Los personajes del evangelio son históricos, pero también son estados del alma. Todos somos Zaqueo en nuestro deseo de ver a Jesús, y lo hospedamos en nuestra casa. Para eso requerimos humildad: busquemos detectar el orgullo sutil y tenaz que se enrosca en nuestra alma. Nos servirá meditar y repetir la “Letanía de la humildad”.

2024-06-04 Orgullo sutil y tenaz

Originally published in 2021. &quot;Ask, seek, knock.&quot; Jesus gives us great confidence that God always answers our prayers.  Our Lenten penance can make them even more powerful. <a href='https://comeawaybyyourselves.com'>https://comeawaybyyourselves.com</a>

Lent - Day 8

Doug unpacks things you can say during a fight to calm the waters when things get heated. Plus: One minute to a Rekindled Heart. Listener questions and comments: <ul> <li>Dee - My husband and I are separated due to his drug addiction that he kept from me. I thought he was sober the last four years. There are anger issues and he's accused me of stuff. He wants me back. What am I supposed to do? (20:19)</li> <li>Al - My wife and I both work. The bill division is not 50/50. It's more like 95/5. What do you think? (26:53)</li> <li>Ron - My wife has gained a tremendous amount of weight. How do I bring this up without hurting her? I love her very much. (39:26)</li> </ul> Resources: Rekindled Hearts Marriage Bundle <a href="https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle">https://relevantradio.store/collections/books/products/marriage-bundle</a>

Calming the Waters

In the discourse on the bread of life (John 6), some of the disciples are scandalized by the words of Jesus, and no longer go with him. "Will you also go away", he asks the apostles? Peter says: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." During hard times we realize we have made a commitment, and we must keep our word. Stay faithful, no matter what. Fidelity means a readiness to fight. To struggle. We do so now during the ups and downs of the pandemic. (Preached in Lyncroft centre by Fr. Eric Nicolai)
Music: Adrian Berenguer, Fall (Album Multiplicity, 2017)
Thumbnail: George Bellows, Dempsey and Firpo (1924), Whitney Museum of American Art, New York.
See other meditations: https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos

Fidelity: Never Give Up

Doug looks at another case study from "Impossible Marriages Redeemed." When you are struggling with your spouse, how can you change your own actions instead of theirs? Plus: what do you do when your spouse is distant?

What Can You Change?

Estando inmersos en un mundo de pecado, procuremos mantener la sensibilidad para no acostumbrarnos a su presencia. La mayor desgracia del mundo es haber perdido el sentido del pecado, porque haciéndolo pierde también la contrición. ¿Para removernos, o para remover a otros? La contemplación de la Pasión del Señor: el amor que asume todo pecado.

2024-09-11 El shock del pecado

Being One with Christ

Originally published in 2021. Forgiveness for our sins is an essential part of Lent.  But to receive forgiveness we must be ready to give it.  <a href='https://comeawaybyyourselves.com'>https://comeawaybyyourselves.com</a>

Lent - Day 6

Welcome to the audio collection for A Spiritual Retreat on St. Joseph, Father &amp; Protector.
To prepare for the spiritual retreat, download the following resources:
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<li>Guide for Making a Spiritual Retreat (<a href="https://stjosemaria.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Guide-for-Making-a-Spiritual-Retreat-2021.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View/Download PDF</a>)</li>
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<li>Examination of Conscience (<a href="https://stjosemaria.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Examination-of-Conscience-Spiritual-Retreat.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View/Download PDF</a>)</li>
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We hope that this spiritual retreat will be a time of fruitful and life-changing prayer for you!

A Spiritual Retreat on St. Joseph, Father & Protector

In The Tenth Hour: Ten Transforming Encounters with Jesus in the Gospels, Joe Billmeier guides readers through ten powerful Gospel scenes where ordinary people meet Jesus—and are never the same again. From Bartimaeus the blind beggar who dared to cry out, to Zacchaeus who climbed a sycamore tree, to Simon of Cyrene unexpectedly pressed into carrying the Cross, each story reveals the lasting transformation that comes from meeting Christ face-to-face.

The Tenth Hour

Deacon Patrick Conley joins Doug to discuss his faith journey that led him to the Deaconate. Doug also goes to the mailbag. What can a couple do if the husband is no longer physically able to fulfill his role in the bedroom? &nbsp; Listener questions and comments: &nbsp; <ul> <li>Joan &ndash; Congratulations to Deacon Patrick Conley! (9:12)</li> </ul> &nbsp; Resources: NaPro Technology <a href="https://naprotechnology.com/">https://naprotechnology.com/</a>

Intimacy and Eternity

En la última petición del Padrenuestro pedimos: libera nos a malo, líbranos del malo, es decir, de satanás. El demonio es como un tenista que tiene en un mano la raqueta de la carne y en la otra la del mundo: los tres enemigos del hombre. Tiene también su propia raqueta, que es la del mundo oscuro y de la soberbia. Actúa arteramente, es el seductor que busca apartarnos de Dios.

