12.22.2017

Feast of St.Nicholas

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.
 
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?