In Your Presence

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, January 18, 2026. Today’s Gospel presents the account of Jesus' baptism seen through the lens of John the Evangelist. Its the Evangelist’s take. The Baptist appears in the description. (John 1:29-34). But John the Evangelist here interprets the baptism not simply as an event, but as a revelation of identity and mission. Jesus' mission is to be the Lamb that will take away the sin of the world. We need humility to recognize our sins, and embrace God's forgiveness. Have I really done that?Thumbnail : Francisco de Zurbarán, The Lamb of God, 1635, Prado Museum in Madrid.Music: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Angelic, with license.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai to university students at Ernescliff College, Toronto, on January 16, 2026.The account of the paralytic lowered by his friends in front of Jesus.Mark 2:1-12: When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralysed man carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralysed man lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Many souls seek to come closer to Jesus. How can we place them in front of Jesus?Thumbnail: Mosaic from the Basilica of Sant'Apolinnare in Nuovo, Ravenna, 5th century.Music: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Angelic Choir, with licence

Meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College, Toronto,on January 7, 2026.Mark 6, 45-52: "When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once he spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”We cannot let Jesus become for us just a phantom. Something seemingly spiritual, but that we don’t really connect with. Don’t really relate to. This is what happens when our prayer is devoid of a real relational, dialogue aspect.Thumbnail: Rembrandt’s Drawing “Christ Walking on the Water” 1638, from the British Museum.Music: Angelic Choir Library with license, Vienna Phiharmonic Orchestra.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation at Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, on January 2, 2026.Acts of the Apostles repeatedly describes the Apostles speaking with parrhesia—freedom, frankness, fearless speech (Acts 2:29; 4:13, 29, 31). They had received the spirit of adoption. Of divine filiation.Paul still throbs with this parrhesia, the thrill that he witnessed in the apostles. “You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ (Rom 8:15). How can this fearless sense of conviction imbue us as sons and daughters of God in 2026?Music: Angelic Choir Library with license, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.Thumbnail: Apostles at Pentecost 1030-1040, Ottonian parchment, Regensburg The J. Paul Getty Museum

A meditation preached on January 31, 2025, last day of the year, at Lyncroft centre. Traditionally, in the old Mass, after the priest had given the blessing, before returning to the sacristy, he would read the prologue of John’s Gospel about the preexistence of the Word, from all eternity that had now become flesh. This Gospel was a way to seal the Mass with the mystery of the incarnation, reminding the faithful of what they had received. Our faith is an encounter with the incarnate Logos, not merely an ethical system of good ideas. The apostles were energized by this truth at Pentecost. Now we too feel this same sense of mission as we embark on 2026.Music: O Come O Come Emmanuel. On X from Catholic Arena.Thumbnail: Icon of the enthroned Virgin and Child with saints George, Theodore and angels, 6th century, Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai.St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai, Egypt)

A Christmas Eve Meditation to families at Kintore College, on December 24th, 2025.Luke 2, 1-14: The account of the decree and the shepherdsToday in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour.’Why was the child in swaddling cloths a sign to the shepherds? What made them drop down to worship? What makes us drop down to worship God in our life?Thumbnail: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682), The Adoration of the Shepherds (c 1650), oil on canvas, 187 x 228 cm, Museo Nacional del Prado, MadridMusic: Angelic Choir Library with license from Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Hawthorn School for Girls in Toronto, on December 17, 2025.As we move forward into the countdown to Christmas, the Church presents us with the Gospel of Matthew that transmits to us the most famous genealogical tree in history. The origins of Jesus, the Messiah. It was written in a way that made it easier to remember. There were fourteen from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Babylonian deportation; and fourteen from the Babylonian deportation to Christ. It was all made easier to memorize. There are saints, but also sinners.We too advance, even with our falls. Our mistakes, our own limitations. It is a time for hope, that God uses us, and forges something in our vocation. Can I see that God writes straight with crooked human lines? History is not random. God patiently guides it. We must see God’s hand through history. We must see his loving providence through our life.Music: Vienna Symphonic library, choir of angels-384315Thumbnail: The tree of Jesse, Flemish Psalter from the library of the Irish College in Paris, made in Bruges 1500.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai to priests of the priests of the Archdiocese of Toronto, in the parish of St. Edward the Confessor.Today the church celebrates the 15th-century Saint Juan Diego from Mexico, with an unpronounceable last name. He was surnamed Cuauhtlatoatzin. The account of her appearance transformed Mexico. She can transform us, too.Music: Bert Alink, Adeste fideles, guitar, by John Francis Wade. Played 2017.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on December 8th, 2025 at Lyncroft Centrre in Toronto. It has been worthwhile to prepare this solemnity because it tells us something hopeful about God’s plan of salvation, his desire for our redemption. He could count on this woman, not as a mere instrument, but as a free and active cooperator that was beautifully prepared and primed for the great work of salvation.We say she is immaculate, because she is without macula, without stain. The fathers of the Church teased out the Eve-Mary parallel: Mary was the new Eve.Music: relaxing-piano-music-248868Thumbnail: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables (Soult Madonna), 1660–65, oil on canvas, (Museo Nacional del Prado)

