Bob Nicholas

On Tuesday of this week I gave a short talk to some teens and adults present for praise and worship at St. Francis. I wanted to share a part of that talk with you because I have been affected by this ideal and is having great impact on me.

Who is your favorite band, or sports team, player, writer, public figure? I remember when I was younger I thought Barry Sanders was the Man! He is the best running back ever in my professional opinion.

When I was in high school my good friend Josh Matthew took me to Camp Barakel in Michigan. We came from a small town Baptist church and there was only Josh, myself, and our group leader in the high school group. As a result we had to share a cabin with another group. Barry was one of their group leaders. Along with Jason Hansen, the Lions kicker. This is one of those “so there I was stories…” I remember seeing him in the cabin the first time and being amazed. Here is the best running back in history (remember my professional opinion), and I’m in the same room as him. This is unbelievable!

This last weekend we hear in John’s Gospel, “Behold the Lamb of God”.

s Catholics each Sunday we go to church and we receive the Eucharist, the Lamb of God. In theological description the Eucharist is the Transubstantiated Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. He is fully present in It; It is Him.

See if you can keep up. (1) The Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. + (2) He is fully present all of the time through and in It + (3) We receive this Living Bread at minimum every Sunday = WE SHOULD BE HAPPY AT CHURCH!!!!!!

How come every Sunday I see husbands and fathers, self included, arriving at church frustrated and upset, mad, sad, looking gloomy? Yet these same guys, self included, would give up everything for 2 Superbowl Tickets and a dinner with favorite quarterback #1 after the game?

Guy’s, there is no bigger game. There is no better player. There is no better singer, speaker, writer, anything. Jesus is the MVP. As we enter church we should BE excited. We are entering the house of the God of the Universe. Every seat is a good seat.

Call this a challenge, call this a reminder, call it what you will. I’m here to promise you that from here forth, I will be excited for church. I will be excited to partake in the greatest celebration in the world. That of the Resurrected Christ present every day in Mass and Church.

Let’s together reclaim our roles by Leading our family’s to church, rather than being an anchor. Be the first in the car. Walk with your head high. Don’t back into your spot and leave after communion because Mass isn’t over yet!

Be an Off Brand Dad. Go to Church…smile…and Love it!