"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your… Continue reading Where thieves break through and steal. Our A/C has been stolen.
Orthodoxy and Mission work – St Justin Popovich
St Justin Popovich, recently glorified by the Church of Serbia, is one of my favorite authors. He would not be among the favorites of many Orthodox, because he is blunt and truthful. He addresses here Missionary work. I have had discussions about this in the parish before, and I present his words here because they are provocative, and TRUE. So much that passes for missionary work and its sister “ecumenical dialogue” is insipid and lifeless because it is not ascetical (and therefore, cannot be truthful, because it cannot not know the truth).
Like any quote, it cannot address all aspects of a subject, but every word St Justin speaks should be taken to heart. I hope that some dialogue will result because of this post.
Sunday of the Blind Man. There is no salvation without good character. There is no salvation without courage.
Sunday of the Blind Man There is no salvation without good character. There is no salvation without courage. John 9:1-38 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Brothers and sisters, during this Paschal season the Gospels have taught about enlightenment and the process… Continue reading Sunday of the Blind Man. There is no salvation without good character. There is no salvation without courage.
Homily:Sunday of the Blind Man. 2010. Audio.
LISTEN NOW If the "LISTEN NOW" link does not work, copy this URL into your browser: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-06_2010-05-09+the-blind-man.m3u If this file does not work for you, try the direct link to the actual mp3 file:http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/pascha-sunday-06_2010-05-09+the-blind-man.mp3 RSS feed of Sunday and some weekday homilies:http://feeds.feedburner.com/OrthodoxChristianSermonsOnTheGospelsEpistlesAndOtherTopics Archive of Audio and text homilies:http://www.orthodox.net/sermons All homilies on the Sunday of the… Continue reading Homily:Sunday of the Blind Man. 2010. Audio.
Homilies about the Sunday of the Blind Man.
All these homilies are in audio, with one in video. Recently an angel has volunteered to start transcibing homilies, so God willing, more will appear in text form.
Questions about the Sunday of the Blind Man
A few of the questions:
Why was the man born blind? The scripture mentions two possibilities.
What is the tradition concerning the “eyes” of the man born blind?
Many of Christ’s healings recounted in the Scriptures consists of TWO healings, sometimes in a different order. What are these, in general terms? Describe these two healings of the blind man, in the order they occurred. Give at least one other example of a “double healing”.
Why were the Jews upset about the healing of the blind man? What were the stated reasons, and what were the real reasons?
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The healing of the blind man shows in a striking way that God gradually illumines a soul. This event was recorded for our benefit, and together with many other events and recountings, helps us to see the diverse manner in which Christ heals and illumines a soul, and also serves as an instruction to us, who are also being gradually illumined, more or less according to our reaction to God’s grace.
The illumination of the soul has been a constant theme since Pascha. Describe at lease three other examples of this most important action of the grace of God, which the church has recently contemplated. What may these recountings teach us?
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The trip of the blind man to the pool of Siloam cannot be overlooked, as it is very instructive to us. What is this trip a model for? Describe the trip, and don’t be so laconic! We must understand the difficulty of this trip, if we are to benefit from it.
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Jesus said to His disciples, after they asked him about the blind man: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” ((John 9:4)
What is the meaning?
Fifth Monday of Pascha. John 8:42-51
The Church Lectionary.
The Pedagogical services – Matins and Vespers.
On being called a Samaritan.
Fifth Monday of Pascha. John 8:42-51
On the day after we have read about Holy Equal to the Apostles, Photini, the Samaritan woman, the Gospel selection has the Jews calling the Lord a Samaritan, and demon-possessed.
They did not know what they were talking about! The proud, the jealous (a child of pride), the religious (or irreligious) elite – they never know what they are talking about. The Lord took their characterization and turned it on its head, in the parable about the Good Samaritan, where He is the Samaritan!
A few thoughts about this reading and the place it holds in the church calendar. …
The Samaritan woman teaches us what we MUST do to receive the Living Water. Audio Homily 2010.
SYNOPSIS:The story of the woman at the well, the Samaritan woman, Photini, must be understood in a historical, theological, mystical and practical context. She said "the well is deep", and this story can be discussed from many perspectives, many of which are, alas, unintelligible to most because of their low loevel of theological knowledge and… Continue reading The Samaritan woman teaches us what we MUST do to receive the Living Water. Audio Homily 2010.
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman. Fifth Sunday Of Pascha. The conversation of Christ with the soul
Today we are privileged to witness a holy conversation. This conversation is not just between Christ and a woman. It is between Christ and the soul. This is what we are privileged to see: God opening a window for us to look through, to see how the soul reacts, how it grows, how it learns, and how He enlightens it. …
The Samaritan Woman – Questions and answers
Who was the Samaritan woman? Tell about her life after meeting Jesus?
Who were the Samaritans? Describe their religion and relationship with the Jews.
What time did Jesus meet the Samaritan woman at the well? Is there anything odd about this time? Why do you think she drew water at time?
What 2 revolutionary things did Jesus do by even talking to the Samaritan woman? The proud Pharisees would have judged Him on at least two accounts.
Water plays a big role in the story of the Samaritan woman. Cite at least 5 other places where water is used to describe or point to our salvation.
In this case, Christ said to her:
“Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: {14} But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14)
What is the meaning of “water” in this context?
There was a significant prophesy concerning salvation which Jesus made when He spoke to the Samaritan woman. What was it? Approximate when it was understood by the entire church to be fulfilled (or being fulfilled)?
The conversation between Christ and the Samaritan woman mystically is actually another conversation between what 2 parties?
Compare and contrast the reaction of the Samaritan woman and townspeople and the townspeople in the region of the Gadarenes when Jesus visited them.