2025-09-27 Líbranos del maligno

The image of our Lord as Good Shepherd is a challenging one.   It means that we Christians are sheep.  Our pride and self-sufficiency naturally bristle at this image.  Only with deep humility, and contemplating Jesus the Lamb of God, can we embrace being sheep and having a Shepherd.  <a href='https://comeawaybyyourselves.com'>https://comeawaybyyourselves.com</a>

Good Shepherd, Good Sheep

Meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College, Toronto,on January 7, 2026.Mark 6, 45-52: &quot;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.

When Jesus Seems like a Ghost

Revela el libro del Génesis que Dios se paseaba por el paraíso al viento de la tarde (3, 8). Conversaba familiarmente con Adán y Eva porque el hombre fue creado para participar de la intimidad divina. Esa verdad, el misterio oculto por los siglos, permaneció velado hasta la Encarnación. En ella se despliega ante nuestros ojos el grandioso proyecto divino: hacernos partícipes, en Cristo, de la misma naturaleza de Dios.

2024-01-19 El prodigio de ser hijo de Dios

This week, we are joined by Msgr. Charles Pope to discuss his book, The Hell There Is, and why a healthy understanding of eternal justice is essential for modern families.We explore how a diminished awareness of Hell has led to a trivialized view of God and discuss the vital importance of teaching children about repentance and spiritual reality without fear. Msgr. Pope offers pastoral guidance on balancing God’s infinite love with His justice, helping parents prioritize their children's eternal salvation over worldly success.You can find Msgr. Charles Pope’s book, The Hell There Is, through <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-hell-there-is-an-exploration-of-an-often-rejected-doctrine-of-the-church/">TAN Books</a> and check out more of his appearances and writings on his <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://msgrpope.com/">website</a>.Listen to this episode on our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fairestlovefamilyproject.org/fairest_love_podcast/the-hell-there-is-with-msgr-charles-pope-s6-ep-10/">Website</a>

Hell There Is with Msgr. Charles Pope

On the Feast of St Matthias, we reflect that living the fullness of the Christian faith does not require an extraordinary calling. All Christians, priests and lay faithful alike, have the duty, by virtue of their Baptism, to proclaim Christ, His Death and Resurrection through their words and actions. The ordinary greatness of this sweet burden requires us to make Christ truly central in our lives
A meditation by Father John Agnew.

Called to Be Christ

Jesus teaches us how to be good friends of our friends. In this meditation, Msgr. Thomas Bohlin reflects on the Gospel scene of the disciples of Emmaus to bring forth the beauty of friendship.

Friendship

Fr. Peter Armenio, an Opus Dei priest, reminds us that St. Josemaria was inspired by the light of God with the mission to bring Christ into the heart of the entire world in a way that He had never been before. Into a world that is gripped by a culture of death; to be healed by the intervention of God’s Mercy. “God is the same as always. It is men of faith that are needed: and then, there will be a renewal of the wonders we read of in the Gospel” (St. Josemaria; The Way, no. 586). Faith filled children of God are called to participate in this beautiful mission. We are to replicate both the joy and the affection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This can be done if first a well formed interior life of prayer is established, for it is our prayer life that exudes this joy, the light of Christ. Fr. Peter refers to what St. Gregory Nazianzen wrote in his Oration #39 that, “[God] wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shinning in the world.” This is no ordinary light he speaks of; it is a light in which we are bathed in the glory of God. Let us ask Our Blessed Mother Mary to help us enter into the light, the light of her Son, which is nothing more and nothing less than the Mercy of God. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast ad-free and accessible for all our listeners: <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/give/'>Give today!</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://stjosemaria.org/give/">Support the show</a>

