Christ at the Center

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.

Jan 3, 2021 - The Light of Christ: Our Path fto Worship God

The third homily of Father Harris’ Christmas season series, “The Light of Christ: Our Path for Life." This year has 365 days and 8,760 hours. Considering how much time is expended during Sunday Holy Mass, that is about 54 hours this year. Certainly, we want to glorify God past 54 hours! The light of Christ is our sure path of life, including how we worship God. Our consecration to the Lord influences how we  engage in the celebration of the liturgy and the conduct of our lives.

Dec 27, 2020 - The Light of Christ for Family Life

The Catholic Church teaches that the Christian family is,  “the domestic church,” which lives in communion with the universal Church. Holy Mary and Saint Joseph had similar and different challenges because of the unique graces that they had received from God. They still provide a “shining example” for us. During the comforts and challenges of family life, the light of Christ provides families with sufficient graces to be faithful to God and to each other.

Dec 25, 2020 - The Light of Christ: Our Path for Life

There are periodic problems with the recording. The first homily of Father Harris’ Christmas season series, “The Light of Christ: Our Path for Life.” The Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself to share in our humanity without sin so that we can have a share in divine life. The light of Christ is our sure path on our journey of life. Walking in His ways helps us to navigate through the twists and turns that may occur. The light of Christ scatters the darkness of gloom which obscures seeing our lives from a godly perspective. The light of Christ sets our direction by living according to His Gospel. The light of Christ enables us to remain steadfast in our devotion.

 

 

Dec 20, 2020 - Hopeful People Keep Their Commitment

The fourth and last homily of Father Harris’ Advent series, “Hope in Christ: Our Strength for Living.” “In the Gospel reading, “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word’” (Luke 1:38). Responding to the revelation of her unique vocation from God, the Blessed Virgin Mary offered a resolute commitment. This is the testimony of the first human being who placed her hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. The promise of God to save humanity has been fulfilled now. We are beneficiares of it when we receive this gift in a lifelong process of cooperating with God. We practice the virtue of hope by keeping our commitment to Christ and His Church through the twists and turns of the journey of life.

Dec 13, 2020 - Hopeful People Live With Conviction

The third homily of Father Harris’ Advent series, “Hope in Christ: Our Strength for Living.” Hopeful people have a confident expectation in God, whose promises to humanity will be fulfilled. Living according to the teaching of Christ and His Church is fruitful. Hopeful people undergo conversion to God, cooperating with Him to remove anything that hinders them from loving God wholeheartedly, and ourselves and others appropriately. Both characteristics will cause hopeful people to stand out. Illuminated by Holy Baptism, we testify to the Light like Saint John the Baptist (c.f., John 1:7-8). People will either become intrigued or intimidated by our testimony, but their response should not change our identity in God and our mission from God. Hopeful people live with conviction.

Dec 6, 2020 - Hopeful People Undergo Conversion

This is the second homily of Father Harris’ series, “Hope in Christ: Our Strength for Living.” The prophetic ministries of Isaiah and Saint John the Baptist proclaimed the comforting message that God’s liberating power was at hand. They also challenged people to remove anything that would hinder them from receiving it. As we observe Advent, the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ has happened. We do not have to prepare for the saving power of God to come. Cooperating with the sacramental grace of Holy Baptism, the Lord challenges us to participate in it now by dying to sin and living to the glorify God in our thoughts, words, and actions. or God. Hopeful people undergo conversion

Nov, 29, 2020 - Hopeful People are Confident People

This is the first homily of Father Harris’ Advent series, “Hope in Christ: Our Strength for Living.” We received the gift of hope from God through Holy Baptism. Hope is an abiding trust that God will fulfill His promises to humanity. This includes the timing and the way in which God will do it. Uncertainty about how situations will be resolved or about the end times cannot undermine our confidence in Christ. We remember what He has done for us. We remember that His return in glory is an expression of His love and mercy.