Christ at the Center

January 2, 2022 - Rejoicing in Our Worship of God

(Only a glitch in the first minute or so.) Part 4 of the series, “The Gift of God: Presence for Christmas.” Epiphany means, “manifestation” or “revelation.” Once again, the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed to be the Savior of all. We worship the Lord in response to the Lord’s command to remember what He has done and is doing for us. We rejoice in the God of our salvation. Holy Mass is a participation in the one eternal sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified and died, and has risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven for our salvation. To be solemn does not mean to be sullen or gloomy. The magi teach us about having joy in worship. In the Gospel reading, the star that the magi, “had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage” (Matthew 2:9b-11). Rejoicing in our worship of God includes: (1) anticipation to meet the Lord; (2) adoration of the Lord; and (3) action in the name of the Lord.

January 1, 2021 - Glory to the Same God in a New Year

Part 3 of the series, "The Gift of God: Presence for Christmas." A new year has begun for us. The same God is with us. "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). The Blessed Virgin Mary became the Holy Mother of God when the eternal Son of God was conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit.  This happened after she accepted her unique vocation from God. The Blessed Mother had much to reflect upon about what God was doing in her life and for humanity. It is good to reflect on how God is at work in our lives.It renews our confidence as we begin a new year. The same God is with us. We are resolved to be with God.

December 26, 2021 - Receive the Word of God

Part 2 of the Christmas series, "The Gift of God: Presence for Christmas." Asking for the favor of God on our families and on Holy Family Parish, it is important to keep Christ at the center of family life and parish life. After thinking that they had lost Jesus, the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph found Him in the Temple at Jerusalem. The conversation that the Blessed Mother and Our Lord have led her to reflection. Following the example of our parish’s patron saints, we strive to live according to the Word of God. Lectio divina (sacred reading) is a traditional way to receive the Word of God. Father Harris summarizes the process of read, reflect, react, and resolve.

December 25, 2021 - The Gift of God in Unexpected Places

This is part 1 of the Christmas series, "The Gift of God: Presence for Christmas." Faith in God serves as an unfailing light which guides us during our journey of life. This journey will have its twists and turns. We will arrive at unexpected places along the way. At some unexpected places in life, we will be surprised with delight and become filled with happiness. At other unexpected places, we will be struck with distress and become filled with sorrow. Christmas reminds us that God is present during every place of life. We have the confident expectation that God is with us, working things out for our true and lasting good., leading us to the destination of an everlasting place of unending joy

December19, 2021 - A Fulfilled Life

This is part 4 of the Advent series, "Blessed by God: A Full Life." The blessings that God bestows upon us are unmerited favors. The greatest blessing is salvation in Christ. Sharing life and love with God gives us a full life. This series examines some of the benefits of receiving this blessing. “[Elizabeth said to Mary,] ’Blessed are you who believed* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled’” (Luke 1:45). Mary is blessed because she believed that God would fulfill His promises. Before our Lord Jesus Christ was conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit, Mary believed in the identity and mission of Jesus. If we do the same, now that Jesus has conquered sin and death, we will have a fulfilled life. We learn the Word of God through the Sacred Scriptures and living Apostolic Tradition. We apply these lessons to our circumstances. As the narrative of our Lord's nativity shows us, doing the will of God is not easy. However, we have joy that God will always lead us to experience what is for our true and lasting good.

December 12, 2021 - A Joyful Life

This is part 3 of the Advent series, "Blessed by God: A Full Life." The blessings that God bestows upon us are unmerited favors. The greatest blessing is salvation in Christ. Sharing life and love with God gives us a full life. This series examines some of the benefits of receiving this blessing. Joy is different from the emotion of happiness, which is a situational experience. The supernatural experience of joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is a disposition of trusting in the faithfulness of God during every situation. While it there may be emotional manifestations at times, to have joy in the Lord cannot be defined by our emotions. We received the gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation. It takes time for the spiritual fruit of joy to grow as we cooperate with God. Remain in the presence of God. Render prayer to God. Remember the promises of God. Repent by putting godly principles into action..

December 5, 2021 - A Merciful Life

This is part 2 of the Advent series, "Blessed by God: A Full Life." The blessings that God bestows upon us are unmerited favors. The greatest blessing is salvation in Christ. Sharing life and love with God gives us a full life. This series examines some of the benefits of receiving this blessing. A merciful life begins with the initiative of God to call us to repentance, to remove any obstacle that hinders us from advancing on the journey of faith. It means to be reconciled to God. In the Gospel reading (cf. Luke 3:1-6), Saint John the Baptist is a prophet of God who is preparing the people for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The traditional steps of repentance are an examination of conscience, contrition for our sins, a firm purpose of amendment, confession of our sins, and receiving God’s healing mercy. Next Sunday will examine how reconciliation with God leads to being a joyful disciple who wants to be reconciled with others and to engage in works of mercy.

November 29, 2021 - A Hopeful Life

With apologies for periodic audio issues, this is part 1 of the Advent series, "Blessed by God: A Full Life." Advent prepares us for the celebration of Christmas. The theme is based on the Christmas Eve Gospel Reading: "And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests'" (Luke 2:13-14). The blessing of God is the unmerited favor that God bestows upon us. The greatest blessing is salvation in Christ. Advent also reminds us to prepare for the glorious coming of Christ at the end of time. In the Gospel reading (cf. Luke 21:25-28, 34-36), the Lord teaches how to approach this event. We can use the same approach now during difficult situations in life. Hope is not wishful thinking, but a confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises. Hopeful people do not get consumed with panic or complacent with distractions. Hopeful people give themselves over to God in praise, knowing that our God has come to save us.

October 31, 2021: Christ‘s Presence in His Congregation

The Lord Jesus Christ teaches about the importance of being in a right relationships with God and with one another. A scholar of the law asked Jesus about He considered to be the greatest commandment. What is the purpose for living according to them? The Lord replied that we must love God wholeheartedly, which is the context for loving ourselves and others appropriately. During the Archdiocese of Baltimore Year of the Eucharist observance, we are considering the four ways in which Christ is present during Holy Mass. On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, our focus was on the presence of Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist. On this Lord’s Day, our focus is the presence of Christ in the gathering of His people to worship the Lord during Holy Mass. Then we bear witness to the Lord afterwards.

October 17, 2021 - The Ambitious Christian

Once again, the Apostles do not understand about aspiring to greatness from a Christ=like perspective. Once again, the Lord Jesus Christ teaches the lesson. Our primary ambition as Christians is to follow where the Lord leads. Whether we are given the responsibility of leadership or not, we have influence in our network of relationships. We can lead people towards God or away from God; whether as a fellow parishioner, a fellow student, a co-worker, a spouse, a child, a neighbor, etc. The ambition of the Christian may not get our names published in a history book. However, following in the way that the Lord Jesus leads will get our names writen in the Book of Life.