Through Dark Times

Through Dark Times

In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the darkest time of the year. This homiletic sermon talks about the dark and confusing times that come and how we get through them.

We are assured that we will be able to get through difficult and dark times.

"...[God] will not suffer you to be tempted beyond your endurance; but will make a way for you to escape your temptation, so that you will be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

"They shall not be weary nor stumble..." Isaiah 5:27

"....and it was revealed to [Joseph] in a dream to go to the land of Galilee." Matthew 2:22

This sermon uses the readings appointed from Isaiah 5; 1Corinthians 10; and Matthew 2. The scripture readings are from the Malankara lectionary.

This sermon given on Sunday, December 27, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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How Much Does God Weigh - Christmas 2009

How Much Does God Weigh?

This is a short Christmas 2009 sermon by Fr John Brian.

This sermon examines the wonder and paradox of the incarnation by first examining a few festival prayers said for Christmas in the Syrian-Malankara Ma'de'dono; and asking how much does God weigh and why?

Opening prayer by the priest:
Make us worthy, O lord God,
to hallow You with the holy seraphim without investigation;
to bless You with the blessed cherubim without hesitation;
to glorify You with the exalted powers without hindrance;
to adore You with the heavenly hosts without any blame;
to exalt You with the innocent shepherds unceasingly;
to worship You with the discerning wise men steadfastly;
and to rejoice in You, with Mary who bore You; eternally;
now and always...
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From the Supplication of Saint James:
Come, O wise man and see the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and marvel at Him for the whole creation is suspended at His gesture.
Consider Him lying in the manger with His human body, whereas He rules the heights and depths with His Father.
As the Virgin was giving Him milk like an infant, He was sending rain and dew to irrigate the crops of the land.
If you have a rational soul that is filled with faith, let you mind take wings to see Him in heaven as well as on earth.
+ + +

This sermon given on Thursday night, December 24, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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How Much Does the Spirit of the Lord Weigh?

How Much Does the Holy Spirit Weigh?
is answered in this sermon of Fr John Brian.

"Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know how to refuse evil and choose the good." Isaiah 7:15

"And he shall be at peace, and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him..." Isaiah 11:2

"He shall shine forth in the reverence of the Lord..." Isaiah 11:3

"[Abraham's faith] was not written for his sake alone, but for us also." Romans 4:23-24

"Gold and silver have I none; but what I have I give to you." Acts 3:6

This sermon examines the changes in the world due to the incarnation in the Sunday readings. The scripture readings are from the Malankara lectionary.

This sermon given on Sunday, December 20, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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Born of the Holy Spirit, Not Strife

"Let there be no strife between me and you... for we are brethren." Genesis 13:8

"..what is to be born of her is of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:20

"When Joseph rose from his sleep, he did just as the angel of the Lord commanded him." Matthew 1:24

This sermon examines the decisions we make when there is strife in our lives by looking at Lot and Joseph in the Sunday readings. It also includes some cautionary words about ecumenical and interfaith pitfalls. The scripture readings are from the Malankara lectionary.

This sermon given on Sunday, December 13, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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Creating Theosis

"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it..." Psalm 127:1

"...whereby we shall be visited by a ray from above. To give light to those who sit in darkness andin the shadow of death..." Luke 1:78-79

"Let everyone who has hope in God purify himself, even as He is pure." 1 John 3:3

"...the human life reaches its fulfillment only when it becomes divine." Rev Fr Demetrios Vakarios of Thessaloniki, Greece 1985

This sermon examines how we arrive at theosis as the fulfillment of the incarnation of Christ and how we can create the circumstances of theosis in our lives now. Psalm 127, the very end of Luke Chapter 1, first verses of Chapter 3 of John's first epistle and a passage from a Greek priest of St Demetrios Church in Greece are used to assist in our spiritual development. The scripture readings are from the Malankara lectionary.

This sermon given on Sunday, December 6, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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Restoring Creation

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27

"And God saw everything He had made, and, behold, it was very good..." Genesis 1:31

"He has brought victory with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart."" Luke 1:51

This sermon examines our current life in light of our creation. Genesis chapter 1 reflected into St Mary's prophetic words spoken to Elizabeth on their encounter. The scripture readings are from the Malankara lectionary.

This sermon given on Sunday, November 29, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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