Sorting our Prayers – Day 28 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today – Sorting our Prayers – Day 28 of Lent

Of the Lenten Sundays, three of them are named after parables which spotlight questionable characters. During the last two Sundays we met the Prodigal Son and the Dishonest Steward. Completing the trilogy of Parables-Sundays is the dedication for this 28th day of Lent to the Unrighteous Judge. All three parables come to us from our Lord and are found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 16, 17 & 18, respectively.

The Unrighteous Judge is a man who, as Jesus explains, did not fear anyone – not even God, nor was he ashamed of any person. In the town where he served as judge a widow kept coming to him and pleading with him, begging that he hear her case. For some time he refused, but finally he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear God, nor do I care about men, but because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice so she won’t eventually wear me out!” Jesus concludes his parable with an interesting statement. He says, “Listen to what the unjust judge says and will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night. Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.”

Indeed, this is an odd story at least on the surface. At first reading you might think that Jesus compares God to this unrighteous, unjust judge. Following that parallel you’re inclined to think that God can be worn out or worn down. It is as if we continue to pray repeatedly, God will eventually say yes to our needs and to our desires. So keep praying, keep being persistent. Persevere like the old lady! And in the end God will be tired of hearing you and will change His mind! Yes, it is odd, and perhaps it is for that reason why the evangelist St. Luke, writes a few words of explanation as a preface to the parable. He says, “Jesus told His disciples this parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” St. Luke’s narrative suggests that during his time, as is the case today, there is a misconception about the nature of prayer.

When Jesus teaches us the “Lord’s Prayer” he warns, “Do not heap up extra words. Your heavenly Father already knows what you need. Therefore when you pray, pray like this. Our Father, which art in heaven … ” Let’s think about that for a moment. If our Heavenly Father knows what we need, why then should we pray? This question betrays the fact that we have a misunderstanding about prayer.

Prayer is not merely a conversation with God. We pray because we need a conversation with ourselves. God already knows the desires of our heart. He knows our needs and as a loving father, wants the best for us. The real question is, do we know our needs? It may sound strange, but unless you have a true focus on your life, it is questionable whether or not you know what your needs are. Hence, we have the Lenten Season, annually, to realign ourselves with God and ourselves.

The act of charity today is to extend yourself to someone in obvious need, a patient in the hospital, a person on the street, a bereaved friend. Without being intrusive and without asking them, can you understand what their needs are?  Fast from shopping list types of prayers.

Try Broiled Lemon-garlic Mushroom for tonight’s Lenten meal with the recipe below.

We pray, Lord our God, you know our needs and our wants better than we do. Open my heart to Your Love so that I may trust that You are in charge. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 28: Broiled Lemon-garlic Mushrooms

 

Friendship in Sebastia – Day 27 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Friendship in Sebastia – Day 27 of Lent

The Armenian Church celebrates the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia today, on this 27th day of Lent. Sebastia is a town in Armenia. The entire Christian Church commemorates the martyrdom that took place there as a lesson in perseverance, sacrifice and friendship.

The story of the 40 Martyrs of Sebastia takes place in the 4th century, when 40 soldiers of the Roman army armed with a faith in Jesus Christ, are put to the test: either deny their faith or lose their lives. They refuse to betray or deny their faith in Christ Jesus. They are sentenced to a torturous death by being thrown into a mid-winter freezing lake. The forty men reach out to one another. They hold on to one another creating a human life raft. The water miraculously warms up. God creates an opportunity for the freezing water to give warmth, to give life. In so doing the men are also given an opportunity to be crowned as saints.

I would like to focus on the friendship that existed between these soldiers, particularly because they had the same foundation of faith. Even more, they belonged to a community that brought them together. The Church is the Christian community where we can gather to hold on to one another. The forty held on to each other and stay afloat in that lake. They found strength in one another. This is a model for the Church. What I present here as Armodoxy is the model as it was presented to us by Jesus Christ. The Martyrs of Sebastia were saved by that Church – by the power of Christ in the ring of friends.

The forty Martyrs of Sebastia understood the message of Christ as an expression of community. The name of the feast itself is about community. It is not one martyr that we remember, but 40 martyrs. It is a collective. People hanging on to one another, staying afloat, despite the difficulties in life. When we understand this, then we start reaching out to one another. We no longer fear sinking. We’re there for one another. Reaching out, hanging on, staying afloat in the waters of life… Understand that this is how miracles happen, because it at these moments that God heats the waters! We have yet another opportunity to really set sail and reach the dreams that we cannot do alone but certainly possible because of the community collective.

Today’s act of charity is to reach out to a friend, friends or family members. Engage them in a conversation about Faith. Fast from fear. Maybe even invite a friend to enjoy today’s Lenten recipe with you, Cold Linguine with Red Pepper, Artichoke and Sun-Dried tomato sauce. The recipe is linked below. Don’t forget to mention it’s a Lenten meal and there is a reason we follow the Lenten exercises.

We pray from St. Nersess Shnorhali (24) Glorified Lord, accept the supplications of your servant and graciously fulfill my petitions through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, John the Baptist, St. Steven the first martyr, St. Gregory our Illuminator, the holy apostles, prophets, divines, martyrs, patriarchs, hermits, virgins [and especially the 40 martyred saints of Sebastia as well as] all your saints in heaven and on earth. And unto you, oh indivisible Holy Trinity be glory and worship for ever and ever. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 27: Cold Linguine with Red Pepper, Artichoke and Sun Dried Tomato Sauce

Listening to Direction – Day 26 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Listening to Direction – Day 26 of Lent

A good manager will always listen to the direction given by his or her boss, process it and follow it in a manner that reflects his or her own personality that gets the job done.

Remember a few weeks ago when we read that Jesus says, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that is spoken by God,” we thought of it in terms of the bare essentials, the bare minimum. But today that has changed because we have changed since we last read that passage. The challenge today, on this 26th day of Lent, is to really look at those same words “…By every word that comes out of the mouth of God…” as being the blessing, as being the fullness of God speaking to our hearts, to our ears that are listening from within and now acting. We are saying if God is speaking to us, if God is directing our ways, how can we go wrong? Can we possibly be steered in the wrong direction? Can we possibly think that our actions as stewards, as managers of that God-given life can be anything but a productive one? It will be a life filled with beauty, with ambiance, with love. The life we live today is an abundant one. “I came so that you would have life,” said the Lord, “and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)  A life with Christ is a life in love. It is a life of abundance having everything that you need.

Your act of charity is to listen carefully to God’s calling. Fast from words or sounds that take you away from the Love of God.

Today’s menu is Cold Noodles in Spicy Sesame Sauce, the recipe is linked below.

We pray, Lord, open my ears to the sounds of righteousness. Since the day I was anointed before the holy font of baptism, my ears have been craving the sound of Your word, Your joy and Your presence. Keep my receptors open and clear to catch even Your slightest whispers in the cries of people in need. Amen.

 Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 26: Cold Noodles in Spicy Sesame Sauce

Cover Photo: K.T.Nalik 2009

Accountability Management – Day 25 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Accountability Management– Day 25 of Lent

There is no name tag on your shirt that says, “Manager,” because God has placed upon you the greatest tag of all. He’s named you as His child. Take advantage today. Is there anything that speaks to your heart more than the dreams that you have – the accessibility to a life that is rich and full? It is yours. It is yours because God has placed you in charge of that life – the steward and manager of that life. You do not have a right to place it in a closet. You do not have a right to trash it. All you have a right to do is enjoy it. Let it flower. Let it be fruitful. Let it bring glory to God.

By using the metaphor of stewardship, Jesus makes it very clear that we are accountable for our life. One day, like the manager or steward in the parable, we will be asked to produce a record, an accountability of our stewardship. What did we do with what God has given us? Did God give us talents? Did He give us an ability? Did He give us a smile? Did He give us a heartbeat and a breath? What did we do with that gift? What did we do with our lives?

Imagine giving a gift to a friend or a loved one. Wouldn’t you like to know that your friend enjoyed that gift? At some point wouldn’t you ask your loved one, “What did you do with that gift that I gave you? Did you enjoy it?” And certainly, how hurt you would be if that person had taken your gift and stored it in a closet or worse yet, just thrown it in the trash and never once paid attention to it. Likewise, God wants to know that the gift He has given us, that most valuable commodity – the breath that we breathe, the heart that beats, the smile that comes from our hearts – is being used and is being used wisely. Ultimately, is it being used to spread love of God to others. That is the demand put upon us as stewards of God’s gifts. We are stewards of our lives. We are responsible for the talents that are given to us, to share them, use them, and to give an account of How? Where? And What did we do with all that God has given us?

Today’s act of charity is to produce the fruit of your talent. Fast from fears that discourage you. Enjoy today’s recipe for Curry Butternut Squash which appears below.

