- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (Word DOC format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (HTML format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (Word DOC format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (HTML format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (HTML format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (HTML format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- 4th Sunday of Great Lent (mp3 format)
- The Healing of the Demoniac Son, as a Scriptural parable. (mp3 format)
- Answer to a critical question - how to learn to "get it". Healing of the Demoniac Son. 4th Sunday of Great Lent. (mp3 format)
Fourth Sunday of Great Lent
1999
Before Last Judgement
2004
2004
Demoniac Boy
2004
2004
2007-03-18
Realistic Hope
Mark 9:17-31
2008-04-06
Mark 9:17-31
2008-04-06
2009-03-29
Demoniac Boy
2010-03-14
2010-03-14
The Significance Of Fasting In The Struggle Against Fallen Spirits
By St Ignatius Brianchaninov
2011
Also in Format: Word DOC
SYNOPSIS:Homily by St Ignati Briachaninov: The Lord said to His Apostles about the evil spirits, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark. 9:29). Here is a new aspect of fasting! Fasting is acceptable to God when it is preceded by the great virtue of mercy; fasting prepares a reward in heaven when it is foreign to hypocrisy and vainglory; fasting works when it is joined with another great virtue - prayer.
How does it work? It not only tames the passions in the human body, but it enters into battle with the spirits of evil, and conquers them.
St Ignaty goes on to explain in great detail how fasting works and why we must fast, and what our disposition must be. This may be the most important text on fasting you will every read! Your battle against the spirits of the air is very weak unless you understand St Ignaty's words!
By St Ignatius Brianchaninov
2011
Also in Format: Word DOC
SYNOPSIS:Homily by St Ignati Briachaninov: The Lord said to His Apostles about the evil spirits, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark. 9:29). Here is a new aspect of fasting! Fasting is acceptable to God when it is preceded by the great virtue of mercy; fasting prepares a reward in heaven when it is foreign to hypocrisy and vainglory; fasting works when it is joined with another great virtue - prayer.
How does it work? It not only tames the passions in the human body, but it enters into battle with the spirits of evil, and conquers them.
St Ignaty goes on to explain in great detail how fasting works and why we must fast, and what our disposition must be. This may be the most important text on fasting you will every read! Your battle against the spirits of the air is very weak unless you understand St Ignaty's words!
Dark Sorrow Of Material Things
Sweetness Of Abstinence
2011-03-30
SYNOPSIS:A few words after Presanctified liturgy about the DOGMA regarding material things and attachment to them, referring to 3 stichera from the matins canon for St John Climacus. Our DOGMAS are not just about God, but some are strictly moral truths. Especially when we sing canons in honor of Saints, and in many Lenten canons, these truths are very apparent:
"Ascending from the dark sorrow of material things, O holy John, thou hast gone to dwell in spiritual light: give me light through thine intercessions to the Lord. "
"Suckled on the sweetness of abstinence, thou hast cast away the bitterness of sensual indulgence; and so, father, thou givest us a pleasure sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. "
"Ascending to the height of the virtues and rejecting the pleasures that creep upon the ground, O holy father, thou hast become the sweetness of salvation to thy flock. "
(all from the matins canon to St John Climacus, Ode 1)
Sweetness Of Abstinence
2011-03-30
SYNOPSIS:A few words after Presanctified liturgy about the DOGMA regarding material things and attachment to them, referring to 3 stichera from the matins canon for St John Climacus. Our DOGMAS are not just about God, but some are strictly moral truths. Especially when we sing canons in honor of Saints, and in many Lenten canons, these truths are very apparent:
"Ascending from the dark sorrow of material things, O holy John, thou hast gone to dwell in spiritual light: give me light through thine intercessions to the Lord. "
"Suckled on the sweetness of abstinence, thou hast cast away the bitterness of sensual indulgence; and so, father, thou givest us a pleasure sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. "
"Ascending to the height of the virtues and rejecting the pleasures that creep upon the ground, O holy father, thou hast become the sweetness of salvation to thy flock. "
(all from the matins canon to St John Climacus, Ode 1)
Scourged By The Whips Of Sin
Understanding Sin And Repentance
2011-04-02
SYNOPSIS:We must understand the nature and effect of sin. The Matins canon, especially, in the Triodion, describes this in many important ways. Sin is not so much things we do or do not do, as it is our condition - weakened and often estranged from God. Let us look at the Matins Canon for the 4th week of Great Lent as it continues the Lenten theme of exploring the parable of the prodigal son and understand about the "whips of sin", but looking at 3 stichera form the canon:
"My mind has been scourged by the whips of sin by wicked thieves and evil thoughts. Heal me, Christ my Savior, and save me for Thou art rich in mercy" (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)
"I have wasted my God-given life on the passions, O Master, and I am fiercely scourged in every part by my transgressions; but I turn to Thee for refuge and I pray: Have pity on me" (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 6)
"Scourging my mind with the passions, thieves have seized my wealth and left me as one dead, but take pity on me and save me O Lord. " (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)
Understanding Sin And Repentance
2011-04-02
SYNOPSIS:We must understand the nature and effect of sin. The Matins canon, especially, in the Triodion, describes this in many important ways. Sin is not so much things we do or do not do, as it is our condition - weakened and often estranged from God. Let us look at the Matins Canon for the 4th week of Great Lent as it continues the Lenten theme of exploring the parable of the prodigal son and understand about the "whips of sin", but looking at 3 stichera form the canon:
"My mind has been scourged by the whips of sin by wicked thieves and evil thoughts. Heal me, Christ my Savior, and save me for Thou art rich in mercy" (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)
"I have wasted my God-given life on the passions, O Master, and I am fiercely scourged in every part by my transgressions; but I turn to Thee for refuge and I pray: Have pity on me" (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 6)
"Scourging my mind with the passions, thieves have seized my wealth and left me as one dead, but take pity on me and save me O Lord. " (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)
What Does Fasting Do
Mark 9-17-31
2011-04-03
SYNOPSIS:Why do we fast? Few people understand that we fast because of a requirement of our nature and because of the nature of the demons. "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark. 9:29). Let us understand why we fast and put off all legalism concerning this essential practice.
