Ready for Christian Purpose

Ready for Christian Purpose

As we get ready for the Feast of Feasts, the Day of all Days, the day that our entire relationship with the created universe changed - when Jesus Christ rises from the dead.

We prepare with a Great Fast at Lent. And we prepare for this Great Fast with a smaller fast, examining the mission and purpose that God gave us.

In this examination, inwardlly, we are asked to come to terms with our willingness to work in God's fields. We also come to terms with how we do not trust God.

It is the Prophet Jonah and the scripture story that is our guide and example for the Great Fast.

Fr. John-Brian speaks to the guidance, example and spiritual encouragement of Jonah in this short inspirational sermon.

Please pray for Fr. John Brian who remains committed to us in the continuing development of Christian Spirituality.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Orthodox calendar and was given on Sunday, February 9, 2014 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:

Honorable Vessels and the Song of Simeon

Honorable Vessels and the Song of Simeon

Simeon is a prophet who is a witness of Jesus as messiah, the savior of all. He was told by God that he would not die until he saw the messiah.

When he saw the baby Jesus presented in the temple, he knew he could die. And he sang a song - praising God as he let go of this life for the life to come. God's will is fulfilled.

Sometimes he is pictured bearing a candle in each hand, one to be a light for Israel and the other to illuminate the Gentiles. So, we bless candles on this day of Christ's presentation in the temple.

In the Second Epistle to Timothy, St. Paul talks about different vessels that are used in a household. Fr. John Brian uses this analogy to emphasize our spiritual need to embrace the way God made us - with three clear characteristics to be of purpose, as an honorable vessel.

Fr. John-Brian speaks to this blessing and this illumination in this short inspirational sermon.

Please pray for Fr. John Brian who remains committed to us in the continuing development of Christian Spirituality.

This sermon uses and refers to scripture readings appointed by the Syrian Orthodox calendar and was given on Sunday, February 2, 2014 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:

Illumination - The Gift of Timket

Illumination - The Gift of Timket

Timket is Ge'ez (the Ethiopian liturgical language) for Epiphany.

The Baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist is a seminal event in Christianity. It is the event that ends the Old Testament.

In Ethiopian tradition, it is the feast of the Ark of the Covenant that prefigured the appearance of the Trinity at the Baptism - the Illumination of the Word by the descent of the Holy Spirit as a dove (which links this to the Ark of Noah).

At this festival, the Ark (or the representation of the Ark) is carried forth to the place where the waters are blessed.

Fr. John-Brian speaks to this blessing and this illumination in this short inspriational sermon.

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 Orthodox calendar and was given on Sunday, January 19, 2014 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:

Living in the Cold and Dark

Living in the Cold and Dark

Sometimes we underestimate to the power of the world arounds us - the powerful influence of cold and dark. Through human ingenuity and practical application of the created laws of nature, we are able to combat both of the cold and the dark with heat and electricity. However, not everyone benefits.

In the opening of John's Gospel and his First Epistle, there is discussion of darkness and light. There is a symbolic understanding of cold and dark as applied to our awareness in consciousness and our moral conscience, our inner guidance system.

Fr John Brian talks about these opposing forces in our spiritual development.

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 Orthodox calendar and was given on Sunday, January 5, 2014 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: