Thursday, December 27, 2012

Unplanting the Seeds of Discontent

Unplanting the Seeds of Discontent

End of I John Chapter 4

In the wake of a tragic mass killing of children in Connecticut, Fr. John-Brian gives a sermon on the problems in our society that allow such circumstances that grow from the seeds of discontent.

He speaks to the problems of "grievance collection" and how close any of us may be to becoming such a tragic figure.

The answer is in a few verses appointed for the Sunday before Nativity from the 4th Chapter of John's First Epistle. Fr. John Brian concludes with a homily on those verses to guide us through the dark times.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, December 23, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please pray for Fr. John Brian and for our mission and help us as you are able.

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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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Knowledge of Life Through Forgiveness

Knowledge of Life Through Forgiveness

Preparing for Holy Nativity
Zechariah Prophecy
end of Luke Chapter 1

Zechariah said, "and you shall give the knowledge of life through the forgiveness of sins."

I Peter 2:25 "...for all have gone astray like sheep."

The direct discussion of our human limitations and how we allow them to dominate our spiritual life; how we take comfort in living inside of limitations rather than go to the limit where we will meet God. Are we motivated to move beyond mistakes, failures and sins?

Through the mercy and kindness of God? perhaps.

Fr. John Brian also discusses the analogy that St. Paul uses in Galatians Chapter 4 to enhance our Orthodox Christian spirituality.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, December 9, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please 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:

Friday, December 07, 2012

How Love Dwells Within

How Love Dwells Within
Preparing for Holy Nativity
Mary Prophecy
Luke Chapter 1

Mary said, "He has filled the hungry with good things and has dismissed the rich, empty."

I John 3: "...how can the love of God dwell within him?"

The direct discussion of the problems of the rich and wealth as well as the poor and envy of wealth are discussed as a crucial part of Christian spiritual development in this commerce oriented materialistic time of year.

Fr. John Brian uses writings of St. John Chrysostom and 1 John chapter 3 to enhance gospel lessons from Luke.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, December 2, 2012 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please 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: