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The Healing of the Blind man – without courage there will never be healing.

Monday, May 21st, 2012

Synopsis: What is the most important part of the healing of the blind man story? It is undoubtedly the courage of the blind man and how because of his courage he was brought to full enlightenment and healing. Our healing in Christ will not proceed to completion without personal courage. It does not matter how talented, intelligent or knowledgeable you are, or whether you have more self control than most and your life is in good order or not – without personal courage and willingness to stand up and be a Christian in our post Christian age (a misnomer term, there has never been a "Christian" age, since the world has always been against Christ), you will not be healed of your passions and sins and achieve perfection. The dialogue of the blind man with the Pharisees of his age (every age has them), shows how we incrementally become wiser and sounder in soul as we react to whatever the world brings to is with courage, and with what we know at the time. This is an "every man" kind of story. The blind man had no special talent, nor did he have complete knowledge (his answers showed him growing in knowledge), but he was courageous, and because of this, he gained not only physical eyes, but also spiritual ones. Anyone who is tempted to cave in to the political correctness of this age, which demands certain ways of thinking, speaking and acting, needs to ponder the healing of the blind man in great detail.

More homilies on the 6th sunday of Pascha, The Sunday of the Blind man, are HERE

John 9:1-38 1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. 8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not. 13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. 17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

Healing of the Blind Man If the "LISTEN NOW" link does not work, copy this URL into your browser: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-06_2011-05-20+the-blind-man+courage-precedes-full-enlightenment_john9-1-38.m3u

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She left her waterpot! The extreme humility and faith of the Samaritan Woman.

Monday, May 14th, 2012

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Synopsis: The story of the woman at the well, St Photini (Svetlana) has an enormous amount of deep and important theology, but the most important part is the personality of the Samaritan woman must be understood an emulated to understand any of it. She was very humble; when the Lord exposed her sin, she stayede with Him to hear more. When she understood Him, she left her waterpot. We esplore these two actions. She was an extremist. We cannot be saved unless we are too.

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Two homilies on the 4th Sunday of Pascha. Faith must deal with despondency and the variable relationship of faith to miracles.

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Synopsis: The Healing of the Paralytic by the sheep's pool has many deep theological concepts in it, but none of this matters if we do not adopt the character and faith of the paralytic. We examine his patience and also his despondency. All true faith must battle with despondency. The paralytic and other examples during this Paschal period, such at the Apostle Thomas and Peter, and the Myrrh bearing women teach us this critical lesson.

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More text and audio homilies on the 4th Sunday of Pascha, the Paralytic are HERE

John 5:1-15 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.

If the "LISTEN NOW" link does not work, copy this URL into your browser: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-04_2012-05-06+paralytic-by-the-sheeps-pool+i-have-no-man_john5-1-15.m3u

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Synopsis: Exegesis of Acts 9:32-42, the reading for the 4th Sunday of Pascha. Two miracles of Peter. The variable relationship of faith to miracles.

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Acts 9:32-42 32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

If the "LISTEN NOW" link does not work, copy this URL into your browser: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-04_2012-05-05+peter-heals-aeneas-and-raises-tabitha+faith-and-miracles_acts9-32-42.m3u

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Posted in 4th Sunday of Pascha - The Paralytic, Audio homilies, Homilies | No Comments »

Just do the right thing. All the time. God will roll away the stone. Myrhbearing Women. Next text homily.

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

3rd Sunday of Pascha – The Myrrhbearing Women

Just do the right thing. All the time. God will roll away the stone.

Mark 15:43 – 16:8

2010

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen! Christos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!

Brothers and sisters, when we read the Scriptures, sometimes there must be detailed exegesis in order to really understand it, such as we say the Lord was the Bread from Heaven, or speaking about the Eucharist or the Beatitudes, or other places in the Scripture which are really theologically dense, and take a lot of study to understand.

And other times, like today, it's a story and we glean the characteristics of the people involved from what they did. Their actions show us their personalities, and teach us theology if we listen.

This is one of those times.

