On the day of his commemoration (or Jan 3), we talk about a passage from the prophet Malachi (2:1-7)and its application to the modern Christian priesthood. We indeed are “messengers of the Lord Almighty,” but only if we are true priests. We talk about what a true priest is and what he does not. The Old Testament is not obsolete. We talk about how its description of the Jewish priesthood applies to the Christian priesthood. A priest's primary purpose is the same as anyone else’s purpose. He is born to know God. As he struggles to know God and follow the commandments, the grace of ordination helps him to help others to fulfill their purpose. If a priest is not struggling to live a robust inner life, he is almost useless.
Without kindness we cannot be saved. Love covers a multitude of sins. We must learn to love with intensity, with our blood.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrPuEhkljfs
Exegesis of the encounter of Nicodemus with Christ. Baptism, the Cross, Morality. John 3:1-21
The encounter of Nicodemus with Christ is absolutely necessary for a catechumen (and everyone else) to understand Christian baptism and its connection with the Cross. This encounter also contains much moral teaching and advice about life in general. We examine it, verse by verse. 2023-08-20
Partial Timestamps:
0:46 – 41:26 The conversation with Nicodemus: John 3:1-21
0:46 – 2:28 John 3:1-2 “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemos, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This one came to Jesus by night, and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that Thou hast come from God as a teacher; for no one is able to do these signs which Thou doest unless God be with him.”
2:28 John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Verily, verily, I say to thee, except one should be born again, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.””
2:36 – 3:04 Jesus answers questions differently than any other
40:35 – 41:37 John 3:19-21 “And this is the judgment, that the light hath come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. 20 “For everyone who practiseth bad things hateth the light and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved; 21 “but the one who doeth the truth cometh to the light, in order that his works might be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.”
41:37 – 43:24 John 3:22 “After these things Jesus came, and His disciples, to the Judæan land; and there He was spending time with them, and was baptizing.”
41:37 – 43:24 Jesus did not baptize(but his disciples did) – for a very important reason. The baptism of John, contrasted with Christian baptism
43:30 – 45:27 Question: Is baptism necessary for salvation?
45:30 – 50:38 Would you define what it means to “do things spiritually?” And also, how to approach any task or concern in life.
50:42 – 51:57 Will baptism make it easier to pray for people that are irritating?
54:05 – 59:38 (end) A little bit about Transfiguration. And facts abot the calendar and Transfiguration. Why is it celebrated in August?
Audio: http://www.orthodox.net/catechism/catechism_2023-08-20+john-chapter-3+baptism.mp3
Video: https://youtu.be/UcOX0PIKNEY
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcOX0PIKNEY
We teach from St Cyril of Jerusalem’s 3rd catechical homily: On Baptism. We add many things to complement his teaching. This is a good introduction to baptism.
Audio: http://www.orthodox.net/catechism/catechism_2023-07-09+cyril-jerusalem-homilies-03.mp3
Video: https://youtu.be/tjZoO2FGHZw
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjZoO2FGHZw
I lost a son, +Daniel, not yet 2 years ago (+06/1/2017, age 20). I have benefited because of the grief, which I still experience. There is a sculpture that I came across that demonstrates that a parent who loses a child has an emptiness that never is filled. This video is a respectful rebuttal. Grief has energy. It can burn out our insides and make us empty, or it can bring about wonderful new things. I try to explain how this has happened for me, because of grace and my effort! One of new and wonderful things that my grief has brought forth is my trip to Kenya, and my sure to be lifetime love and association with St Barnabas Orthodox Orphanage and School, in Kenya. Link: https://youtu.be/5bqvL8kOlmk
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bqvL8kOlmk
Is obedience to secular restrictions on churches during the Coronavirus pandemic denial of the Orthodox Christian faith? We discuss this important issue, and also why many secular people consider Christianity to be "non-essential" and that we should be more concerned about whether OUR lifestyle shows that Christianity is non-essential. In the discussion,we react to two recent videos,one by Fr Josiah Trenham, entitled: "Father 'Non-Essential'" and by Fr Peter Heers, entitled "The Coronavirus Narrative and Its Demonic Methodology"
YouTube:https://youtu.be/2LEY2xZOok4
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LEY2xZOok4
Recorded live at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney, Texas. Visit us online at www.orthodox.net
Commemorated today:
᛭ Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (60)
Readings:
Ephesians 4:1–6
Luke 10:25–37
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dxs6xt51cws
2. It was said of Abba John the Dwarf, that one day he said to his elder brother, 'I should like to be free of all care, like the angels, who do not work, but ceaselessly offer worship to God.' So, he took off his cloak and went away into the desert. After a week he came back to his brother. When he knocked on the door, he heard his brother say, before he opened it 'Who are you?' He said, 'I am John, your brother.' But he replied, 'John has become an angel, and hence- forth he is no longer among men.' Then the other begged him saying, 'It is I.' However, his brother did not let him in, but left him there in distress until morning. Then, opening the door, he said to him, 'You are a man and you must once again work in order to eat.' Then John made a prostration before him, saying, 'Forgive me.'
YouTube:https://youtu.be/sRczv9x4i7U
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orthodoxnet/videos/1742864949182225/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRczv9x4i7U
This amazing St. had in his heart to help save prostitutes. In doing so, he appeared to be frequent client! Of course, there was scandal concerning his behavior, but God’s providence arranged that his overseer was the Holy Patriarch John the Almsgiver, who ignored all complaints. What can we learn form Vitalis’ “crazy love”, and St John’s reaction?
YouTube: https://youtu.be/10fxlDzXS6A
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10fxlDzXS6A
Monster movie! Why should we pray for our enemies? Three reasons, but if you understand the first, you do not even need the other two, although you will likely start there.
https://youtu.be/NZcyLmwxUPU
https://www.facebook.com/orthodoxnet/videos/378701709483596/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZcyLmwxUPU