Fr. John Lopez Agundez preaches about hope as the source of optimism: There's no optimism without hope. The hopeful man realizes he is a pilgrim walking to heaven; he does not look back, he looks forward. Josemaria saw the DYA academy bombed out during the Spanish Civil War, but shortly after that setback, he preached to the others about optimism. He was still hopeful and transmitted this to others around.

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.

She was born because God had chosen her from all eternity. Today it is not so much about her qualities, or what she did. Just that God brought into this world and that alone is worth celebrating. Like John the Baptist she is on the threshold between the Old Testament and the New. "Mary, the Daughter of Zion and ideal personification of Israel, is the last and most worthy representative of the People of the Old Covenant but at the same time she is "the hope and the dawn of the whole world." With her, the elevated Daughter of Zion, after a long expectation of the promises, the times are fulfilled and a new economy is established" (LG 55).

The triptych of Nativity of the Virgin by Pietro Lorenzetti (1335) in the Cathedral of Siena.

The music is by Handel, Lascia chi's pianga, played on the guitar by Bert Alink.

Fr. Eric Nicolai speaks about the beauty inherent in a life dedicated to others. This is only possible if we realize the extent of God's love for us. The Prophet Isaiah was a court prophet who constantly emphasized the value of fidelity to God. He famously expressed God's love for each person: "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me." (Is 49, 15-16) How can we instil this attitude of gift of self in a culture that is focused more on self fulfillment?

The music is a Handel Aria, "Lascia che io pianga", beautifully rendered on the guitar by Bert Alink.

The thumbnail is Raphael's 1512 fresco of the Prophet Isaiah in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino in Rome.

Fr. John Lopez Agundez preaches about the experience of St. Josemaria when he celebrated Mass: time seemed to stop. How can we follow Mass more devoutly and more focused on the supernatural reality in front of us?

A meditation by Fr. Eric Nicolai: Jesus says he must suffer, and Peter says God forbid…and he is rebuked with the strongest possible words: that he is satan. Meaning an obstacle to the salvific plans. This is about seeing our life too humanly, approaching challenges too passively. Do I experience the temptation of not embracing the cross that will make us grow in love?

Opening and closing guitar composed by F. Händel, Lascia ch'io pianga. Played by Bert Alink.

Painting of Saint Peter gazing at the keys, by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (1591 – 1666) also know as Guercino, in the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, CA.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preaches about the dramatic account of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist and the situation in Herod's royal court. Herod’s banquet. The decadent and sensual atmosphere. The trendy people. Yet John defended the truth,  telling it plainly to those who needed to hear it. John was not a whiner or complainer. He was tough. An example to help us defend the truth to our friends.

The painting is from Andrea Solario, "Salome with the head John Baptist (1506) in the  Metropolitan Museum of Art. The introductory aria is from Handel guitar piece, by Bert Alink Rinaldo:  Aria "Lascia che io pianga".

Fr. Eric Nicolai preaches about St. Monica (331-387), who  prayers for years for the conversion of her son Augustine. He was brilliant, cultured, and had a wide circle of friends, but was seduced by the world. God gave in to her persevering prayers when he drew Augustine (354–430) to himself through beauty. 

Fr. Eric Nicolai invites us to imagine Jesus saying these words to the Pharisees: "woe to you pharisees, you hypocrites…" (Matt 23, 23-26).  I don’t know what it sounded like in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke. But the tone was important.  Sternest words of condemnation that ever came from our Lord's lips. There was also tone of deep sorrow. This is an invitation to examine how often we seek to ingratiate ourselves with others. To win applause. Or am I somehow sad when I am forgotten? When I am passed over? Let's often rectify, to do everything for God the father. We have the example of Dora del Hoya who worked in the domestic administration of the centres of Opus Dei in Rome. She served all her life, and was ready to disappear. That is one of the main reasons her cause of canonization was opened in 2012.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preaches about the nature of joy, expressed as cheerfulness. This can be an obligation of charity, a duty to light up the house around us. Here are some examples about how to bring this about in our life.