St Joseph of Arimathea and Nikodemus and the Myrhhbearing women at the cross http://www.orthodox.net/ikons/cross-joseph-and-nicodemus-01.jpg

This is the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women. We also celebrate Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who took down Christ from the Cross and buried Him in Joseph's tomb.

And we know the story.

The women, after the Sabbath had passed, early Sunday morning, at five or six, when the sun is coming up, and they are going to the tomb. And they wondered, who can roll away the stone from the tomb because it's very big. They don't know how they're going to do it, and yet they still go, and they were going with myrrh and aloes in order to anoint a dead man. And they went at a time when it was dangerous to go. They were approaching a tomb where there were armed soldiers who could have killed them and nobody would have thought anything of it. And yet they went.

It's interesting, if you look at the tense of the verb tense; it says he became bold^{^[1]}. He became bold and craved the body of Jesus from Pilate. He wasn't bold before, but he became bold.

This teaches us something, I think, if we listen. There are times when we are not very bold. But there are critical moments in our life; we have to stand up and we have to be bold. And God will help us with it.

We don't always get it right. Joseph didn't. Joseph heard all of His teachings. So did Nicodemus. Nicodemus, very early in the Gospel of John, saw Christ and He said, “you must be born again”, and Nicodemus didn't understand it. But they still followed Christ, and they were still in their positions of authority and they couldn't quite give them up because they weren't really sure. They loved Christ but they weren't so sure, not as sure as Peter and James and John and the rest, who had left all to follow Him[2]. And yet when it came to a critical moment in Joseph's life, he became bold, and he went in to get the body of Jesus.

The Gospel today also describes a critical moment in the lives of the Myrrhbearers. Their teacher, their friend, their son in one case, had given them so much hope, and then He died in a horrible way, and yet there was something they had to do. They had to go and anoint Him because of love. They were bold too.

To become bold doesn't mean you do something without being scared. It means you do something despite the fact that you're scared, or confused, or whatever.

That's what courage is. Courage is to do things regardless of how you feel, and that's what the Myrrhbearing Women did, and that's what Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus did, and that's what we must do. And there will be moments in our life when we have to be bold, not just one, but many moments.

There are critical moments in our life; we must stand up and be Christians, especially in a society now that is ceasing to be Christian in so many ways. Some would say, we should say it has ceased to be Christian. But certainly in so many ways, even when it calls itself Christian, it is a far thing from true Christianity, true morality. We call ourselves Christian but we must be true, so that takes courage.

So there are critical moments in your life that will happen. They will happen again and again. If you do not notice them, if you have not noticed them, then you have already lost because I tell you, they've happened. In the work place, with friends, with family, they happen, where you have to be bold, and you have to stand up for truth. Perhaps you will shake a little bit in your boots, but you must stand up for truth just as the Myrrhbearers did.

And also, it doesn't matter, when you stand up for this truth, whether you deem it possible or not or that there are going to be good or bad consequences from what you do. Really, you just do what's right. That's a good slogan, if you will, or a good way of life.

Just do the right thing. All the time.

Or, shall we say, what you think is right. Because the Myrrhbearers thought they were doing the right thing, or they were trying to do something that was impossible. They were trying to anoint a dead Man when actually He was alive. But God counts it towards their righteousness because of their hearts. So we must do what is right, even when it's difficult.

There are a lot of critical moments when you must do what's right and you don't see that a good consequence is going to come, or perhaps you don't see that anything good is going to happen, or perhaps you think maybe nothing is going to change. I have that temptation all the time. So what? Serving Vespers, is anything really going to change? Yes, a lot is going to change. I know that in my heart. But my head doesn't always feel it. And since I am human, I think I know something about you guys since you're human and you feel the same thing sometimes.

So the women go to the tomb thinking, who is going to roll away the stone, a gigantic stone in front of the tomb with large guards in front of the tomb with swords. How in the world were they going to get in the tomb? They had no idea, no idea at all. Someone might say that was a fool's errand that they hadn't figured out what to do. But they knew it was right and they just did it.

That's how we should do things. I'm not saying we shouldn't plan our lives. I'm not saying we shouldn't plan when we want to do something that's good and decide how we are going to do it. Absolutely. But there's a certain point in your life where you might say I'm going to do what's right no matter what the consequences are or no matter how we are even going to do it.

To be honest with you, my mind is really quite a bit preoccupied right now, trying to get into the temple^{^[3]}. In many ways, the temple has had big stones around it. Mike and I were just talking yesterday. I don't know if you know this. We had money with a bank and we were going to take the money out so that it would be available so that we can purchase the land. This was several years ago. We didn't know it, but this was just before a financial crisis in which the money that we had in that money market would have been worth less than 25 percent of its value. We took it out and two weeks later, poof! God guided us. We didn't know it at the time. We would have been destitute, but it didn't happen.

So now, we go through with a lot of difficulties and, really, some real big difficulties at the end. But if any of you are runners – some of us are – you know, the littlest hill seems really, really, really big at the end of your run.

So we're at the end, and there are some little hills, but they seem really, really big, but God will help us. Just applying what these people did in this Gospel. Do what's right. We pray, we fast, we struggle, and God will help us.

Someone is going to roll away the stone. I'm not sure how, but it's going to happen. I think that's the way we need to live our lives. And the impossible becomes possible.

Christianity is all about the impossible being made possible. God says that we are to be perfect. It's not an idle command. This is what we are to become: Perfect. It doesn't seem very possible, not when I take stock of my life, and yet it is happening; that stone is being rolled away right now.

So we must do what's right. We must look for critical moments in our life and just do what's right, no matter how hard it seems. No matter how impossible it seems. No matter whether it seems like it's going to have good consequences or bad.

Sometimes I'm speaking of actual critical moments where there is something you must do and it could have a good result or a bad result and you don't know what's going to happen. For the most part in our life, we must just do what's right.

We must pray; we must fast; we must struggle even though we don't feel or see the results from this^{^[4]}.

If you're a Christian, you know the results are happening, but you don't really see them – sort of like a flower opening. You don't see it open and yet, in a day or two, it has bloomed. That's what the Christian life is like. We don't see our flower opening. We don't see our stone being rolled away, and yet it gets rolled away.

There's another thing that I gleaned from the lives from this story about the Myrrhbearers. So they go to the tomb. Picture yourself. You're going to the tomb; you're scared half to death because this is dangerous what you're doing. You can go to the soldiers and they might just kill you. And so you go, not knowing how you're going to get past the soldiers, how you're going to get into the tomb. And then the soldiers are gone or laying about as stupefied, terrified men, the stone has been rolled away and you speak to an angel[5]. What an amazing thing.

Now, if this was a Hollywood movie then suddenly they would be so filled with joy and be singing and dancing. That's not how it happened, is it? They were afraid. They were confused. It took multiple times of the Lord appearing on that day to really have people really understand anything, and Thomas didn't understand for eight days.

So God reveals things to us but we don't get it. God's grace is present, working in us now, but we don't completely see it. We are like these women. He's risen; He's not here. But we're confused. Maybe afraid, maybe despondent, whatever human emotion or failing you want to name. And yet God is working in us. God is here. God is present. God lives within us. But we don't apprehend it. It's really a deep mystery why we don't. But even in the midst of that, eventually we have become aware of what God has revealed.

This is one of the many stories in the Gospel that shows our life in microcosm. It's not just a story of people going to a tomb and the tomb being empty. This is a story of our soul's journey in life, through difficulty, through things that make us afraid, make us confused- trying to do the right thing, not knowing exactly how to get it done. And then the tomb is opened. We still don't quite understand, but we will. We will understand. This is our life. This is why these stories have been preserved, because they describe us. They describe the human soul. They describe the human need for God and how we can fulfill that need.

All of us are on the journey to the tomb – not knowing exactly how we're going to get the stone rolled away or how we're going to deal with the guards.

If you want to make the guards a metaphor, they can be our passions or the world or anything else. The stone can be our hardheartedness, the deadness inside us, our own weaknesses and passions that make it so difficult for us to do well. All we know is that we look through a glass darkly^{^[6]}.

