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This night’s Vigil is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities. Augustine said his wounds were the badges of his victory, the same wounds now decorate him, now embellish the beauty of his risen body. Faith in the truth of the resurrection of Christ can imbed itself in us so that we live always with a true, deeply-rooted supernatural vision. Preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai in Cedarcrest Conference centre in Belfountain, Ontario, during a High School Retreat.
Music: Lobo de Mesquita Dominica in Palmis by Regencia Maria Ines Guimaraes. Open Source.
Thumbnail: The Resurrection of Our Lord Tapestry in the Vatican Museum. "Scuola Nuova" series episodes of the Christ Life. From a Cartoon of Raphael's school. Brussels, 1524-1531. Workshop of Pieter van Aelst.
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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Today, in the office of readings from Holy Saturday, there is an ancient text from the early Church. All about Christ's descent to the dead, to free Adam and Eve and the just. He extended his hand to them, and to us now. Reach out to him in prayer. The Resurrection is represented in different ways, from traditions stemming from Western traditions, like Piero della Francesca from the 1460s. Here Christ is conquering over the external world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Resurrection_(Piero_della_Francesca)
Eastern icons show him descending to the dead, freeing those in Sheol, like Duccio's version inspired by Eastern icons. Both are an invitation to learn the art of prayer in the silence of Holy Saturday. Preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai, at Cedarcrest Conference centre in Belfountain, Ontario.
https://www.cedarcrestcc.ca
Music: Adoramus Te, Christe was composed by Théodore Dubois (1837-1924).
Thumbnail: Duccio di Buoninsegna - Descent to Hell 1309 (Siena Museum)
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The ancient church took up the practice of the adoration of the cross. Then added the singing of the Reproaches (Improperia), an ancient and haunting chant that the Church does on Good Friday. "My people, What have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me!" (Popule meus, quid feci tibi? Aut in quo contristavi te? Responde mihi.)
Fr. Eric Nicolai helps us to prepare to live Good Friday in this meditation on the Cross, preached at Ernescliff College, on April 10, 2022.
Music: "Ave Verum Corpus" by William Byrd (c.1539/40--1623) Public Domain.
Thumbnail: Follower of Jan Mostaert, 1520 (National Gallery London).
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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Today is the ninth anniversary of the inauguration of the pontificate of Pope Francis. There are a number of keys through which he has sought to serve the church: Among them we have fraternity, Divine Mercy, the custodianship of St. Joseph, and youth.
Being a protector was truly all about very practical decisions. St. Joseph, said the Pope, is an extraordinary figure, not because of any astonishing charism or special status, but because he accomplished extraordinary acts of service in his daily life. “God looks on the heart, and in Saint Joseph, He recognized the heart of a father, able to give and generate life in the midst of daily routines.”
Preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai in Lyncroft centre, Toronto, March 19th, 2022
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.
Thumbnail: Saint Joseph. Francesco Grandi. Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine del Soccorso - Ossuccio, Italy.
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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There are many places in the Bible that speak of the generosity of the people of God. In Exodus 36:1-7, we are told that Moses built the sanctuary of the temple sumptuous and grand. Mary of Bethany broke open the alabaster jar over Jesus' feet. Paul is amazed at the generosity of the Corinthians: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."
Preached at Lyncroft Centre, April 13, 2022
Music: Adoramus Te, composed by Théodore Dubois (1837-1924)
Thumbnail: St. Mary Magdalene anoints Christ's feet, 1450 - 1500; 1600 - 1610. National Library of the Netherlands, Public Domain.
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Numbers 21:4-9: Tells us about the Israelites left Mount Hor. They are in the wilderness and complain to Moses about their food, about their discomfort. God sends these fiery serpents and they are bitten. Moses intercedes for the people, but God asks him to fashion a bronze serpent and put it on a standard. Then a connection with the Gospel of John, 8, 21-30: They failed to understand that he was talking to them about the Father. So Jesus said: ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing of myself.
So why does Church choose to veil crosses in Passion week?
