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?”
August 20, 2023 by frbillnicholas WAS JESUS RACIST? – God’s “Exclusion” Policy St. Paul and Jesus’ Encounter with the Canaanite WomanHomily – 20th Sunday of the Year – A—–Romans 11:13-15, 29-32Matthew 15:21-28 There are clear distinctions between peoples in the Bible. Both Jesus and St. Paul play upon those distinctions, sometimes in shocking ways. Fr. Bill talks about how God has an “Exclusion Policy”, but not exclusively for Exclusivity. Watch his homily to hear God’s strategy for evangelization utilized by Jesus and St. Paul in which exclusivity is an essential tool.
May 21, 2023 by frbillnicholas The LION, the WITCH and the ASCENSION OF JESUS Homily for Ascension Sunday – Year AMatthew 28:16-20 Fr. Bill discusses the novels of C.S. Lewis, and the priorities Jesus left with us when He Ascended into Heaven. He also addresses the importance of Creation and the Eschaton in relation to those priorities as we await, hope in and expect the eventual Return of Jesus at the End of Time.
March 26, 2023 by frbillnicholas COVID: 3 YEARS LATER – The “Lazarus Bookends” Homily – 5th Sunday of Lent (A)John 11:1-45 – The Raising of Lazarus The last time the “Raising of Lazarus” was read at Sunday Mass the World was in the midst of Covid Lockdowns and a Spiritual Death-of-Sorts. Three years later, as we hear that Gospel story again, where are we now, how far have we come? Fr. Bill preaches on Jesus call “that they may have life and have it more abundantly”, and whether or not we have truly risen from this “death” from a disease that was “not to end in death” but that “the Glory of God may be revealed.”
February 20, 2023 by frbillnicholas JESUS WANTS US TO BE PERFECT Sunday Homily7th Sunday of the Year – A———Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18Matthew 5:38-48 “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Is such a thing even possible? Was Jesus serious when he said this? What are we to make of it if perfection is impossible for humanity? Fr. Bill preaches on these words of Jesus; why they were uttered; why we are expected, even commanded to be perfect, not as a suggestion, but as a mandate; and ways God has given us to achieve this seemingly impossible command.
February 12, 2023 by frbillnicholas WOKE CATHOLICISM? – Is it even possible? Homily – 6th Sunday of the Year – A——-Sirach 15:15-201 Corinthians 2:6-10Matthew 5:17-37 Fr. Bill preaches on the choice we are all given between the “wisdom of this age” and the “hidden” Wisdom that comes from God. He examines the Book of Sirach (15:15-20), the 1st Letter to the Corinthians (2:6-10) and the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17-37) in answering the question of how God gives us a clear choice in how we are to respond to His Revelation and His Wisdom.
January 30, 2023 by frbillnicholas THE GREATEST SPEECH EVER PROCLAIMED – The Sermon on the Mount Homily — 4th Sunday of the Year (A)Matthew 5:1-12 Fr. Bill preaches on great speeches throughout history, the great speeches in the Scriptures, and how the Sermon on the Mount stands as one of the Greatest Speeches ever given.
January 15, 2023 by frbillnicholas IN SEARCH OF . . . . JOHN THE BAPTIST Homily – 2nd Sunday of the Year – A—————–John 1:29-34 Fr. Bill preaches on the different accounts of John the Baptist between the Four Gospels and what we can learn about the possible historical dynamic between Jesus, John and their respective followers, and the final resolution regarding both men’s role in the overall plan of God.
