Christ at the Center

August 21, 2022 - What Really Counts in Life

“Someone asked [Jesus], ‘Lord, will only a few people be saved’” (Luke 13:23)? This question could have been posed out of curiosity, but it was probably out of concern. As the Lord Jesus leads His first disciples on the journey to Jerusalem, He has given several challenging teachings about discipleship. In His response to the question, the Lord Jesus does not give an exact number. However, He teaches about what really counts in life, in view of time and eternity.

July 24, 2022 - Devoted to Praying to a Faithful God

The desire to pray is natural and supernatural. We were created to share life and love with God. The desire to pray disposes us to learn from the Lord Jesus about the dynamics of prayer. This leads us to be devoted to praying. Encouraging others to be devoted to prayer, Father Harris gives two personal examples.

June 26, 2022 = ”Overcoming Obstacles to Resolute Discipleship”

The mission of the National Eucharistic Revival is, “To renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist” (www.eucharisticrevival.org/mission-vision-and-timeline). The Lord Jesus offers Himself wholeheartedly for our salvation and asks for a wholehearted response from us. Some may be tempted to discount their ability to do that. We should not declare impossible what Christ makes possible when we make following His teaching and example our purpose for living. In the Gospel reading, the Lord Jesus warns us about obstacles in becoming a resolute disciple (cf. Luke 9:51-62).

June 12, 2022 - God Wants to be Known and Loved

God reveals His identity and invites us to live in a relationship with Him. God wants to be known and loved (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church #1). This is a remarkable statement. God is God and does not have any needs. It is for our sake. God invites us to share in His life and love. We learn about the identity of God and our identity in relationship to God. We are eternally significant to God. We are being saved by God. We have been made sacred by God.

June 5, 2022 - Patterns of a Spirit-Filled Parish

This is the conclusion of the series, "Going in Faith: Our Mission from Christ." Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church engages in the mission that Christ has entrusted to her. When discussing about the patterns of a Spirit-filled parish, reference is not being made to Christian denominations which began in the 20th century. We are looking at the patterns which began in 33 AD. These patterns are to gather in faith, go in faith, and grow in faith.

May 22, 2022 - The Peace of the Lord Be With You Always

Part 5 of the series, "Going in Faith: Our Mission from Christ." "[Jesus said to the Apostles,] 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27). The prayer that precedes the exchange of the Sign of Peace is based on this verse. We encourage each other to believe that God's loving commitment to us is consistent and will never change. We remain confident in this certainty amid life's countless uncertainties.

May 15, 2022 - Christ-centered Fellowship

Part 4 of the series, “Going in Faith: Our Mission from Christ.” Fellowship or community building is part of our parish's mission. People enjoy one another’s company. We express our care, concern, and compassion for one another. What is the context for these community building actions? The parish is primarily a sanctification center, not a social club. The Lord Jesus calls us to follow Him within the fellowship of His Church. The Church is the context in which we are formed to be Christ-like. Socializing can be a means for sanctification if Christ is at the center of it. In the Gospel reading, the Lord Jesus teaches, “‘As I have loved you, so you also should love one another’ (John 13:34).

May 8, 2022 - God Guides and Guards Us

Part 3 of the series, “Going in Faith: Our Mission from Christ.” After offering his traditional Mother’s Day greetings, Father Harris focused on the Gospel reading in which the Lord Jesus Christ teaches, “‘“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.’” (John 10:27). There are other times in the Gospels in which this is emphasized (e.g., The Transfiguration of the Lord in Luke 9:35). Hearing the voice of God does not have to be mysterious. Being familiar with reading the Gospels is a fundamental part of being a disciple of Christ in His Church. Therefore, our new Parish Pastoral Plan goals include strengthening the Sunday School of Religion and faith formation programing for all generations. The Word of God guides us on the journey of faith, leading us to enjoy a fruitful life that death cannot destroy. The Word of God guards us from dangers seen and unseen. [Note: Father Harris talks about the Baptism of the Lord as another time in which God says to lisen to Jesus. That is by implication.]

May 1, 2022 - Our Motivation to Fulfill our Mission

Part 2 of the series, “Going in Faith: Our Mission from Christ.” God's self-giving and sacrificial love for us saves and sanctifies us. Wholehearted love for God enables us to love ourselves and others appropriately. This is our motivation to fulfill our mission from Christ. Continuing to undergo personal conversion does not disqualify us from contributing to this mission. This is what we learn from the conversation between the Lord Jesus and Peter the Apostle.

April 24, 2022 - First Things First

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21). This is part 1 of the series, "Going in Faith: Our Mission from Christ." The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came to share in our humanity with a divine mission to reconcile humanity with God. He empowers His Church to share in His mission. Jesus founded the Church to be a sanctification center, not a social club. The parish is a place in which those who are wounded by sin, division, and the disappointments of life can experience healing from the Risen Lord. The parish is the place for people to wrestle through their doubts, grow in their devotion to the Lord, and become bold in the practice of our faith. As we engage in our parish mission and embark on our Pastoral Plan, we must keep first things first.