We pray with St. Nersess Shnorhali’s 11th hour, Jesus, wisdom of the Father, grant me wisdom that I may always think, speak and do that which is good in your site. Save me from evil thoughts, words, and deeds. Have mercy upon all your creatures, and upon me, a great sinner. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 25: Curry Butternut Squash

Feeding the Beast – Day 24 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today – Feeding the Beast – Day 24 of 40

The Parable of the Dishonest Steward brings to focus the problem of ethics. A man who was dishonest was commended – applauded – for his actions. It is easy to mix emotions, motivations, desires, and actions in a mix that may yield favorable results but not necessarily good results considering the actions that were taken to produce those results. The Dishonest Steward parable begs the question, do the ends justify the means.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, deception, false pride, superiority and ego. The other wolf is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, righteousness, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a moment and replied, “But Grandfather, which one wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Lent is the period of time where we turn inward and restrict our diet. In so doing we check our feeding habits.

An act of charity today is to feed the good wolf. Fast from the food of the evil wolf.

But certainly try, Berry Good Chili, the recipe is at the link below.

We pray, from St. Nersess Shnorhali’s nineth hour All provident Lord, place Your holy fear as a guard before my eyes so they may not look lustfully; before my ears so that they may not delight in hearing evil words; before my mouth so that it may not speak any falsehoods; before my heart so that it may not think evil; before my hands so that they may not do injustice; before my feet, that they may not walk in the paths of injustice; but so direct them, that they may always be according to all Your commandments. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner. Amen.
Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 24: “Berry Good Chili”

 

Gifted Talents – Day 23 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Gifted Talents – Day 23 of Lent

We began this week with the Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Luke 16) which brought us to a discussion of stewardship. We continue today by asking, what are the talents that we possess? How can we use them? How can we improve our own lives, as well as the lives of our families, friends and community using those talents? God has given us the resources that we need to deal with life. He has given us the ability, the strength and the courage to move forward. He has given us breath! He has also endowed us with talents. Do you sing or play music? Are you able to craft something? Do you have reasoning and logical skills? Can you invest? Can you make money? Can you heal? Can you console? Can you walk in harmony with others? These are gifts from God.

Jesus says, “He who has been faithful in a little, will be trusted with much.” Take your talent and create! Invest it and make more, whatever your talent may be. As an ambassador of God, that is, an ambassador of Love, you now have a responsibility to use your talents wisely to bring the presence of God into your own life as well as the lives of the people around you – your family, friends and ultimately, the world.

There is one provision to our use of talents that is often forgotten, you do not have a right to ignore your gifts and talents. You are the manager of your life. You must use what has been given you.

Your act of charity to is to assign your talents for use. Fast from negativity. All things are possible with God.

Enjoy a Lenten treat today – Roasted Red Pepper and Fresh Chickpea Pasta, the recipe is below.

We pray, Heavenly Father, you have created each and everyone of us unique and in that uniqueness you have endowed us with gifts of talent and energy. Help me to explore and exploit those talents for the betterment of our life and our world. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 23: Roasted Red Pepper and Fresh Chickpea Pasta

Management Skills – Day 22 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today – Management Skills – Day 22 of Lent

In the Parable of the Dishonest Steward which we read yesterday (Luke 16), we find another character, like the one from last week – the Prodigal Son – who is far from the model you would expect in a religious story, and yet, Jesus uses him, he has the audacity to use him to teach us a lesson in life. It is a lesson in stewardship – managing the assets that we have in life.

We live in a world that is filled with real challenges. Reality is not based on or built on fairy tales or myths. Unlike playtime, life is demanding. It asks for our resources, the most precious of which is our time and effort – blood, sweat and tears. The question then becomes, how do we deal with, approach and overcome those challenges?

Jesus tells us that the challenges of life are real. They are to be met and overcome. The resources to do so are in place and need to be used. In his words, we are called to use “worldly wealth” to network and deal with the people of this world. In other words, in this world we must use the tools that this world offers, that is the “legal tender” of this world. Don’t shun those tools by ascribing some definitions based on your moral compass. Don’t pretend that you exist in some other world that is apart from the one we inhabit. This world is very real. Remember, you passed the half-way mark of Lent. Behind you see the road that brought you here but ahead of you is the one that unites you to the road of life. We need to use the means of this world to survive this world. What are those means? Our talents. The talents given to us by God.

An act of charity today is to become a steward of something that is in need of care, your church, a family or friend who is need of care. Fast from making practicing your faith only on Sundays.

