Sermon topic

John 2:1-11

2 sermons with this topic

February 9, 2025

The Church as the Boat: Christ Comes to Us Despite All Obstacles

Not explicitly identified in transcript

The Armenian sermon introduces the upcoming Fast of the Catechumens (Առաջավորաց պահք), encouraging the faithful to observe it as preparation for Great Lent, and emphasizes the three pillars of spiritual life: prayer, Scripture reading, and fasting. The English sermon reflects on Christ walking on water from the Gospel of John, exploring how this miracle reveals Christ's authority over the physical and spiritual worlds, his bringing of peace, and the prefiguration of the church as a boat. The preacher connects the disciples' boat to the church nave, emphasizing that all belong in the church regardless of background or struggles, and that Christ comes to us despite all obstacles, overcoming loneliness and isolation.

John 6:16-21; John 2:1-11

January 19, 2025

The Wedding at Cana: Christ's First Miracle and Our Participation

Unidentified priest (Saint John Armenian Church)

The preacher delivers a bilingual homily on the Wedding at Cana (Christ's first miracle). In Armenian, he warns against using Jesus' presence at social gatherings as justification for excessive drinking, emphasizes that what belongs to God must be the best, and illustrates this with the communion bread (nshkar) as an example of offering our best to God. In English, he explores why Jesus initially said "no" to Saint Mary's request, drawing three lessons: Christ is not bound by prophecy or time (per Saint Cyril), Christ works through intercession (establishing Mary's role as intercessor), and Mary's instruction to the servants—"Do whatever he asks"—teaches that our participation is required for God's miracles.

John 2:1-11; John 1:1-14