Music: "Ave Verum Corpus" by William Byrd (c.1539/40--1623) Public Domain.
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Jn 13:1: "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." These words of the apostle can rekindle in us a deeper love and awareness of what happened at the Last Supper. Fr. Eric Nicolai goes through the details of this central event: St. John narrates the washing of feet (vv. 4-11) and Jesus’ explanation of why he did it (vv. 12-17). It then mentions the denunciation of the betrayer (vv. 18-32) and ends with the teaching of the new commandment (vv. 33-35) and the prediction of Peter’s denial (vv. 36-38). Preached on April 1, 2022.
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink
Thumbnail: Altarpiece of the Holy Sacrament, 1464-1468, by Dieric Bouts, St Peter’s Church, Leuven.
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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John 5, 18: "I tell you most solemnly, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing..."
Jesus was not merely a wise teacher. He was intertwined with God the Father and sent by the Holy Spirit. He says these encouraging words: If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (Jn 8, 31)
To be set free implies that one is already in a prison in some way, or that one is constrained, limited. Am I constrained by my own selfishness? A meditation preached at Lyncroft Centre on March 30, 2022.
Mention was made of Jean Twenge's book, The Narcissism Epidemis:
http://www.jeantwenge.com/the-narcissism-epidemic-book-by-dr-jean-twenge/
Music: Alfred Cottin (1863-1923) Habanera, played by Bert Alink
Thumbnail: Jean Bourdichon, The Holy Trinity, c. 1503-1508. Miniature from the Grandes Heures of Anne of Brittany, Queen consort of France (1477-1514)
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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Today we celebrate the anniversary of the ordination of Saint Josemaria, which took place on March 28, 1925 in the chapel of San Carlos, a 17th-century baroque gem attached to the seminary of Zaragosa. Fr. Eric Nicolai recounts the history and invites us to examine our own readiness to do God's will. Preached at Kintore College, March 28, 2022.
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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Lk 1, 35: The Holy Spirit will come upon you…and the power of the most high will overshadow you… We are always overshadowed by God's presence, but also interconnected by among each other through grace.
A meditation on how to live this interconnectedness, this communion of the saints.
Preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai in Lyncroft centre, Toronto, March 20, 2022
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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Gospel Lk 4: 1-13: Picture Jesus in the desert. The desert is an inhospitable place. Dry sand, rocky, the occasional shrub, and no water. Hot in the day, freezing at night. I too want to be resolute during this Lent, these 40 days. But with your help Lord, we can. Fr. Eric Nicolai reflects here on our temptations.
Jaime Sanz Santcruz wrote an amazing book, Reilusionate.
https://www.amazon.ca/Reilusiónate-Spanish-Jaime-Sanz-Santacruz-ebook/dp/B09H2RPFKW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GIZFNDV8R3BN&keywords=Reilusionate&qid=1646968079&sprefix=reilusionate%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1
Music: Handel, 'Ombra mai fu' from Serse, HWV. 40 Piano Glen Hoban.
Thumbnail: Ivan Kramskoi, Jesus in the Wilderness, 1872. Public domain.
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Psalm 50: "Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me ...a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn..."
In Latin: Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam...
These are words on king David's lips after he sinned. He was confident that God would forgive him. In this meditation, Fr. Eric Nicolai invites to fill ourselves with a deeper sense of God's mercy, expressed in frequent confession.
Music: Oliveira Miserere No.1 Coro Vox Brasiliensis organ composed by Manoel Dias de Oliveira. On https://musopen.org. Public domain.
Thumbnail: Pieter de Grebber, King David Chooses from Three Plagues, ca. 1635–40 Utrecht. Public domain.
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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We began with the ashes on our forehead: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return" (cf.Gen 3:19). Pope Francis said: "The dust sprinkled on our heads brings us back to earth; it reminds us that we are dust and to dust we shall return."
This is the itinerary we now embark upon: Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. All geared to inner conversion. Will this be the best lent of my life? The liturgical colour has changed to purple. This will set the tone.
