No Manna in Heaven

No Manna in Heaven

After the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the Malankara Syrian calendar appoints readings about manna, but not just any readings. Fr John Brian tells why there is no manna in heaven, even though manna was from heaven and from God. He starts with the reading from Joshua Chapter 5 and then to John Chapter 5 and finally looks at the Second Epistle of St Paul to the Corinthians Chapter 5 and into Chapter 6.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, May 30, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"Thanks be to God for His incomparable gifts." 2 Corinthians 9:15

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In Church, In God

In Church, In God

At Pentecost, the birthday of the Church - Fr John Brian reminds us that being in Church is being in God - but there is a challenge to stay with God even as we leave the safety and protection of the Holy Altar. He asks: What would this world be like if every Orthodox Christian leaving Church after receiving the Holy Spirit kept the Spirit with them in all their actions?

Also, find out what a priest does on his birthday.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, May 23, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"Thanks be to God for His incomparable gifts." 2 Corinthians 9:15

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
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Ascended Whole

Jesus Christ ascended to heaven according to the scriptures. Fr John Brian ponders the implication and hope of bodily ascension in that Jesus ascended whole. Why don't we?

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, May 16, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"Thanks be to God for His incomparable gifts." 2 Corinthians 9:15

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
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Faith and Knowledge

Faith and Knowledge - CHRIST IS RISEN!

At this last Sunday of Easter, Fr John Brian continues to talk about the resurrection teachings of Jesus Christ. This time, from the end of Chapter 9 in the Gospel of Luke is discussed together with a prophecy of Isaiah and the end of Chapter 11 in the Epistle to the Hebrews. All of this with the backdrop of Mother's Day. There was an interruption during the sermon and so this recording actually starts after introductory words which were recorded separately. Apologies for any loss in continuity.

This sermon uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, May 9, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"Thanks be to God for His incomparable gifts." 2 Corinthians 9:15

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
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prayer for a friend in trouble

[from the correspondence of Rev Fr John Brian]

Q: Can you write a little prayer for my FB Friend who is suicidal after severe abuse by a boyfriend?

prayer for a friend in trouble 

O Lord, Jesus Christ, we come before You with all our troubles and all our worries because we know that You will hear us. We know You can heal us of our infirmities, strengthen us in our tribulations and protect us from all harms.  We ask You to protect one of the little ones who has suffered through the hands of others, through life circumstance and through her own inadequate efforts. Protect her from the evil around her and from harmful delusions that would cause her to harm herself.  Make Your loving, merciful and benevolent power known to her, so that she can see the way of hope, of love, of redemption, of healing and of wholeness. Grant her peace in her troubled time and quell the urges that seek to destroy her. Wrap guardian angel wings around her to keep her safe through the night-time of her life. And then, when the night is done, make that radiant light to shine upon her to nourish her in all Your ways - the ways of love, righteousness and peace.  This we ask of You in the same hope and expectation as the woman did for a daughter possessed, the centurion did for his servant and all those that brought the sick, the maimed, the possessed and the diseased for your healing touch while you walked among us. Work with her a miracle for good (and all who suffer in the night-time) .  Make us all examples of your loving-kindness in this world. Help us in our lowly faith.  We know that you can do all things for those that believe and that with You nothing is impossible - and so, all of this we ask You in Your Holy Name, together with the Father who created all people in His likeness and the Holy Spirit who gives life to all. Forever and ever. Amen.     

 

 

 

Pray for me, a servant
Fr John Brian


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HEALING LIFE, DEEPENING FAITH,
ENRICHING PRACTICE, and REFRESHING SPIRIT

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"A Little Spiritual Help" is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group:
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Subscribe by email: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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This pastoral ministry is sponsored by Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish, Madison, Wisconsin ~ 608.242.4244 transfiguration@usa.com http://www.maruroopa.blogspot.com

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one way to support this effort is to buy books by Fr John Brian
"Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else" is the latest title - check it out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration or Amazon.com

 

Thieves and Disciples

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Thieves and Disciples

As Jesus Christ continues in His resurrection ministry, Fr John Brian talks about the resurrection teachings of Jesus Christ - from the end of the Gospel of Luke along the road to Emmaus. Only days before walking with two disciples, Jesus was crucified between two thieves and this brings us further along the resurrection path on a road less travelled. For elucidation, Hebrews, Chapter 11:3-6 is used in this sermon.

This sermon uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, May 2, 2010 by Fr John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"Thanks be to God for His incomparable gifts." 2 Corinthians 9:15

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
LISTEN ONLINE HERE: