The Eighth Sermon to the Dead

Today is the Fifth day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Leo: Honesty, Generousity, Self-motivation, Charisma, and Enthusiasm 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: Love is the fulfilling of the law. -Romans 13: 10 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, The Gospel of Philip for the day: "Be not fearful of the flesh, nor love it. If you fear it, it will become master over you. If you love it, it will swallow and paralyze you." 7. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it ...

Today is the Fourth day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Cancer: Kindness, Romanticism, Imagination, Intuition, and the Family Ties. It is also associate with the Apostle Nathaniel, or also called Bartholomew. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. - I John 1:7 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, Come to me, My Kinsman for the day: "I am the Light that shines forth, that gives joy to th...

Today is the Third day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Gemini: Youth, Communication, Wit, Courage and Adaptability. It is also associated with St. Thomas. I have taken some full moon astrological meditations, and modified them a bit to be appropriate to a Christian/Gnostic meditative style. The meditations are located here . These meditations focus on the Twelve Labors of Hercules, and make interesting readings in and of themselves, or if you prefer a non-Christian context for the meditations of these twelve days. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: "Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10 5. Memoriz...

Today is the Second day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Taurus: Practicality, Sensuousness, Ambition, and Affection. I have taken some full moon astrological meditations, and modified them a bit to be appropriate to a Christian/Gnostic meditative style. The meditations are located here . These meditations focus on the Twelve Labors of Hercules, and make interesting readings in and of themselves, or if you prefer a non-Christian context for the meditations of these twelve days. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: "He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God" - I John 4:16 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, tak...

Today is the First day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Aries: Active, energetic, open to new experiences. I have taken some full moon astrological meditations, and modified them a bit to be appropriate to a Christian/Gnostic meditative style. The meditations are located here . These meditations focus on the Twelve Labors of Hercules, and make interesting readings in and of themselves, or if you prefer a non-Christian context for the meditations of these twelve days. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: "Behold, I make all things new" - Rev 21:5 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Le...

I want to write something profound, something religious. Something to take the bad taste of the Christmas Eve Service we went to. I was reflecting, as I sat in the beautiful cathedral and listened to the angelic music soaring around us, that the Medieval Christians had a subtler understanding of the material world than we do. They realized that the glory of God could be represented in the material form: huge cathedrals, beautiful statues, simple gifts of stone, incense, wax, bread, wine to represent the Ineffable. Not just symbols, but in some small way, God with Us. Then, the preacher started the sermon, and I realized they had a subtler spiritual understanding, as well. Once again, I was driven out of a church by the facile reasoning of someone 'ordained'. I pray to God to save me from that fate. He told personal stories to try to tie us to the spirit of the season: Stories of the death of his father on Christmas day, of the pains of childbirth and pregnancy. It was as depres...

I am very sorry, but life has intervened in many ways to keep me from getting this done. However, you now have it in writing: I have two days of relative peace coming up. My wife and Roomie are going to Chicago (winter break from school), so I'll be home (I have to work), and able to compile our gnewbie assignments and send them off to +Mar Iohannes. Expect a report on my progress by Friday.

Sorry for the light posting, folks. I just realized it's been over a month since there was anything of substance on here. With the Advent Season, personal life changes, and an introspective turn of mind, I haven't been writing much. I've been given a lot to think about and act upon the past few weeks, and I'm still finding my way. +Mar Iohannes has been a big help in this matter. I will attempt to post some pictures of the Chapel, all gussied up for Advent.

The newly-founded Gnostic parish of the Apostolic Johannite Church, Parish of St. Gerasimos, State College Pennsylvania, will be performing liturgy for the first time today. St. Gerasimos was a 16th century monk who preached ""Children, live in peace and do not be arrogant". Congratulations, and good luck.