A meditation preached in Lyncroft centre in Toronto, by Fr. Eric Nicolai.
Music: A. Vivaldi, Nisi Dominus, RV 608 - IV. Cum dederit.
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Mark 10:17-27 The young rich man
This passage was used by JP2 for the first inaugural WYD back in 1985 in his letter "Dilecti Amici". Pope John Paul II explained that Jesus met a number of young people, but this meeting of Jesus with the young rich man was the richest in character, in content. It has a universal and timeless character. How have I responded to this call? This is a meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College in Toronto, on February 28, 2022.
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink .
Thumbnail: Hans Memling, Portrait of a Young Man, ca. 1472–75 Metropolitan Museum of Art.
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
www.opusdei.ca
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Matt 13, 44-46: The parable of the hidden treasure, and the fine pearl.
If we found a great treasure, we would do everything possible to safeguard it. Our vocation is like that hidden treasure, but also like that pearl, it is unique to us, and we were allowed to find it. God has been working at it for years, just like a tiny pearl in its shell. Fr. Eric Nicolai describes the beauty of our life in Christ.
Music:Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink
Thumbnail: Base of the Medieval Chalice of Abbot Suger (1081 – 1151). Now in the National Gallery in Washington DC.
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A meditation by Fr. Eric Nicolai in Kintore College, Toronto, on February 14, 2022, the anniversary of the founding of the womens' branch of Opus Dei (1930) and the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross (1943). How do they all fit together?
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.
Photo of Saint Josemaria from 1967, from the Historical institute of St. Josemaria Escriva. https://www.isje.org/it/istituto-storico/
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Meditation by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College: The dimensions of our apostolic task are outlined by two fishing scenes from the Sea of Tiberias, which offer a glimpse of the way Christians navigate through history. One is the Master’s forceful invitation to be daring – “Put out into the deep!” (Lk 5:4); and the other is the words of the Beloved Disciple, “It is the Lord!” (Jn 21:7), reflecting the attentive, perceptive faithfulness that enables us to recognise Jesus.
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.
Thumbnail: KB den Haag 76 F 5, St. Bertin Bible abbey (France), c. 1190-1200.
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Fr. Eric Nicolai preaches on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, recounted in Luke 2, 22-40. The aged Simeon said this child was "a light for revelation to the gentiles." Does Jesus really light up my life? Does this provide me with a unified narrative in everything I do?
Music: Handel, Opera Rinaldo, Aria "Lascia ch'io pianga", arranged for guitar by Bert Alink.
"You Light Up My Life" written and composed by Joseph Brooks, and originally recorded by Kasey Cisyk for the soundtrack album to the 1977 film of the same title. It won best song in the 1978 Oscars.
Thumbnail: parchment originates from East Anglia, dated to 1310, in the National Library of Wales (Wiki Commons).
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Fr. Eric Nicolai preaches in Lyncroft centre on December 5, 2020: Advent, time for a new conversion. How is that going to happen? In this recollection this is not som much like ascending to a hight mountain, but imagine now that your task is to clear the ground for the helicopter to land (got that image from Bishop Robert Barron). Like the Vietnam scenes in a Francis Ford Coppola, with the wind blowing as helicopters landing and the soldiers with the drill sergeants clearing the place for their comrades. The helicopter is coming in to give them assistance and take them away to a safe place. Knowing the our Lord is near, that He is coming to seek us, stirs up the desire to prepare our heart through a new conversion. Make his paths straight (Mt 3:3): Discovering what has become twisted in our life, removing the obstacles, in order to encounter our Lord with joy. Raising our sight with a renewed supernatural outlook.
Music: Adrian Guerenger, "Fall", from his album "Singularity". Artilist.io
See meditations on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/ericnicolai
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Mark 13:33-37 speaks about being alert and ready for the coming of the master. How does this actually happen in our life? Here is a meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Lyncroft Centre on ways of staying awake.
Music: Composer is Adrián Berenguer, the song is "Fall", Album: Singularity (2017).
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