February 18, 2024 by frbillnicholas TEMPTING THE TEMPTER The Temptations of Jesus in the Desert———Homily – First Sunday of Lent Fr. Bill preaches on the Temptation of Jesus and how engaging fully in the practices, observances, penances and sacrifices during Lent actually invite temptation as part of the Spiritual Exercises of the season.
December 31, 2023 by frbillnicholas FAITH, FAMILY & FREEDOM Homily for HOLY FAMILY SUNDAYLuke 2:22-40 The stability of any Society depends on the stability of the Family. Fr. Bill preaches on how the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus symbolizes God’s entry and sanctification of the basic element of a free and stable society, the basic component of the Church, and ultimately, a basic symbol of God’s gift of Freedom.
December 24, 2023 by frbillnicholas THE RETURN OF DAVID THE KING – JRR Tolkien and the Annunciation “All that is gold does not glitter….”Homily – 4th Sunday of Advent – BLuke 1:26-38 J.R.R. Tolkien’s poem featured in “The Fellowship of the Ring” speaks strongly to the history of Israel, leading up the birth of Jesus and culminating in the Annunciation of Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. Fr. Bill preaches on the history of the Dynasty of King David and what the Angel Gabriel says about it when he announces the impending birth of Jesus.
December 10, 2023 by frbillnicholas PUTTING ADVENT BACK INTO CHRISTMAS Homily – 2nd Sunday of Advent—-Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Christians declare “Put Christ Back Into Christmas”. Fr. Bill preaches on how we can put ADVENT back into Christmas.
November 5, 2023 by frbillnicholas “Call No One Father” – Here we go again! Homily – 31st Sunday of the Year – AMatthew 23:1-12 Father Bill addresses the command of Jesus to “call no one on earth YOUR Father”, as well as the places in the Gospel when Jesus calls out the Pharisees and Sadducees and appears to bemoan the “heavy burdens” associated with the Law of God.
October 22, 2023 by frbillnicholas “SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE” – Rendering Unto Caesar Homily – 29th Sunday of the Year – AMatthew 22:15-21 The United States has a particular approach to the “Separation of Church and State”. Fr. Bill explains how this country understands this doctrine, how it was incorporated into the nation’s Founding, how we get it wrong today, and how it perfectly expresses Jesus’ admonition to “render to Caesar…”
October 1, 2023 by frbillnicholas A CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT PARABLE OF THE 2 SONS & THE 4 CHILDRENHomily – 26th Sunday of the Year – AMatthew 21:28-32 What is the disposition we have regarding living and worshipping as Christians? Fr. Bill preaches on Christ’s Parable of the Two Sons and the Jewish Passover Parable of the Four Children and speaks of how Christians in general and Catholics in Particular can examine and adjust the dispositions from which we all approach our calling to live and worship as followers of Christ.
September 17, 2023 by frbillnicholas THE MANDATE TO FORGIVE It’s Not an Off Switch(Parable of the Unforgiving Servant)Homily24th Sunday of the Year – A—Matthew 18:21-35 The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates Jesus’ command to forgive “seventy-seven ” times. Fr. Bill preaches on the difficulty of this unclassified Mandate from Jesus, what it means, and how we go about the process of Forgiveness.
September 3, 2023 by frbillnicholas WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY? – How to Think as God Does Homily22nd Sunday of the Year – A————–Jeremiah 20:7-9Romans 12:1-2Matthew 16:21-27 Jesus admonishes St. Peter saying, “you are not thinking as God does, but as human beings do”. Fr. Bill preaches on ways we fall into thinking about our faith in God by Human Standards and ways in which we can think more like God, using God’s standards.
August 27, 2023 by frbillnicholas “GO FORTH AND SAY NOTHING TO ANYONE!” Why Did Jesus Tell His Disciples to Remain Silent?Homily – 21st Sunday of the Year – A—–Matthew 16:13-20 On numerous occasions Jesus tells the recipients of his miracles to say nothing to anyone. Fr. Bill discusses possible reasons why in light of Jesus’ subsequent question, “Who do people say that I am?”