust in His loving and merciful presence dwelling within us. Transformed by His power, we testify about His providential care. 

January 2, 2023 - The Whole Gospel for the Whole World

Part 3 and the conclusion of the series, “The Gospel of Christmas.” The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is another celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. It reaffirms the angel’s message to the shepherds on Christmas night. The whole Gospel for the whole world invites a wholehearted response from us. The whole Gospel is the entirety of the teaching and example of Christ, which comforts, consoles, challenges, and corrects. Everyone in the whole world can receive this Gospel because God gives us the capacity to do so. Offering ourselves in love and trust in God is our wholehearted response.