Sunday, July 26, 2009

Living Bread and Priest at the Altar


Living Bread and Priest at the Altar

In memory of Reverend Father James Pike, priest, who passed to the next life July 23, 2009

"[The priest] is one who can humble himself and have compassion on those who are ignorant and go astray; for he himself also is subject to weaknesses." (Hebrews 5:2)....and an exemplar of this high standard was Fr James.
Eternal memory!

This homiletic sermon is two lessons with scripture commentary:
1. Bread of Life as the living fruit of the Tree of Life on this side of the Garden. Gospel of John 6:47-59
2. Priest as bridge and intercessor at the altar, inwardly and outwardly. Epistle to the Hebrews 4:14-5:5

This sermon has a special memorial tribute to Father James Pike, a priest of the Mission Society of St Gregorios of India who died July 23, 2009 in Spokane, Washington.

The sermon uses the readings from the Malankara lectionary.

This sermon given on Sunday, July 26, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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Monday, July 20, 2009

Christian At-One-Ment


Christian At-One-Ment: Separated Yet Together

"A household divided against itself cannot stand" Mark 3:25

"For he is our peace, who has made both one..." Ephesians 2:14

A homiletic sermon starting in Leviticus (16:29-34) with a discussion of the day of atonement through Isaiah (57:15-19), Acts (4:32) and Ephesians (2:11-22) all leading to the Gospel of Mark (3:20-30). All focus on the coming together, the unity, the fullness of God reconciliation - a Christian at-one-ment through the forgiveness of sins...

The sermon uses the readings from the Malankara lectionary.

This sermon given on Sunday, July 19, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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Monday, July 13, 2009

Spiritually Fed in Desolate Places


Spiritually Fed in Desolate Places

"Where can we get bread in this desolate place?" Matthew 15:33

A homiletic sermon on the story of feeding the multitude in at the end of Matthew chapter 15. Then a homiletic exploration of a few verses from the beginning of 1 Corinthians chapter 8.

The sermon uses the readings from the Malankara lectionary, including
Matthew 15:32-39 and 1 Corinthians 8:1-6.

This sermon given on Sunday, July 12, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Called Together in Community

Called Together in Community
Fr. John-Brian Paprock
Madison Wisconsin
delivered as a sermon in July 2002


Orthodox Christianity is a religion of individuals called together in community to worship the One True God in three persons revealed through the incarnation of Jesus Christ and delivered to the world through the Holy Apostles who created churches in various nations. The keys: individuals, community (communion), One God, Jesus Christ, Apostles, churches, nations.

This obviously means that there will be differences. The Apostles were called to carry the good news to all nations. Even from the earliest records there were difference of practice in the various churches, but there was enormous agreement on the Truth. (On this topic, see another 2002 article written by the author "Why We Still Follow the Apostles" and published on-line in the Indian Orthodox Herald and available here http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-do-we-still-follow-apostles.html)


Some of the differences between the Orthodox churches related to the non-Christian governmental systems that were dominate, often creating martyrs for the faith. Some were customs of the land that bore the Truths of God and were allowed to be incorporated through the divine revelation and inspiration of the Apostles and their successors. Geographical separations over decades and centuries allowed churches to grow in Holy Orthodoxy separately.

Each of us is an individual, called to a unique purpose under Christ Jesus through the power and gift of the Holy Spirit. If we fulfill that or not is a personal decision. No amount of water or oil (or chrism) or vesting or anything else will remove that decision from us. As such, we believe that salvation is not a sure thing because we confessed yesterday - but rather because we confess TODAY. We, as Orthodox Christians, also do not believe there is assurance of salvation beyond the church given to us through the Holy Apostles and kept alive to the present. Not that God cannot work in any manner He chooses - simply, we are assured salvation in the community of Holy Orthodoxy.

Holy Church cherishes our individuality so much that we each have to partake of the sacraments individually, by name if possible. If one is fallen or has gone astray, then each one needs to repent and be restored individually. Now the manner and form, although it must be within the acceptable practices of Holy Orthodoxy, can vary according to individual presenting needs. The determination of this is the burden of bishops and they will bear the weight of their decisions - but a repentant heart is never turned away from Holy Orthodoxy. So, whether one needs to receive baptism, Chrismation (muron) or confession, the Church will not turn away those that seek the Truth of Holy Community as long as they are willing to be participants in it. This determination is an individual matter. So, it follows that there would be a variety of stories about how different people and circumstances brought them to the One True Church.

When I go and see my doctor, I am glad that he treats me individually and doesn't give me unnecessary medication and treatment, neglecting my medical problems. So, the Divine Physician and Healer of our souls treats us for our individual needs and heals our unique spiritual pains and illnesses, if we are willing to be healed. Some priests and bishops are more cautious as they have seen great spiritual ills prevail in recent times. As such, there has been some modern confusion.

So, in Holy Orthodoxy, it matters much more that we are practicing and repentant Christians. We need to be true to our faith first and foremost. However, if someone wishes to join us, then we need to clear about what Holy Orthodoxy is:

Orthodox Christianity is a religion of individuals called together in community to worship the One True God in three persons revealed through the incarnation of Jesus Christ and delivered to the world through the Holy Apostles who created churches in various nations. The keys: individuals, community (communion), One God, Jesus Christ, Apostles, churches, nations.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Why Do We Still Follow the Apostles?

 Why Do We Still Follow the Apostles?

