the great work not completed

the great work not completed

Beyond the deceptive superficiality of this modern world, the seeds of creation still grow.

Even though, in Holy Orthodoxy, we take time to remember all those that came before us from Adam even into this present age, we believe and act like we are on our own.

Fr John Brian uses a short passage from the Gospel of John, Chapter 4, to bring us toward embracing life beyond the superficial, "reaping that which you did not sew," harvesting and partaking of the fruits of life everlasting, that is spiritual nourishment.

Fr. John Brian gives another inspirational message of Orthodox Christian practical spirituality.

O Lord, help us to the great work, laying aside all selfishness and superficiality, reaping the fields that have been waiting for our labor white as snow. Let us share in the nourishment of the fruits of life everlasting even as we do the will of our Creator.

Please pray for Fr. John Brian who continues to encourage us in the continuing development of Christian spirituality.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, May 12, 2013 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

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

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truth and convenience

truth and convenience

The world of humankind is full of distractions, distortions and deceptions. Fr. John Brian gives an inspirational message of Orthodox Christian practical spirituality.

Using Chapter 4 of Ephesians, Fr. John Brian helps us "untwist" the distortions of this world so that we may not be alienated from the life of God.

O Lord, help us to lay aside the old human dramas so that we may embrace the new human way of Christ, full of light, love and life everlasting.

Please pray for Fr. John Brian who continues to encourage us in the continuing development of Christian spirituality .

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, May 12, 2013 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please pray 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
LISTEN ON-LINE HERE:

dying for believing

dying for believing

People are still dying for their faith in Christ. Jesus set the example. It is in dying that we are born into eternal life.

The challenge of modern martyrdom in placed firmly in the foreshadowing of the day of Hosanna. The ongoing violence and kidnapping of bishops in Syria is only the most recent.

So, if we are going to die for our faith, what is it that we actually believe? Is it worth dying for?

Fr John Brian delves into this important issue of Christian spiritual attainment.

Lord, give us spiritual integrity even as the martyrs.

Please pray for Fr. John Brian who continues to encourage us in continuing development of Christian spirituality .

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, April 28, 2013 by Fr. John-Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Please pray 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
LISTEN ON-LINE HERE:

different than ourselves

different than ourselves

One of the greatest challenges of our technological age is the problems of other-ness that drive isolation even in the most crowded of cities.

It was also one of the paradoxes of Christianity: that salvation for all came from the people separated.

Jesus Christ challenged the idea of entitlement among the chosen over and over again, calling Christians to non-just love of enemies and persecutors.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a principle teaching of Christianity.

Fr John Brian teaches from this parable the need for all of us to reconstruct our judgment of whom should be helped and by whom. We should all be good neighbors even as we are considered different. We should all emulate the good Samaritan, who was not one of the chosen.

Lord, give us spiritual strength even as the Samaritan.

Fr. John Brian continues to encourage us in continuing development of Christian spirituality .

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Malankara calendar and was given on Sunday, April 14, 2013 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
LISTEN ON-LINE HERE: