LJ2021 – Day 32 – Courage

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 32: Courage
Get up and do not be afraid. – Jesus (Matthew 17:7)

There are two parts of courage, as understood from Jesus’ command. Absence of fear is an obvious attribute of courage. Not so obvious is the necessity to act about that loss of fear, that is, to “get up” and live. The Lenten Journey is about finding this courage that leads to a productive life.
 
Graphic: PublicDomainPictures.net

LJ2021 – Day 31 – God’s choice

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 31: God’s choice
I do choose. Be made clean! – Jesus (Mark 1)

 
A man approaches Jesus and ask for a spiritual healing, with the condition, “If you (Jesus) so choose?” The question is, why wouldn’t he choose to do so? Why wouldn’t he want you to be walking in the Grace of God? Once you know Jesus is on-board for the salvation of your soul, you merely have to listen for the words that follow, “Be made clean!”

 

LJ – Day 30 – Purpose

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 30: Purpose
Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do. – Jesus (Mark 1)

 
As we enter into the final 10 days of Lent, our focus begins to turn toward action, which must be guided with purpose. Your purpose in life is defined by your calling. We are each called to do something special in life. The Lenten Journey gives us an opportunity to sift through some of the clouds of confusion and focus on our purpose, as a child, perhaps a parent or spouse, as a worker – employer or employee – …. as a human being, that is, our purpose as a person. And, like Jesus, proclaim it.
Graphic FreeIMG.net

 

 

 

LJ2021 – Day 29 – Tears

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 29: Tears
Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. – Jesus (Luke 7)

 
Tears are the outward expression of our inner emotions. Often, they come forth in times of sadness and therefore, may be unnoticed at times of joy. The intensity of emotions that push forth tears draws attention to the fine line between sadness and joy. The pandemic has put distance and time between loved one, and tears often point to that space, both, with the sadness of the reality and the joy of being near again.
Graphic: PDPics.com Public Domain

LJ2021 – Day 28 – Prayer

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 28: Prayer
I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. – Jesus (Luke 18)

 
In the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18) Jesus shares a story that points to the need for prayer in our life and not to lose heart. Following the story, the point and intention of prayer is justice. What are the injustices you’ve felt in your life? Can you point to the justice that has been achieved, “quickly,” following your prayers? With less than two weeks left for the Lenten Journey, has your understanding of justice changed since the first days of this journey?

Graphic: Child’s First Prayer, Public Domain

 
 

LJ2021 – Day 27 – Children

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

 

Day 27: Children
Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. – Jesus (Matthew 19)

What are the attributes of children that make them the prime candidates for inheritors of the kingdom of heaven? Innocence, simplicity, obedience, acceptance, eagerness to learn, are among some of the attributes of children that we seek during the Lenten Journey. The 40 Martyrs’ of Sebaste were regarded as children (manoog).

Graphic: Icon of Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

LJ2021 – Day 26 – Productivity

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

 

Day 26: Productivity
A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ – Jesus (Luke 13)

Life has purpose and meaning. The gifts and talents that are given to us by God are meant to be nurtured, developed and ultimately used. During the Lenten Journey, we discover and connect with those talents only to learn that they are gifts to be used.

Queen Peace

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Queen Peace Cover

Next Step #666 – March 11, 2021 – From sheep, to seeds, to chess, it’s about the metaphor/platform for the timeless Gospel message.  Lessons from Reclaim – faith in a post-pandemic world, on the first anniversary of the WHO proclamation. AGAPE love, found on Earth and at the last station stop. Pope Francis in Iraq and a meeting to bring Peace. Walking away from Bible study – not for the first world? Elevator rides beyond the 12th floor and the trip back down all in this episode.
“The Armenian Church is our queen. She’s omnidirectional and arguably the most powerful piece we have. One of our duty to protect and support her. Unfortunately, it is also the one piece that most of us have not used to her full potential.” – Dn. Christaphor Movsesian
Lenten Journey 2021 by Fr. Vazken
Reclaim 2021 videos – watch here
WD168 This week
Pope Francis in Iraq
Inside the Vatican Podcast
Join Fr. Vazken for Sunday Service
Colin Hay Waiting for my real life to begin
Penguin Bloom
Cover: Public Domain
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for http://InHisShoes.org

LJ2021 – Day 25 – Good News

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 25: Good News
The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. – Jesus (Luke 16)

Force is power. It is measured by strength. To enter somewhere by force implies that what is inside is of great value. What is new, that is news, is that the law and the profits were in effect until John. The kingdom of God can be entered. And the Good News is that the entrance to the kingdom is accessible by all.
Graphic: Dreamstime.com

LJ2021 – Day 24 – Shrewdness

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Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 24: Shrewdness
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. – Jesus (Luke 16)

 
Shrewdness is viewed as a necessary virtue to engage in the dealings of this world. It is not necessarily thought of as a spiritual virtue. Jesus points to it with not apology. During our Lenten Journey, we discover the that we bring our entire self – worldly and spiritual – to the stewardship of Creation.
Graphic: Dreamstime.com