Our Divine Purpose in Lent - February 2007

Our Divine Purpose in Lent - homiletic sermon by Fr John Brian recorded Sunday, February 18, 2007 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel) in Madison, Wisconsin USA. Focusing on the Prophecy of Isaiah (58:3-14) and the Epistle of St Paul to the Colossians (3:1-17) with a reference to Joel 2:12-14.

Extemporaneously given - no written text or outline is used besides the scriptures

Blessed is That Servant - February 2007

Blessed is That Servant - homiletic sermon by Fr John Brian recorded Sunday, February 11, 2007 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel) in Madison, Wisconsin USA. Focusing of the Gospel reading from Luke 12:32-48 with verses from James Chapter 3.

Fulfillment of Life - February 2007

Fulfillment of Life - homiletic sermon by Fr John Brian recorded Sunday, February 4, 2007 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel) in Madison, Wisconsin USA. Focusing of the Gospel reading from Luke 2:22-40 with a passage from Ephesians Chapter 3.

Nineveh - a Christian Refuge?

This bit of news is offered for our edification and contemplation, since we have just completed the three-day Fast of Nineveh and read through the story of Jonah - how he brought redemption to that Gentile kingdom,  even though Jonah himself did not believe they would repent.  Unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, the Ninevites were given the prophet and repented.  And, although it has been through a turbulent history, Nineveh still exists and has been allowed, perhaps through the very mercy of God, to be a help to those in trouble. Reading through some news articles, I came across this wondrous development.  Centuries and centuries after Jonah was sent by God for the redemption of Nineveh, it may become a refuge for Christians.   

 

"Several Christian parties recently introduced an unusual bill in the regional parliament in Arbil, the Kurdish capital. They proposed the establishment of a Christian autonomous zone in the eastern portion of the Iraqi province of Nineveh, the traditional homeland of Assyrian Christians and now partly controlled by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters. Under the bill, the Chaldean, Syrian and Assyrian Christian minorities would be granted official status under the constitution -- first by the Kurdish regional parliament and then by the National Assembly in Baghdad."

[source: "Fighting for Their Survival: A Christian Exodus from the Arab World"  Spiegel Online - January 10, 2007, 05:09 PM http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,457002,00.html - Translated from the German by Christopher Sultan.]

Nineveh, a refuge for Christians?  We, in the Oriental Orthodox tradition that has kept the tradition of this fast, should not be surprised, but glorify the God of Israel that sent a prophet to the enemies of Israel for the their redemption - and ours.  It should be of great comfort that Christians would also be considered Ninevites as we have all been called to take refuge in Nineveh every year.  Let us pray for success of these efforts in Kurdish Iraq. Let us pray for Nineveh - and the Ninevites.  

 

your servant,

 

Fr John Brian

Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish

6205 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin

Sundays 10 am ~ 608.236.9622

http://maruroopa.blogspot.com/

www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/transfig.html

o HEAL YOUR LIFE o DEEPEN YOUR FAITH o ENRICH YOUR PRACTICE o REFRESH YOUR SPIRIT

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LIVING IN THE EIGHTH DAY

By Fr. John-Brian Paprock

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R U Ready for a Holy Task - December 2006

Are You Ready for a Holy Task - homiletic sermon by Fr John Brian recorded Sunday, December 17, 2006 at Maruroopa Palli (Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel) in Madison, Wisconsin USA. Focusing of the lessons of the dream of Joseph - Matthew Chapter 1:18-25 and St Paul to the Galations Chapter 1: 11-24 and 1 Peter 2:11-17.

One unique feature of these recorded sermons is that they are extemporaneously given - no written text or outline is used besides the scriptures.