Christ at the Center

February 5, 2022 - Fundamentals of Christian Discipleship

The call to follow Christ within the fellowship of His Church is the context is which Christ forms us to be His disciples. We cannot say that we are inadequate to fulfill this calling when God provides us with the same grace as He did for Isaiah, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, along with men and women across the centuries. The call to follow Christ is His initiative. He invites us to trust that as we cooperate with His grace, it will not ineffective (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:10a). Following Christ cannot be separated from living in fellowship with His Church. Those who claim that they can do that are not fully following Christ. It is important to remember the fundamentals of being a disciple of Christ. Following Christ within the fellowship of His Church is the context in which Christ is forming His disciples. 

January 23, 2022 - Reverence for the Word of God

Since 2020, the universal Church has observed the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time as the "Sunday of the Word of God." Pope Francis instituted this celebration to emphasize the importance of Sacred Scripture in the life of the Church, helping to make disciples and mature disciples of Christ. This universal observance is being held during the Archdiocese of Baltimore's Year of the Eucharist. The theme, "Encounter Christ's Presence," looks at the four ways in which our Lord Jesus Christ is present during Holy Mass. One of these ways is the Word of God. We show reverence by listening to the Word of God intently, learning its meaning intimately, and striving to live according to it with integrity. [Father Harris regrets the error of stating that Assyria liberated the Jews from the Babylonian exile. It was the Persians and Medes led by Cyrus.]

January 16, 2022 - Persevering in Prayer

Prayer must be a priority as a disciple of Christ within His Church. Good communication contributes to the building of good relationships. At a wedding feast in Cana, the dialogue between the Blessed Mother and Our Lord teaches us about prayer. Trusting in God is first action. This means to have confidence in God and never putting God to the test. Following the teaching of Christ is the next action. Mary told the servers to do whatever Jesus told them to do. Transformation by God is the action that happens as we pray and act. God will respond in a way that is better than we have expected These intentional actions by God and ourselves are expressions of a relationship, not a mere formula. The bond of life and love with our God is our motivation to persevere in prayer. The gift of faith enables us to approach a situation from God’s point of view before we can see it. When God enables us to see it, we must never forget it, and thank God for it.

January 9, 2022 - Resvolved to be a Witness for God

This is the fifth and final part of the series, "The Gift of God: Presence for Christmas." During the Christmas season, Jesus is revealed to be the Christ, who is the Savior and the Lord, in several event: To the Blessed Virgin Mary, during the Annunciation; to Joseph, during a dream; to Elizabeth and her baby John the Baptist, during the Visitation; to the shepherds, during the Nativity; to the magi, during the Epiphany; and to the assembly near the Jordan River, during the Baptism of the Lord. While the baptism of Christ is not the same as our baptism into Christ, there are similarities. They help us to renew our resolutions as beloved children of God. We will continue living in solidarity with Christ, experiencing salvation in Christ, and being servants of Christ. If we fail in these resolutions, then we repent and renew our resolve with the help of God. God has never given up on us. This is part of the good news of Christmas.

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..