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Lyncroft Centre, Toronto on December 6, 2025. The hymn of Our Lady, the Magnificat, (Luke 1, 46-55) is a pause in the infancy narrative, so that we can meditate on the events. It is as though we had to pause, think, catch our breath, and pray.“My soul magnifies the Lord,     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is his name. Thumbnail: The Magnificat" from the Church of Reconciliation, the church of the Taize Community in FranceMusic: relaxing-piano-music-248868

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on December 6, 2025 in Lyncroft Centre, Toronto.The theme of the Visitation (cf. Lk 1:39-45). It starts with the annunciation in which the angel informs Mary about two miracles: she will be both virgin and mother of the Messiah, and Elizabeth will give birth, even in her old age. Mary goes with haste to bring her joy, and spread it to others in the family. This is an important role in our life during Advent.Thumbnail: Peter Paul Rubens, left panel of the Visitation from 1612 in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp.Music: relaxing-piano-music-248868, from Hozana.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College in Toronto on December 3, 2025, on the feast of Saint Francis Xavier.Matthew 15:29–37 recounts Jesus healing many sick people by the Sea of Galilee. Matthew tells us about how there were large crowds of people. They were not just numbers to him, or statistics. They brought these people to him. The illnesses were varied. He made them whole again. There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves". But that clearly did not make sense. It was not logical, as the disciples barely had enough for themselves. But with that little contribution, those few loaves, and a couple of fish, that was enough for Jesus. It can be enough too in our apostolate.Music: O Holy Night by Christmas choir in Youtubetomp3.scThumbnail: Mosaic cycle Saint Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna 6th century, AD.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on the first Sunday of Advent in Lyncroft Centre, Toronto, November 30, 2025.Romans 13, 11: You know ‘the time’ has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The urgency of readiness for God’s appeal to our soul is the theme of Advent. Its a path that we ask God to teach us about. Psalm 25:  Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Vias tuas, Domine, demonstra mihi, et semitas tuas edoce me.Music: "In Dulce Iubilo", choir collection from: Die Schonste Deutsche Weihnachtslieder, ChristmasWorld by Zyx Music.

A meditation preached at Cedarcrest Conference Centre in Belfountain, Ontario, on November 23, 2025.Luke 23:35-43: The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’Thumbnail: The Romanesque crucifix (12th century) hanging in the Fuentiduena Chapel in The Cloisters, NYC.Music: Michael Lee.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Cedarcrest Conference Centre, in Belfountain, Ontario, on November 21, 2025.The cunning ruse of the devil was a dialogue with Eve, in which she believed the devil's lie, and she disobeyed God's command. Sin lead to our death. But this truth is also an opportunity to ask for true conversion. Music: Michael Lee of Toronto.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on November 19, 2025 at Kintore College in Toronto. The topic is the Parable of the Talents from Luke 19:11-28.One day we will all arrive at that moment when our spiritual soul leaves our body, and goes off to judgment. The soul then ceases to vivify the body with the informing, animating principle we call life. The king responded to the man who had kept his one talent: Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.”

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai to a group of diocesan priests at Cedarcrest Conference Centre in Belfountain, Ontario, on November 7, 2025.John 5:2: We can picture the scene of the pool at Bethsaida, where the paralytic lay for 38 years. He had no one to help him enter the water when it was stirred. He was lying on his mat, waiting with a large crowd of other sick people, but had given up hope that he could be healed through the pool. Jesus, after asking if he wanted to be well, commanded the man to "Rise, take up your mat, and walk," and he was instantly cured, picking up his mat and walking away.Jesus is inviting us to have hope, he's giving us the grace to rise up, and take our responsibility seriously. To get up and embrace our call.Music: Michael Lee of Toronto.

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Ernescliff College, October 31, 2025. We meditate of the lament of Jesus over the holy City of Jerusalem. What was this lament about? He wept over the city, feeling the pain of the souls that were hardened to God's appeals.Luke 13, 33: ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say:‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’Music: Michael Lee of TorontoThumbnail: Enrique Simonet, Dominus flevit, Prado, Madrid, 1892

A meditation by Fr. Eric Nicolai, preached in Lyncroft Centre in Toronto, October 26, 2025, on the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14).Music: Stephen Lee of TorontoThumbnail: Rembrandt, Etching of St. Jerome kneeling in prayer, 1635. From artnet

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on October 15, 2025 at Kintore College, Toronto. Today we celebrate Theresa of Avila, this 16th century mystic, who died in 1582. Her conversion led her to reform her order, emphasizing poverty, prayer, and contemplative life. Juan Diego was her contemporary, thousands of kilometers away in Mexico. Both discovered the nature of confidence in God, gounded in the inside of the soul. Music: Michael Lee of Toronto.