No Ordinary Light

In this podcast, Msgr. Dolan shares a reflection on the importance of silence as exemplified in the passage of the Transfiguration of Christ. This Scripture passage reminds us of a popular verse from the book of Psalms, “be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:11). The disciples who witnessed the transfiguration embraced the silence; they did not tell anyone what they had seen. They understood that anything other than silence would have ruined everything. Instead, they held on to the fresh memories they had made. Throughout the season of Lent, we are encouraged to create an interior silence that allows us to enjoy the presence of God. Pope Francis shares that “the Lord speaks to us in a variety of ways, at work, throughout others, and at every moment. Yet, we simply cannot do without the silence of prolonged prayer, which enables us to perceive God’s language and to see the whole of our existence afresh in his own light” (Gaudete et Exsultate, no. 171). It is our role as Christians to see the whole of our existence the way that God sees it—to see our role in the history of the world and to discover the will of God. As we make these discoveries, we should have the confidence to joyfully live out this way of life. Lent is a time of purification. The more we take time to think and pray about it, the more we realize the many distractions that are stirring within us. When we embrace silence in prayer, we can get away from the thoughts of what interests us and begin to see what interests God. Silence not only helps us understand the will of God but it also helps us to appreciate those around us and helps us to be charitable. Ultimately, the Lord will judge us on how we use our gifts, and as St. Josemaria shares in The Way, “after seeing how many people waste their lives…silence seems preferable to me, and more necessary than ever” (The Way, no. 447). THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you enjoy our weekly meditations, please consider helping us keep the St. Josemaria Institute Podcast ad-free and accessible for all our listeners: <a href='https://stjosemaria.org/give/'>Give today!</a> <a rel="payment" href="https://stjosemaria.org/give/">Support the show</a>

Transfigured By Silence

Si Jesús da su vida por las ovejas eso significará que ellas le importan mucho. ¿Por qué? Porque son imagen y semejanza de Dios, y le duele que el demonio destroce esa imagen de su Padre. Además, porque a Él también le duele no recibir correspondencia al amor que les ofrece. Y, por último, por el daño que se causan a sí mismas las ovejas. Jesús nos llama a corredimir con Él, tanto en el apostolado de la oración, como en el de penitencia, como en el de la acción.

2024-09-23 Corredimir

A meditation on fear, preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai, at Kintore College, Oct 14, 2022.
Luke 12:1-7: The people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And Jesus began to speak, first of all to his disciples. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees – that is, their hypocrisy. (...) ‘To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight. Every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.’
 
Why be aware of the Pharisees? They knew the law. They were experts. Why? Because it seems a common conclusion that if someone knows the law, and is not truly affected by it, then the law must be to blame. It must not really have the power to transform or to change someone. Yet the Lord relies on our freedom. It is true now as well. Many lapsed Catholics will blame some priest or some religious person’s lack of integrity to justify why they don’t practice.
Music: Carlos Gardel, Soledad, arranged for guitar by Bert Alink
Thumbnail: Rembrandt, Head of Christ, circa 1648-1656, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia. Wikicommons.
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Worth More than a Hundred Sparrows

On the 19th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Fr. Eric Nicolai speaks about the challenge of charity, especially to love those we don't find easy to love. C.S. Lewis said: "Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did." How am I really acting? Do I easily judge others? This is an opportunity to late God's grace sink in deeply.

September 11 Memorial: Never Hate Enemies

&quot;Spes non confudit&quot; -- with these words from St. Paul, Pope Francis invited the Church to celebrate the Jubilee year of 2025.   Living Christian hope, firmly based on God&apos;s love for us, we can become beacons of hope for many others.

Jubilee ‘25: “Hope does not disappoint”

Gratitud para con Dios en esta fecha en la que “irrumpió” en el alma de san Josemaría para abrir este camino de santidad. Y lo hizo también respecto al nombre: es una obra de Dios. No la imaginó un hombre. Convicción que comunica una gran paz: si es de Dios, permanecerá más allá de las vicisitudes de la historia.

2025-10-02 La Obra es de Dios

In this meditation, Fr. Mark Mannion reflects on how Christians are called to transform suffering into joy by uniting daily crosses with Christ’s passion, moving from the glory of Mount Tabor to the sacrifice of Calvary. Drawing on Saint Paul, Saint Josemaría, and spiritual insights from Scripture, Fr. Mark emphasizes that “no day without the cross” should be lived joyfully, for only through grace can sorrow be transfigured into redemption. Illustrations from films, literature, and personal stories highlight how confronting mortality can awaken deeper purpose, while faith reveals suffering as meaningful rather than absurd. The paradox of “joy-sorrow” emerges as the heart of the interior life, where bliss and affliction coexist, as seen in Christ on the cross and in holy people facing death with serenity. We should not avoid the cross but embrace it with gratitude, trusting that every trial—when offered with Christ—becomes a path to salvation. Our Lady, Mother of Sorrows and Cause of Joy, is the model who teaches us how to merge suffering and joy in our own lives and deaths.