Apostles Feast 2002

by Rev . Fr. John-Brian Paprock, Madison, Wisconsin USA

[originally published in the Indian Orthodox Herald, July 2002]

 

Why do we still follow the apostles? After almost 2000 years, perhaps a better question is: DO we follow the apostles?

At the end of our creed, at every Qurbana, we say that we believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. In services for almost all occasions, we listen to wise counsel of scripture written by Apostolic writers - the Holy Gospel and the Epistles. We acknowledge (often with great pride) that St. Thomas was the Apostle that established churches in India in the first century. Our sister churches tap apostolic roots at their historic beginnings as well: St. Mark at Egypt, St. Andrew and St. Bartholomew at Armenia, St. Philip at Ethiopia, St. Paul at Antioch - among other saints and fore bearers.

But DO we follow the apostles? Are we "Apostolic"? Apostolic means "of the Apostles." Are we "of the Apostles"? The Holy Apostles were commissioned by Our Lord Jesus Christ to do specific things. There were disciples, those under discipline, who were also given specific instructions by Our Lord. There were also followers of "the way" both when Christ was in ministry for three years and many that have followed since. Apostles, however, were given greater responsibility and greater grace.

The word "apostle" denotes one that has been commissioned. Since most people in our modern litigious society know about contracts, a commission can be considered a broader and more pervasive contract. One can be commissioned into the armed forces as an officer or one can commission a piece of art from an artist. There is contractual expectation and compensation. Promises are made.

If we are of the Holy Apostles, then we, as a church, have entered into those promises. We follow them on "the way" as they followed Christ. We follow the Apostles in the legacy and with the promises that are living elements of our One Holy Universal Church.

But didn't the Apostles establish many churches in different nations, so how is Holy Orthodoxy's view different from protestants who seem to found churches all the time? If the Apostles established only one church, shouldn't we have only one leader, one hierarch above all other hierarchs? Capturing the Orthodox Christian view, John M. Black wrote (June 2002) in an email: "If God wanted the Papal model, the Holy Spirit would have been sent to only one of the Apostles. If God wanted the Protestant model, the Holy Spirit would have been sent to each Apostle separately." We look to Christ as the head of the Body, that is the Apostolic Church, and look to the wisdom of diversity within the One True Apostolic Faith.

What has it been to follow the Apostles? Holy Orthodoxy is the Church of Christ through the Apostles through history, but that is not to say that it exists only as a historic reservoir. One of the easiest mistakes to make about our Church is to forget that the Divine Work of salvation is a contemporary activity - it is here and now. The fact of historic apostolic tradition is only a confirmation of its contemporary status. Indeed, it has existed at each moment of history since Christ breathed the spirit upon the chosen Apostles and gave them the mission to bring the good news of salvation to all nations. The mission is also contemporary, but it is also ancient. The Apostolic Mission is fulfilled and completed in Holy Orthodoxy and, at the same time, it continues as a living purpose in society. Such is the nature of eternal truths, they exist in antiquity and in modernity. Truly we are an ancient church for modern society.

We need to present our faith as a living conscious faith. Holy Qurbana must not be celebrated, because that is the way it has been done before, but because we are living out our faith and have contemporary, modern needs that the ancient rituals of Qurbana fulfill. Our altars are not museum novelties, but places of living spirit and angelic presence. All of the Apostles, Saints and Holy Ones are present with us in the Apostolic Church - here and now! For we know that there is no death to those that know and love the Lord, that have faithfully adhered to the teachings given; with penance and contrition; with joy and forgiveness; with praise and thanksgiving. Let us not forget that Holy Orthodoxy is a spiritual reality.

"The Church, it is true, may not be removed completely from the world, for people enter her who are still living on the earth, and therefore the 'earthly' element in her composition and external organization is unavoidable; yet the less of this 'earthly' element there is, the better it will be for her eternal goals. In any case, this 'earthly' element should not obscure or suppress the purely spiritual elementthe matter of salvation of the soul unto eternal lifefor the sake of which the Church was both founded and exists." Archbishop Averky, (Orthodox Life, May-June, 1976)

It is this spiritual reality of our salvation, our spiritual health, our wholeness, that is the reason why we still follow the Apostles. And why so many others wish to do so, even if all they have of the Apostles is a contemporary version of the New Testament.

But DO we follow the Apostles? Yes! Holy Orthodoxy is the pearl of great price gifted to all who have found the path made firm by the Apostles. We know the church in her completeness is the fullness of Christ bodily and we, as baptized Orthodox Christians in Holy Communion with the Church, are the fruit of the Apostles. If we walk the path of spiritual development by partaking of the living Church in this present moment, with all that entails, then we follow the Apostles.

"They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers." Acts 2:42

Knowing this, do YOU follow the Apostles?

"Illumined with the holy light of the spiritual sun, O blessed Apostles, you shine in the world like stars with the light of the Godhead and drive away the darkness of error" ancient church hymn

Monday, July 06, 2009

Culture of God...Now

Culture of God...Now

"... [Jesus] taught them about the kingdom [culture] of God and healed as many that were in need of healing..."
Luke 9:11

A sermon on how to participate in the "culture" of God. Fr John Brian suggests that substituting the word "culture" for "kingdom" can make it more relevant in our modern multi-cultural world. It also helps see how much in the present it is.

The sermon uses the readings from the Malankara lectionary, including Luke 9:10-17; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20 and Isaiah 40:27-31 for the Sunday as well as scripture for the Apostles, especially 1st Corinthians 12:28-13:10 and for St Thomas, 1 Peter 2 :15-17.

This sermon given on Sunday, July 5, 2009 by Fr John Brian Paprock at
Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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