We will see face-to-face, just like these Myrrhbearers did. All we need to do is just keep going, keep walking to the tomb and believing that God will roll away the stone. He will; He's guaranteed it. I think you feel it in your heart. But if you're like me and I know you are, sometimes you don't feel it in your head. That's when you've just got to keep walking, one foot in front of the other, praying, fasting, struggling, doing what's right, trying to find out what's right, looking for those moments when you really must stand up and be a Christian, when there's a cross to be paid for it. And then God will help you. And you will get to the tomb and it will be opened. That's the Christian life. May God help us to live it. Amen.

Priest Seraphim Holland 2010

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[1] It is really important to read a translation that understands verb tenses and other aspects of Greek grammar. All the paraphrasements are useless for this, and they are tainted by a Protestant mindset in most cases. A good article about this is at: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/10/holy-scripture-in-orthodox-church.html. Most English translations get this verb tense wrong. Even the generally at least reasonably accurate King James version has “Joseph boldly…”, when the actual verb tense is “became bold”.

[2] Matthew 4:18-22 KJV “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. (19) And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (20) And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. (21) And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. (22) And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.”

[3] We were building our temple in McKinney at the time, and had many financial setbacks and difficulties with the city.

[4] I have had the unpleasant experience many times of seeing those indoctrinated with the modern reformers heresies considering this to be “works”. We truly use the same words, but speak a different language. In what important endeavor, can we make progress without effort? (None).

[5] The Gospels accounts indicate that there were multiple visits by different groups of people to the tomb. Each describes slightly different details.

For instance, in Mathew, the visit by Mary Magdalene and the Theotokos is described as follows, and shows that they saw the stone rolled away, and the guards “as dead men”:

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: (4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” (Mat 28:1-4 KJV)

St Mark’s gospel does not mention any guards:

“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (2) And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. (3) And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? (4) And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. (5) And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.” (Mar 16:1-5)

St Luke’s gospels describes yet another visitation, where the stone is clearly already rolled away (and appears to include Joseph and Nikodemus in the party):

“And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. (50) And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counselor; and he was a good man, and a just: (51) (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. (52) This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. (53) And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. (54) And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. (55) And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. (56) And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. (24:1) Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (2) And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. (3) And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.”

(Luke 23:49-24:4)

[6] 1Corinthians13:12 KJV “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

Posted in 3rd Sunday of Pascha - The Holy Myrhhbearers, Audio homilies, Homilies | No Comments »

“Having become bold” – What made Joseph, Nicodemus and the Myrhhbearers bold?

Monday, April 30th, 2012

Joseph and Nikodemus taking Jesus down from the cross LISTEN NOW

Synopsis: The Scriptures tell us that Joseph "became bold" and asked for the body of Jesus from Pilate. He did a dangerous thing, which would likely cost him his life, as did the Holy Myrhhbearers when they went to the tomb on the day of the resurrection, to anoint a dead man. Why did they become bold? This is very important! They did not quite " get things right", since Jesus was not dead, so it is not so important that we get everything right and understand everything, but we must &become bold", because of love, and God will cause everything to work to the good. Also, at the beginning, an instruction about praying for people during the most sacred part of the Divine Liturgy, which is an obligation for all Orthodox Christians, and not only the clergy.

More homilies on theSunday of the Myrhhbearing Women are HERE

Holy Myrhbearers at the tomb with the angel

Mark 15:43-16:8 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. 1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

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Posted in 3rd Sunday of Pascha - The Holy Myrhhbearers, Audio homilies, Homilies | 1 Comment »

Exegesis of the 3rd Matins Gospel, Mark 16:9-20, and chronology of the day of the resurrection.

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

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Synopsis: Exegesis of the 3rd Matins Gospel, Mark 16:9-20, and chronology of the day of the resurrection. The most important points are the spiritual ones – the resurrection was not witnessed by anyone. What does that mean? A lot!

More homilies on the MATINS Gospels are HERE

Mark 16:9-20 9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

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Is a liberal seminary student as smart as a little girl! No! Children’s sermon on John 5:24-30 and Christology.