Mark 9-17-31
2011-04-03
SYNOPSIS:Why do we fast? Few people understand that we fast because of a requirement of our nature and because of the nature of the demons. "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark. 9:29). Let us understand why we fast and put off all legalism concerning this essential practice.
Exorcism Of The Lunatic Son
If Thou Canst Believe All Things Are Possible To Him That Believeth
Mark 9-17-31
2012-03-25
Also in Format: Word DOC or mp3
If Thou Canst Believe All Things Are Possible To Him That Believeth
Mark 9-17-31
2012-03-25
Also in Format: Word DOC or mp3
See Then That Ye Walk Circumspectly Not As Fools But As Wise Redeeming The Time
Ephesians 5-9-19
2013-04-14
SYNOPSIS:On the Sunday for St John Climacus (of the Ladder), Ephesians 5:9-19 describes the process by which a person becomes perfected. This is not just for monks. Let's check ourselves: how much of our life is the pursuit of "goodness and righteousness and truth", how much are we "redeeming the time"?
Ephesians 5-9-19
2013-04-14
SYNOPSIS:On the Sunday for St John Climacus (of the Ladder), Ephesians 5:9-19 describes the process by which a person becomes perfected. This is not just for monks. Let's check ourselves: how much of our life is the pursuit of "goodness and righteousness and truth", how much are we "redeeming the time"?
If Thou Canst Believe All Things Are Possible To Him That Believeth
Mark 9-17-31
2014-03-30
SYNOPSIS:In the healing of the demoniac boy, context is important. The healing occurred immediately after the Transfiguration and the failure of the other disciples to cast out the demon. There is an important lesson for us. God is very near, even though we do not always (or even often) fell Him. Things can change in a moment. The Lord said to the man: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." How do we cultivate this belief? It is a very mysterious and holy thing, and required our effort, but only by God's great mercy will we have powerful, life changing belief.
Mark 9-17-31
2014-03-30
SYNOPSIS:In the healing of the demoniac boy, context is important. The healing occurred immediately after the Transfiguration and the failure of the other disciples to cast out the demon. There is an important lesson for us. God is very near, even though we do not always (or even often) fell Him. Things can change in a moment. The Lord said to the man: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." How do we cultivate this belief? It is a very mysterious and holy thing, and required our effort, but only by God's great mercy will we have powerful, life changing belief.
John Climacus
Mark 9:17-31
2016
SYNOPSIS:On the 4th Sunday of Great Lent, we read about the exorcism of the demoniac son. Although this is a historical event, it can also be very beneficial to read it like a Scriptural parable. It has very good news for us, but not pie in the sky good news. It tells us what we must do, and what God will do, honestly talks about the process, and that things are going to be alright, even though we do not have the power to do the stuff we must do. This homily was the best answer I could give to someone who said that everyone is tired and needs a "pep talk"
Mark 9:17-31
2016
SYNOPSIS:On the 4th Sunday of Great Lent, we read about the exorcism of the demoniac son. Although this is a historical event, it can also be very beneficial to read it like a Scriptural parable. It has very good news for us, but not pie in the sky good news. It tells us what we must do, and what God will do, honestly talks about the process, and that things are going to be alright, even though we do not have the power to do the stuff we must do. This homily was the best answer I could give to someone who said that everyone is tired and needs a "pep talk"
Mark 9:17-31
2018-03-18
SYNOPSIS:Why do we read the Gospel about the healing of the Demoniac son on the 4th Sunday of Great Lent? It is not about the story, but because the story occured as Jesus was going to Jerusalem for His passion. The disciples did not understand Jesus, even though He told them many times what was going to happen. We are like that too! Why is it that we do not understand and do basic and obvious things? This is a hard question to answer, but a more important question to answer is answered in this story - how are we going to start doing what is right and stop doing what is wrong?
2018-03-18
SYNOPSIS:Why do we read the Gospel about the healing of the Demoniac son on the 4th Sunday of Great Lent? It is not about the story, but because the story occured as Jesus was going to Jerusalem for His passion. The disciples did not understand Jesus, even though He told them many times what was going to happen. We are like that too! Why is it that we do not understand and do basic and obvious things? This is a hard question to answer, but a more important question to answer is answered in this story - how are we going to start doing what is right and stop doing what is wrong?
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