The
following Homily was given by Fr. Herbert Nicholls on December 6th at the
Mother of the Light Convent
This very popular saint whom we honor today has been patronized through
the centuries on altars and in churches recognizing him as one who enjoys the
presence of God. It is believed that he was born in the town of Myra in Lycia,
which is now part of Muslim Turkey. He was well brought up by his parents and
trod piously in their footsteps. At a very young age, he expressed interest in
the teachings of the Church. Upon his parents’ death, he was left with a hefty
inheritance which he determined to devote to works of charity.
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| Real face of Saint Nicholas 2014 Reconstruction |
An opportunity arose when an impoverished father was unable to support
his three daughters or find suitable husbands because of their poverty. In desperation
he was going to hand them over to prostitution. Whether this story is fact
there is a lesson which tells us that Nicholas, under the cover of darkness,
threw three bags of gold through the window as dowries for the girls to attract
husbands.
Perhaps today we might snicker not merely at the legend, but at the
generosity of this humble old bishop. And perhaps that is why Pope John Paul II
told us that a healthy church must learn to breathe with both lungs: east and
west. While we concentrate on the natural generosity, the east concentrates on
the gift of Mary and humility.
In the Roman Liturgy for today, we read from the Gospel of St. Mark
(18:1-4). This is the pericope in which the Apostles ask: Who
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? One might think that Jesus would
say: Well you are! You have given up everything to follow me. But Jesus did
not say that. Instead he lifted up a little child saying:
Whoever embraces a little child such as this is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven.
At the Annunciation, Mary, though confused humbly embraces the will of
God. She gives birth to Jesus who is the Christ. She is not only Christotokos,
she is Theotokos. The one whom she lifts up is not only human but Son of God.
At the age of 12, Jesus is taken to Jerusalem. Her adolescent son whom
she lifted up has disappeared and when found, He fills her with confusion and
fear. His answer seemingly impolite and out of place is nonetheless accompanied
by a return to love and obedience.
Twenty years later this grieving mother stands humbly beneath the Cross
as His scourged body is lifted up. She weeps humbly beneath the Cross as He is
taken down, placed in her arms in one final embrace.
The Archbishop in his homily continued describing the first Ecumenical
Council at Nicaea where a priest, Arius, promulgated erroneous teaching that
all things material/spiritual were mutually opposed. Natural things are by
nature totally evil and spiritual things are of the only essence. When asked
about the Incarnation, Arius denied its possibility.
According to Byzantine legend, Nicholas proceeded to slap Arius across
the face for the sin of blasphemy. The homilist continued: all the other
bishops in shock, sat there very politically correct saying nothing.
The next morning however, they proceed to deliberate a vote which
approved the “one person” and “two natures of Christ”. The Council, inspired by
Nicholas, representing what was then still an undivided Church. Nether east nor
west but one, gave to us devotion to Mary as Theotokos – Mother of God.
The universal appeal of Nicholas is one of childlike simplicity. It is
not about words but about deeds. No even more than deeds, it is about
recognizing who we are – sons and daughters of God.
The spirit of the season, like that of St. Nicholas must be an attitude
of grateful receivers and generous givers in forming loving relationships with
one another. Are these attitudes not worth much more than 3 bags of gold?