How to Know the Next Holy One

How to Know the Next Holy One

In the beginning of Chapter 6 of Mark's Gospel, none of Jesus' extended family can believe He is the Christ. So, if He was not recognized by His own village, how can we know a holy one?

Fr John Brian uses the Epistle readings from Corinthians and Thessalonians to look at this issue of appearance and craft trade (vocation) - "For they said, is this not the carpenter (son of a carpenter). How is it that He can know such things (of God and spirituality)?" Mark Chapter 6: 1-6

Then, Fr John Brian talks about how we fit.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, January 30 2011 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

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What Must I Do?

What Must I Do?

In the Gospel of John - Chapter 3,

Jesus replies: Except you be born again of water and the spirit, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Fr John Brian uses the Epistle reading from 2 Corinthians to help in understanding "what we must do."

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, January 23, 2011 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

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http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
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Nicodemus visits Jesus Christ and asks, What shall I do?

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Where Do You Live?

When Jesus Christ is being followed by Andrew before he called him, he turns and asks him: WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Andrew replies: Where do you live?

So, where does Christ reside? Where does he live? What does it mean to follow him? Some surprising answers from the scriptures are explored by Fr John Brian in this sermon that focuses on the last part of Chapter 1 of the Gospel of St. John and a few verses from Peter's epistle.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, January 16, 2011 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

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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Enlighten our minds - Epiphany Prayer

Enlighten our minds - Epiphany Prayer

A special sermon on the Holy Epiphany that focuses on the Sedro Prayer appointed for Epiphany.

Fr John Brian takes this opportunity to talk about the importance of the words and the teachings from these ancient prayers to help and aid us in our spiritual development.

EPIPHANY PRAYER
from the "Madedono: The Book of Church Festivals" (English 1984)

"Do You, even now, O Lord, Who have brought us to this hour, be with us and among us by driving away from our souls all the darkness of ignorance."

"Enlighten our minds by the rays of Your light, that we may be worthy to become children of light."

The full prayer can be read at the mission blog http://www.maruroopa.blogspot.com/

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, January 9, 2011 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

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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Nativity and Modern Martyrs

Nativity and Modern Martyrs

A special solemn sermon on the Holy Nativity (Old Calendar) that focuses on recent bombing at an Alexandria Coptic Church - which calls to mind the modern martyrs in Iraq, Ethiopia, and throughout the Middle East these last few years. As well as all those who left their homeland.

Fr John Brian takes this opportunity to talk about our Christan response and the response of some Egyptian Muslims.

He chose the epistle reading appointed for the day after Nativity which is for those Holy Innocents that were slain by King Herod: Romans 15:1-7

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the
Malankara Syrian lectionary (for this occassion) and was given on Thursday night, January 6, 2011 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

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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Godly New Year

Godly New Year

Every New Year's day should be blessed and should be taken as an opportunity to be with God, thanking Him for what is past and praying for His mercy in what is to come.

Fr John Brian takes this opportunity to give a sermon about the importance of a new year in Holy Orthodoxy and how we, as Orthodox Christians, should conduct ourselves, following the "great commandment" that is in the Gospel of John and in his First Epistle.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, January 2, 2011 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
Listen on-line here: