Be Transfigured - Live a New Life in Christ

[Иван Ивковић]

Do You Love Your Friends Enough?

 

On the Second Sunday of Great Lent we hear of a paralytic who had four friends who loved him enough to not give up trying to get him into the presence of the Grace of God. When Jesus saw THEIR faith, the Gospel says He turned to the paralytic and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” How much do you love your friends? Do you love them enough to never give up trying to bring them to encounter the Grace of God in His Church? Do you love them enough to bring them to Christ in His Church so they can hear the words, “Your sins are forgiven?” The Uncreated Energy of God is present in His Grace in the Holy Sacraments of the Church. If we truly loved our friends enough, our Churches would be filled to capacity with those seeking a real encounter with the Grace of God. Our friends would hear the words, “Your sins are forgiven.”

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Is Our Lenten Struggle Worth It?

 

Half-way through Great Lent, we are tired, hungry and a bit grumpy, and the Church encourages us to keep up the struggle if we desire to be with God in Heaven. We are all willing to struggle, sacrifice and work hard for something which we desire. Do you desire to be with God in heaven? The Way of the Christian is the way of the Cross, IF we desire God. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34) Our Great Lenten struggle isn’t forced upon us by God as punishment, but an offering to help us follow Christ. So, is our Lenten struggle worth it? It is, if you desire to be with God in heaven. It’s your choice.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

It Begins with Renouncing the World

 

A holy man was asked to write down some advice about how to get to heaven. What resulted was a “book” we now know as “The Ladder of Divine Ascent” and has become a spiritual classic within the Orthodox Church. There are thirty chapters that build the ladder to heaven, but it is the first step that makes all the difference. It begins with renouncing the world.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Repentance and Humility; the keys which unlock the Gates of Heaven

 

The final Sunday of Great Lent, the Church urges us on further toward repentance and humility on the Sunday of Mary of Egypt. On this day the Church directs our attention to the total and complete humility and repentance of a woman who had been consumed by sin. While at the “height” of a quite successful “career” of prostitution, she was called by God in a unique way. According to the Tradition of the Church, she was attempting to enter the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem with a group of men she had been seducing. An unknown force kept her from entering the Sacred Church, which she interpreted as a sign from God. She made a vow to the Theotokos that if she was allowed to enter the Church and venerate the Life-Giving Cross of Our Lord, she would renounce the world and live in total repentance. She spent the remaining forty-seven years of her life alone in the desert.

 

On this day we also hear the Lord challenge his disciples to life of humble service. After the disciples were found arguing about who would be greater in God’s Kingdom, Jesus said, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” (Mark 10.42-44)

 

These are two great lessons of humility and repentance as we approach the final days of Great Lent. Don’t waste another day. Take full advantage of the days you have remaining for repentance and practice humility. These keys will unlock the gates of heaven and you will be welcomed into the banquet with honor.

[Иван Ивковић]

Humility & Repentance

 

On the final Sunday of Great Lent, the Church makes one final plea for us to look into our hearts with Christian humility to see our sinful ways. Saint Mary of Egypt was stopped from venerating the Holy Cross of Christ because of her sinful life. The Disciples were prideful and seeking after honor, when God revealed their hearts. It doesn’t matter who we might be, in our hearts we know how far away from God we really live. Saint Mary of Egypt and the Holy Apostles, after having their hearts revealed, lived a life of total repentance. Only once we have seen our hearts, can we truly repent and live with God in Heaven. If we desire to live with God, it will require humility and repentance – you can’t have one without the other.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

What king do you seek?

 

Holy Week is a chance to respond to this very important question. Many of the Jews were seeking a military king who would rescue them from the Romans. Many of us seek a king who will force others to believe and act as WE think they should. Christ is not this sort of king. Christ is the King of Peace. He came to walk with us in our battle against sin. He came to walk with us in our struggle. When the Jews realized Jesus was not THEIR sort of king, they turned their back on Him. What will you do when you realize He is not YOUR sort of king? What sort of king do you seek?

 

 

[Иван Ивковић]

God Provides What We Lack

 

When it comes to our relationship with God, we each lack something. It may be courage, faith, strength, or any number of obstacles that keep us from encountering God. Just as God provided for the Myrrh-Bearing Women to anoint the Body of Jesus by rolling away the stone, God will provide what we lack so that we can meet Him. The Myrrh-Bearing Women brought spices and were prepared to meet Jesus, and trusted that God would provide what they lacked. When we bring what we have to offer, God will complete what we need and provide what we lack, so that we can go out to meet Him. What do you lack? Have enough courage to bring “to the table” what you are able, and God will provide what you lack so that you can meet Him.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Behold The Man

 

Many years before an unknown paralytic was healed by Jesus Christ, God told us through His Prophets that He would provide a Man who would arise from below the horizon to save us. On the Fourth Sunday of Pascha, the Church reminds us, through the Gospel of John that God has always planned to save those of us patient enough to endure until He comes. He came, He died and was buried, but He rose from the dead, and life rules eternally. And now...we can be healed.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Holy Motherhood

 

Mothers’ Day is a day to honor our mothers, those holy women who gave us life. This week’s episode of Be Transfigured in dedicated to honoring Holy Motherhood. Holy Motherhood is different than birds caring for chicks in their nests. Holy Motherhood doesn’t end with mere physical labor. Holy Motherhood includes bringing us to know Jesus Christ. Holy Motherhood teaches us to open our hearts to Him, and allow His warmth and love to heal our hearts and bring us into repentance. Holy Motherhood is what makes us children of God rather than animals.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

The Church - Protector and Shepherd

 

Before ascending to His Throne, Jesus commanded the Apostles to remain in Jerusalem to await the Holy Spirit. Before departing for his trial, Saint Paul warned the Church that wolves would come to attack the Church, some even from within. Ever since, we have been waiting for the return of Christ, comforted and shepherded by the Holy Spirit, while protected by His Church. But we cannot be shepherded if we insist on ignoring the Church and wandering away from her wings. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, protects us from the wolves while leading us to heaven. We must be vigilant against the attack of the wolves, and learn to recognize when someone is teaching against the Church. At those moments we must run to the Church for protection.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

When Enough Isn't Enough

 

Everyone thirsts for something, but only one thing will satisfy your heart. Jesus said, “"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7.37-38) It is only when we thirst for God that our heart will be satisfied. If we thirst for wealth, it will never be enough. If we thirst for power and authority, it will never be enough. If we thirst for knowledge, it will never be enough. When enough isn’t enough, you’re probably thirsting for the wrong thing. Thirst after God, and you will never thirst again.

 

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Which Way Should I Look?

 

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit from the questions of others. This week’s question is from someone who noticed many people doing something different while the Priest moves throughout the Church during services. A newcomer to Orthodox especially may be confused by what seems like chaos among the faithful. “Which way should I look?” Now, here is an answer to that basic question. If you would like to submit a question for our Questions and Answers Summer Sermon Series, please visit our website at http://LiveANewLifeInChrist.organd we will do our best to include your question this summer.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Questions and Answers: I’m Distracted by Others in Church

 

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit from the questions of others. This week’s question is a follow-up to last week’s “Which Way Should I Look?” where we discuss the truth, sometimes difficult truth, that when we are distracted in Church, it might be because we don’t understand Liturgy like we should. We answered a second question this week, also along the theme of what are eyes see in Church, in which we discuss the different colors the Church uses for the clergy vestments and to cover the Holy Altar.

 

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Questions and Answers: The Light of Christ in the Narthex

 

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit from the questions of others. This week’s question addresses the “how” and “why” of lighting candles in the Narthex. Some people think lighting candles is just “another thing we do” as Orthodox Christians that has no meaning. But when you place that candle in the sand, you are doing MUCH more than just lighting a candle.

 

[Иван Ивковић]

Living Orthodoxy in a Sinful World

 

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit from the questions of others. This week’s question is inspired by Saint Paul’s words, “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God.” (Romans 14.21-22) In the context of recent contemporary issues facing the Church in America, what does Saint Paul mean when he says these words, and how do we live Orthodoxy in a sinful world?