Christ at the Center

April 4, 2021 - The Risen Lord Raises Our Expectations

When the “Holy Myrhhbearers” came to the tomb on the third day after His death, they expected Him to be dead. Other disciples had the same expectation, even though the Lord had taught otherwise. Easter is a reminder to allow the Risen Lord to raise our expectations about what He can accomplish in our lives with our cooperation.

March 24, 2021: Rejoice in Receiving the Remedy of God

Nicodemus believed that the signs that Jesus had performed showed that Jesus had come from  God (cf. John 3:2). In the incarnation of Jesus, the only Son of God, God provides the remedy for our wounds of sin and death. The great sign that He will show is the offering of Himself being "lifted up" in His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension (cf. John 3:14-16). After Nicodemus sees Jesus lifted up in His crucifixion, he responds in love, living according to the truth (cf. John 19:38-42; John 3:21a)). Nicodemus put his faith to work. It was "clearly seen as done in God" (John 3:21b).

March 7, 2021 - God's Righteousness is a Gift for Us

Part 3 of Father Harris' Lenten homily series, “Beloved of God: A Redemptive Relationship”.Considering the remarkable gift of God's love for each one of us is a blessing. Even when God is correcting us. The righteousness of God is: (1) His initiative to rescue us from sin and death; (2) restoring us to our true identity; and (3) helping us to live with integrity. These are the actions of our God whose love for us is everlasting. Therefore, we will receive His commandments with love. Living acording to His Word leads to everlasting life with God.

 

Feb 28, 2021 - God is Resolved to Offer Salvation

Part 2 of Father Harris’ Lenten homily series, “Beloved of God: A Redemptive Relationship.”   To allow God to reign over us, we need a repentant mind, desiring what God desires for us. We need a regulated mind, guided by the Gospel of Christ as interpreted by His Church. As God enables us to do that, we will have a renewed mind. We also need a resolute mind. God refused to abandon us to sin and death because God loves us. God is resolved to offer salivation to us. We receive this gift through our resolution to allow God to save us, to set us free by the cross and resurrection of Christ. This is the lesson that the Apostle Petter must learn.

Feb 21, 2021 - Let God Reign

Part 1 of Father Harris’ Lenten homily series, “Beloved of God: A Redemptive Relationship.”  Trust is at the heart of every loving relationship. Sin and death wounded the human condition when distrusting God led to disobeying God. The enemy of our souls continues to tempt us to distrust God. In the Gospel reading, the Lord Jesus invites us to have the right mindset to let God reign over our lives. Beloved children of God have minds that are: (1) repentant, (2) regulated by God's directions for fruitful living, and (3) renewed by God’s grace. These are not lofty goals that cannot be attained. We must not declare impossible what God makes possible through the gift of His life and love dwelling within us. Trusting in God with patience are expressions of loving God.

Feb 7, 2021: Believing in the Lord's Power to Heal

We commend ourselves and others to the Lord when we are sick. We believe in the Lord’s power to heal. The Gospel accounts of the healing miracles of the Lord inspire us not to place any limitations on God. This includes the way God chooses to heal. The experience of physical healing as an answer to prayer strengthens our faith. However, our faith can also be strengthened when we are not physically healed.

Jan 31, 2021 - Overcoming Evil with Christ our Lord

The Lord Jesus Christ is continuing to proclaim the Gospel of God and to build the Church of God. He invites people to live in fellowship with Him, following His teaching and example. The Lord intends for His Gospel to be applied to the concrete circumstances of life. In the Gospel reading, it is happened during a Sabbath Service at the Capernaum synagogue. The Lord teaches His disciples about the power of His Word to confront the oppression of evil and to overcome it.

Jan 24, 2021 - Proclaiming the Gospel of God

The Gospel of God is the One who proclaims it and the content of His message. The message is comforting and challenging. The Lord Jesus Christ proclaims the Gospel of God and is building the Church of God by making disciples. Disciples are formed by the teaching and example of Jesus. They strive to accept the entirety of the Gospel. Our response to the Gospel of God is lived out in concrete ways. This is the context in which Jesus is making disciples who make disciples.

Jan 17, 2021 - Getting Back to the Basics

Getting back to the basics of Christian discipleship means to: (1) stay with Jesus; (2 ) see what Jesus does; and (3) serve in union with Jesus.  We are representatives of the Lord in this world, inviting others to join us in being reconciled to God.  We will continue to help our communities to recognize, respect, and protect, the inherent dignity of human life, body and soul.

Jan 10, 2021 - The Light of Christ: Our Path to Justice

The fourth and final homily of Father Harris’ Christmas season series, “The Light of Christ: Our Path for Life.” The baptism of the Lord shows us how Jesus will “bring forth justice to the nations” (cf. Isaiah 42:1d). As members of His Church, we follow the path that His light marks out for us on earth, which will lead us to our heavenly destination. What is justice? What is social justice? During our national crisis after an insurrection at the United States Capitol, the light of Christ must shine brighter through our witness.