Transforming Our Sorrows Into Joy

Are you a perfectionist? Are you married to a perfectionist? Is perfectionism ruining your marriage? Doug shares how perfectionism can harm marriages. He unpacks what perfectionism is and shares what perfectionism can lead to in marriage including: disappointment and frustration, pressure on others, criticism, stress and anxiety, difficulty to forgive, and focusing on the negative. Doug shares what to do if you are a perfectionist and what to do if you are married to a perfectionist. He discusses the importance of developing virtues of long suffering, courage, and understanding. Listener questions and comments: <ul> <li>Mary - We've been having issues with our adult children. My husband is very critical, and when our children mess up, my husband takes it out on me. What should I do? I feel like I am always the bad guy.</li> <li>Juan - My 50-year marriage is going great. We met in the military. Our secret is that I pull rank all the time.</li> <li>Bobby - I think perfection should always be what we're striving for, under Jesus Christ.</li> </ul> &nbsp; Catholic Therapists <a href="https://www.catholictherapists.com/">https://www.catholictherapists.com/</a> &nbsp; Catholic psychotherapy <a href="https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/">https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/</a>

What’s wrong with perfectionism?

Doug unpacks the challenges of getting married after the death of your spouse and what to do when it feels like everything is going wrong. &nbsp; Listener questions and comments: <ul> <li>Karen - My spouse has drug and alcohol problems and is not able to get help for himself. I'm exhausted from this. (5:30)</li> </ul> &nbsp; Resources: &nbsp; Searching for and Maintaining Peace <a href="https://bit.ly/4wkqb7F">https://bit.ly/4wkqb7F</a> &nbsp; Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence <a href="https://bit.ly/3R7CdC3">https://bit.ly/3R7CdC3</a>

Finding Love After Loss

Beginning Anew in Lent

Jesus&apos; parable of Lazarus and the rich man warns us of the danger of indifference.  Greed, gluttony, and vanity can all make us miss out on seeing the needs of others. <a href='https://comeawaybyyourselves.com'>https://comeawaybyyourselves.com</a>

Lent - Day 14

Así lo dijo Jesús: que nos conviene mantenernos en oración constante (cf. Lc 17, 1). ¿Por qué nos conviene? Porque Dios está atento a nuestra voz, inclinando su oído. Y porque, si no vivimos en relación, empezamos a declinar, ya que somos seres hechos para el amor. Entre los recursos para mantenernos orando están las señales que el Creador nos manda con la naturaleza, así como la invitación a cantar.

2024-10-22 Te conviene orar siempre

St. Thomas Aquinas refers to sadness as “pain of the soul,” and says that some sadness can actually lead to spiritual growth. Sadness can also lead to despair though. Doug shares how we can deal with sadness and gives practical tips for guarding against disharmony in marriage.

Sadness in Marriage

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai (July 9, 2020) at St. Ann's Parish in Hamilton, Ontario for a group of priests from Toronto and Hamilton.

Celebrating Holy Mass with Reverence and Devotion (For priests)

Today we pull from the Scepter Publisher's title, Why We Need Confession, by Russell Shaw. The excerpt is chapter 4: Will Being Good Make Me Happy?

Will Being Good Make Me Happy - Why We Need Confession

La conciencia de nuestra filiación divina se ejercita a través del don de piedad, que consiste en un trato profundo y personal con Dios. De ahí que nos conviene examinarnos cómo va nuestra piedad. No para cumplir ejercicio de piedad sino para confesar que somos sinceramente piadosos. Los ejercicios de piedad constituyen una nueva naturaleza.

2026-03-13 Ser piadosos

Jesús curaba toda enfermedad y toda dolencia. ¿Por qué ahora ya no actúa así? Si, a pesar de que lo pedimos con fe y perseverancia la salud de alguien, ¿por qué no se la devuelve? Porque quiere curar lo principal del hombre: su alma. Y porque, desde su crucifixión, la enfermedad y el dolor tienen un valor redentor. Él es el Médico y la medicina para nuestro mal principal: la ego-patía.

2024-05-27 Médico divino

Fr. Eric Nicolai begins the Novena to the Immaculate Conception at Ernescliff College, on November 30, 2021, feast of St. Andrew, the brother of Peter. The two became the most effective apostles ever, and they remained faithful to the end, both of them dying by crucifixion. Jesus made them fishers of men. &nbsp;How does this fit into the Novena?
Music: Adeste Fideles (John Wade Francis), arranged by Bert Alink (2017).
Thumbnail: Immaculate Conception by Peter Paul Rubens (1628) Prado Museum, Madrid.
For more meditations, check my channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/EricNicolai/videos
www.ernescliff.ca
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