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

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Synopsis: A children's sermon on John 5:24-30, and important Christology that 7, 5 and 4 years olds know and liberal seminary students do not!

John 5:24-30 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

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Why are the altar doors open on Pascha? When are they closed and what does it mean?

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

Why are the altar doors open on Pascha?

When are they closed and what does it mean?

2nd Sunday of Pascha; Thomas Sunday

2011

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

As you can see, the doors are now closed. The doors were open for all of Bright Week, from the time of Pascha, all the way until we sang the first Sticheron of Great Vespers for St. Thomas Sunday. It happens to be in the first tone. It's from the Octoechos, so we would sing this every eight weeks we would sing this.

We sang "When the doors were shut," and then we shut the doors. Father Nicholas and I were a little bit tardy. It actually was on the next one that we shut them, but the meaning is still the same.

"When the doors were shut and the disciples were gathered together, Thou didst suddenly enter in, O our almighty Jesus our God, and standing in their midst and granting them peace Thou didst fill them with the Holy Spirit and didst command them to wait and in no wise to depart from Jerusalem until they were invested with power from on high. Wherefore we cry out to Thee, O our Enlightenment, Resurrection and Peace, glory be to Thee."

There's actually two different usages, the one that I had learned before was to shut the royal doors before Vespers begins on Saturday night. But Vladyka Peter told me about what they do, and I find it to be very meaningful, that when we say "when the doors were shut" then we shut them at Vespers. And since Vespers is a transition from the previous day to the next, it's appropriate at that time.

Now what does it mean for the doors to be shut? Well, what does it mean for them to be open? Normally they're shut. Why were they open for Pascha? They are open because it is a sign of God's grace overflowing and filling us. Really, all things are made new on Pascha, and God's grace is apparent to all.

Now, there's an unfortunate fact of our human nature, and that is, if we are not careful, if we stop struggle for a period of time, we become lazy and we become forgetful and we can fall into despondency and all manner of sins. It's not because God will not help us if we do not struggle. It is because our nature is such that we need to struggle. It's just human nature. When you stop struggle, you go backwards, not forwards.

So the doors are open for all of Pascha. We don't fast for all of the Paschal Bright Week. And then the doors are closed. And we return to normal fasting as of tomorrow or the next day, really, Monday, because then we will have normal fasting rules from then on. So Wednesdays and Fridays we won't eat meat and cheese and eggs, except we will be able to have wine and oil throughout all of Pascha. This still shows something of the Paschal joy.

All of these things are not just minutia of rules, but they are all things that should remind us about ourselves and about God. When the doors are open, we feel the Paschal joy. When they are closed, we realize this is because of us, because we get lazy and because without struggle we will fall away from God.

And also it means another thing, another tragic thing. But this tragedy can be rectified. It is rectified by the Resurrection of the God-Man Jesus Christ. And that tragedy is that we cannot receive all of the Grace of God that He wishes to give us. We're too weak for it. It is as if we have weak eyes and we go out into the sun and we must close our eyes or shield them because it is too bright. The Grace of God is too bright, too holy for us because we are not holy. But over time we become capable of having all of the Grace of God that He wishes to give us and containing it in ourselves.

But now we are not ready. So the doors are closed. It's always kind of a sad time for me but a very instructive time. I'm not ready for all of the Grace of God that He wants to give me. Neither are you. But we will become ready if we struggle, if we pray to God, if we fast at the appointed times and pray at the appointed times. Not because there are ten rules that we need to follow or ten thousand, but because of our desire for knowing God. Then, yes, we will become perfected, and the doors will always be open in the Kingdom.

May God bless you and help you.

The blessing of the Lord be upon you through His grace and love for mankind always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest Seraphim Holland 2011

Transcribed by the hand of Helen; May God save her and her loved ones.

