In Your Presence Eric Nicolai

A recollection for priests at Saint Aidan's parish in Toronto, preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on July 16, 2024. Based on the parable of the pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14). Two men in a temple, praying, doing a good thing, but with different results. A security camera might have made them appear as two men praying with their own style, or culture. But Jesus sees below the surface, and wants us to recognize ourselves in these men. Only one went home justified.

Music: Original track by Michael Lee from Toronto.

Thumbnail: Gustave Doré engraving from the illustrated Bible, published in 1866.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on July 16, 2024 at Ernescliff College in Toronto.

Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite, on July 16, 1251, and promised a special protection to those who would wear the habit, later the scapulary. All you had to do was wear this garment. Like a protective clothing, and stay faithful. This promise of our Lady boosted the Carmelites street cred. Our Lady became associated with one protecting. They’d emphasize Marian protection, her intercession, the importance of living a life of prayer and service.

Music: Original track by Micheal Lee of Toronto.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Chipnee camp for girls in the Durham region north of Toronto on July 11, 2024, the Feast of St. Benedict of Nursia.

Music: Original track by Michael Lee of Toronto.

A meditation preached on July 8, 2024 by Fr. Eric Nicolai at a camp for girls in the Collingwood area, Ontario.

Matthew 9, 18-26: While Jesus was speaking, up came one of the officials, who bowed low in front of him and said, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.’ Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. Then from behind him came a woman, who had suffered from a haemorrhage for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, ‘If I can only touch his cloak I shall be well again.’ Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, ‘Courage, my daughter, your faith has restored you to health.’ And from that moment the woman was well again.

Michael

A meditation preached on July 1, 2024, Canada Day, at Tour des Pins Centre in Montreal. The Gospel of the day is from Matthew 8: “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” This is after the centurions faith, several amazing cures, people possessed by demons, healed of terrible illnesses.

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.

What is Jesus asking us about our availability and our project of life?

Thumbnail: Domenico Ghirlandaio, Last Supper from 1480, in Florence.

Music: Original music from Michael Lee of Toronto.

This meditation was preached in Ernescliff College by Fr. Eric Nicolai on the feast of Saint John the Baptist, June 24, 2024. He was a voice crying in the desert, the prophecy of Isaiah 40, 3: Vox clamantis in deserto: Parate viam Domini, rectas facite in solitudine semitas Dei nostri.

A voice of one calling in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Byzantine icons show him with a thinner cross, symbolizing his role as the Forerunner of Christ, a parchment, with a set of wings, to show he was like an angel of God, sending a message, the angel of the desert: The wings symbolize his ability to communicate between the divine and humans, similar to angels. These icons also show him with his own head on the ground, testifying to his future martyrdom by King Herod Antipas.

We too have to be precursors. Guide others in their freedom.

Thumbnail: Iconostasis Cephalonia; John the Baptist from 9th century, Vatican museum. For more images see https://www.christianiconography.info/johnBaptist.html

Original music by Michael Lee of Toronto.