Asking for the Intercessions of Mary

Asking for the Intercessions of Mary

At this time of year, many parishes and individuals, prayer groups and missions of the Orthodox faith ask for the intercessions of Mary, Virgin-Mother of God, birthgiver of Jesus Christ the Saviour.

Fr. John Brian gave a sermon after such prayers on asking for the intercession of St. Mary - what we ask for and why we ask her.

To some it may appear that Orthodox are praying to St. Mary, asking her to fulfill prayers, but in Orthodoxy we are praying that she will pray (or intercede) for us or act on our behalf. This is similar to asking an elder, monastic, priest or bishop for their prayers.

In this short sermon, Fr. John Brian clarifies this act of prayerful faith.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, August 26, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please pray for us and help us.

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A Transforming Way

A Transforming Way

"...Now that we are children of God, we do not know what will become..." I John 3:2

After receiving the visiting bishop's blessing, Fr. John Brian gave a short sermon on St. Mary and St. John's first epistle (especially chapter 3). Part of that epistle is an appointed reading for the Sunday after Assumption.

In this short and inspirational sermon, Fr. John Brian talks about change and the changes every Christian should anticipate. Then, he speaks to the idea that there is a gentle transformation that we do not, or rather cannot, know because it is becoming everything we were created to be.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, August 19, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please, as you are inspired, pray for us and help us.

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:

Doing It Anyway

Doing It Anyway

"Which of these sons does the will of his father?" Matthew 21

With a rhetorical question, Jesus gives a lesson on how to follow God's will. In this sermon, Fr John Brian discusses 'lip service" and doing the work anyway.

In Matthew Chapter 21, Jesus also tells his followers that tax collectors and harlots will get to heaven before those that say they believe. How are they going to get to heaven before us?

Fr. John Brian speaks to the presented issues of today's lesson in spiritual development.

May the Lord have mercy on us that we may be as willing to reach for the kingdom of God as the repent tax collector and harlot and enter the kingdom of heaven, according to Christ Jesus.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, August 12, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please, as you are inspired, pray for us and help us.

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:

HOW to be as children to enter the kingdom

HOW to be as children

"Except you become as little children you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18

In this sermon, Fr John Brian discusses the lesson of Jesus Christ in Matthew CHapter 18, where He is asked, who shall be greatest in heaven?"

Jesus answers in an enigmatic and often quoted phrase - except you become as one of these young ones."

Fr. John Brian speaks to several spiritual principles of children that every Christian should seek to develop to become spiritually mature. This may seem a paradox; to become as a child to become spiritually mature. In this sermon, three key attributes of children are discussed along with two characteristics that are vital to the spiritual life.

May the Lord have mercy on us that we may be as children and enter the kingdom of heaven.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, August 5, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please, as you are inspired, pray for us and help us.

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: