April 1, 2019 by frbillnicholas A Prodigal Family – Son, Brother, Father and . . . Homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent – Year CThe Prodigal Son is a famous Parable of the New Testament that can be understood on multiple levels. There is even an unknown family member whom Jesus never mentions in the parable, but can yet be discovered by our proper response to God’s celebration when the Lost are Found. Homily begins at 3:58
March 30, 2019 by frbillnicholas PONDERING HOW WE PRAY – The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Reflection for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Lent In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Jesus presents two ways of praying, as well as two dispositions for prayer. How do we fit into both (not one or the other) of these examples and how can we grow away from the example of the Pharisee, to the humility and God-centered prayer of the Tax Collector?
March 29, 2019 by frbillnicholas TWO SIMPLE RULES Lenten Reflection for Friday of the 3rd Week of Lent
March 28, 2019 by frbillnicholas CS LEWIS and the LOGIC of CHRISTIANITY Reflection for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Lent CS Lewis uses a great deal of Logic to present his arguments in favor of the Christian Faith. Jesus uses Logic against his critics to show how even his critics constitute Good News in Jesus. Fr. Bill discusses how that Logic is used by Christ and why even the accusations of the Pharisees and Scribes against him, demonstrate the ultimate fall of evil because of Jesus.
March 27, 2019 by frbillnicholas THE HIGH STANDARDS OF FAITH Lenten Reflection for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Lent The Law of Moses and the Gospel of Christ are high standards the people are called to live who share those covenants. To what purpose does God impose those standards and what benefit are they to those who are called to them?
March 26, 2019 by frbillnicholas FORGIVENESS – A COMMAND, NOT AN “OFF SWITCH” Reflection for the 3rd Tuesday of Lent
March 25, 2019 by frbillnicholas REACTIONS TO GOD’S WORD Jesus at Nazareth – Our Response to the Word of GodReflection for the 3rd Monday of Lent Jesus begins his ministry with his own people, his neighbors from Nazareth. How did they respond to hearing his word, and what word did he speak to provoke that response? What does this say to our call to be instruments of that Word?
March 25, 2019 by frbillnicholas A GOD WHO PUNISHES Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent – Year CHow does the Old Testament, and how do we, according to the instruction of Christ, come to terms with suffering, struggle and tragedy? How do we reconcile “punishment” with a God who loves us?
March 23, 2019 by frbillnicholas PRODIGAL SONS Reflection for Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which son is the center of the story – the one who left and returned, or the one who stayed and refused to come into the feast?
March 22, 2019 by frbillnicholas VEGETARIANS AND MEATLESS FRIDAYS (Lenten Reflection, #15) Reflection for the 2nd Friday of Lent Catholics are obliged to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Why is this practice important? What about those Catholics who are already vegans or vegetarians?