This and other Orthodox materials are available in from:

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas

· Mailing Address: Box 37, McKinney, TX 75070

· Rectory Phone: 972/529-2754

· Email: seraphim@orthodox.net

· Web Page: http://www.orthodox.net

· Redeeming the Time Blog: http://www.orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/

This homily is at:

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-02_2011-04-30+why-are-the-altar-doors-open-on-pascha+when-are-they-closed-what-does-it-mean.html

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-02_2011-04-30+why-are-the-altar-doors-open-on-pascha+when-are-they-closed-what-does-it-mean.doc

AUDIO: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-02_2011-04-30+why-are-the-altar-doors-open-on-pascha+when-are-they-closed-what-does-it-mean.mp3

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The core teaching on the Sunday of Thomas: always stay close to Christ no matter what the understanding says, because of love.

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

Appearances after the Resurrection as depicted in the Basilica di San Marco in Venice, Italy. The scroll that St. Thomas holds reads: "My Lord and my God." To the left, St. Mary Magdalene and another of the Myrrhbearing women fall down in worship of the Resurrected Christ. ? at Piazza San http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holy-Cross-Orthodox-Monastery/79944443582rco, Venice. source:

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Synopsis: The story of the "unbelieving disbelief" of Thomas, always read on the Sunday after Pascha, and also several other times during the year has one core message that applies to every human being. We look at this, and the only reason Thomas stayed with the Apostles through the eighth day, when He saw Christ – love. Without love, and the actions of Thomas replicated in *our* lives the resurrection will be of no good effect for us. the Christology and theology in this selection is deep and important, but the example which we must learn is of even higher importance.

More homilies (audio, text,video) on THOMAS SUNDAY are HERE

John 20:19-31 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

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Posted in 2nd Sunday of Pascha - St Thomas Sunday, Audio homilies, Homilies, Pascha:Sundays of | No Comments »

Impious Judas with avaricious thoughts … falls away from the light and accepts the darkness. A warning to us and a way to avoid losing ourselves.. Great Tuesday 2012

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

Synopsis: Six and a half important minutes using Judas as an example to teach us how not to "accept the darkness" Commentary on the Sessional Hymn from Great Tuesday Matins:

"Impious Judas with avaricious thoughts plots against the Master, / and ponders how he will betray Him. /He falls away from the light and accepts the darkness; / he agrees upon the payment and sells Him that is above all price; / and as the reward for his actions, in his misery / he receives a hangman's noose and death in agony. / O Christ our God, deliver us from such a fate as his, // and grant remission of sins to those who celebrate with love Thy most pure Passion."

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More homilies on Holy Week are HERE

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There is another homily on this same sessional hymn that is similar but a little different. This is such an important topic that I feel the repitition is worthwhile. It is also in Text form:

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/holy-week-day-02_2011-04-18+judas-with-avaricious-thoughts-accepts-the-darkness+the-progression-of-sin-into-self-imposed-slavery.html

http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/holy-week-day-02_2011-04-18+judas-with-avaricious-thoughts-accepts-the-darkness+the-progression-of-sin-into-self-imposed-slavery.doc

AUDIO: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/holy-week-day-02_2011-04-18+judas-with-avaricious-thoughts-accepts-the-darkness+the-progression-of-sin-into-self-imposed-slavery.mp3

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Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

Archive for the ‘Audio homilies’ Category

The Healing of the Blind man – without courage there will never be healing.

She left her waterpot! The extreme humility and faith of the Samaritan Woman.

Two homilies on the 4th Sunday of Pascha. Faith must deal with despondency and the variable relationship of faith to miracles.

Just do the right thing. All the time. God will roll away the stone. Myrhbearing Women. Next text homily.

“Having become bold” – What made Joseph, Nicodemus and the Myrhhbearers bold?

Exegesis of the 3rd Matins Gospel, Mark 16:9-20, and chronology of the day of the resurrection.

Is a liberal seminary student as smart as a little girl! No! Children’s sermon on John 5:24-30 and Christology.

Why are the altar doors open on Pascha? When are they closed and what does it mean?

The core teaching on the Sunday of Thomas: always stay close to Christ no matter what the understanding says, because of love.

Impious Judas with avaricious thoughts … falls away from the light and accepts the darkness. A warning to us and a way to avoid losing ourselves.. Great Tuesday 2012

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