Today’s recipe is Susty’s Super Tofu Salad, at the link below.

We pray, Heavenly Father, I thank You for the blessings You have bestowed upon me. Grant that I manage those talents in the ways that are pleasing to You and bring and harmony to our world. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 22: Susty’s Super Tofu Salad

Cover Photo: K.T.Nalik 2010

Stewardship – Day 21 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Stewardship – Day 21 of Lent

We are over half way through the Lenten season. We climbed up the hill and we are now at the summit, coming down. We look down from the summit and see two paths, one behind us and even more importantly, the path in front of us. It is this path that connects to a larger road which is the journey of life. All that we are discovering during this Lenten period is part of the self-improvement process which fortifies our position in life by granting us the tools to better meet the challenges of life, be they physical, emotional or spiritual. God gives us the tools to handle the complexities of life and to render the journey a simple one.

As we come down off of the mountain, we enter a world that is very real. It is a world filled with difficulties and challenges, but at the same time, it has many victories. It has many moments for us to rejoice and many more to enjoy. Life is very real! How appropriate, that today, at this half-way mark in Lent, the Armenian Church prescribes the Parable of the Dishonest Steward as its Lenten lesson. This lesson, found in Luke chapter 16, connects us to the reality of life.

The Parable of the Dishonest Steward is given to us by our Lord Jesus. We read that there was a steward, that is, a manager. He was charged with taking care of his boss’ assets and money. Jesus refers to him as a shrewd, and even “dishonest” manager. He gets caught red handed in some business shenanigans and is on the verge of being fired. He acts shrewdly and doubles down by doing even more dishonest deeds against his employer thereby making friends for himself, especially considering his impending unemployment, this was a tactical preemptive move. He is calculated and knows that when he gets fired, these new friends will hire him. Then comes the kicker…  Jesus brings it down to this, “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.”

Your act of charity is simple, read the Parable of the Dishonest Steward in its entirety. We will take a dive into this story which leaves many people perplexed because the “hero” is a squirrely character. Fast today from making any judgment calls, on the people in the story as well as in life.

Celebrate the half-way mark of Lent with some Lenten Cookies, the recipe is below.

We pray, Lord, I thank you for entrusting me with my life and the world in which I live. Help me to become a better steward of my life and my world. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 21: Lenten Cookies

 

Ego Placement – Day 20 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Ego Placement –  Day 20 of Lent

Continuing on yesterday’s look at the ego as motivator and hinderance to a full life, today we continue with ways of feeding the ego.

Think of the great people who have impacted the world. Now focus on the great people in your own life. They may be a parent or a teacher, or a mentor. You will find again that these have been the ones who have been willing to put themselves second to better the lives of others, be they their children, their husbands, their wives, their country, their society or their community. Whatever the case, in the sacrifice that they made, ego was contained. Ego was put on hold so that others were allowed to prosper.

To raise children, to support a husband or a wife, to deal with aging parents, to offer love and affection to people around, requires sacrifice. Armodoxy is the faith of the Armenian Church which has fed this atmosphere of sacrifice.

Many times in church life we need volunteers to get jobs done. Sometimes we think, would it not be easier if we paid people to work in these positions? Certainly it would be easier, but the real power of getting things done in the church is by volunteers, because in volunteerism the ego has to be suppressed. When you get down on your knees and wipe the floors of a church you acknowledge that there is something greater than yourself there that needs to be served. When you volunteer to help in community organizations, in organizations that have goals that are striving for peace or world justice, you are placing a greater-than-sign (>) between the purpose and yourself. In volunteering, the ego gets left behind. You are not as important as the “we.”

In the story of the Prodigal Son the younger brother is driven by ego. He wants his inheritance, not for some community project, not to better the lives of other people but to enjoy himself. Quickly we see that when the money runs out and so does the enjoyment. His friends back off. There is no intrinsic value to the things he acquired. He was driven by ego, and he lost the value of life.

Today’s act of charity is to increase the use of the word “we” and fast from the use of the words “I” and “me.” And try today’s recipe for Hot and Sour Soup, with link below.

Today’s prayer is a with a simple question presented to us by the saint of Armenian Orthodoxy, St. Gregory of Narek (6) to guide us in our prayers, What use, what good is it to me to exhaust myself with this stream of words, the voice of my sighing heart? Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 20: Hot and Sour Soup

That Little Big Thing – Day 19 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: That Little Big Thing – Day 19 of Lent

We are at the third week of Lent. It has been a good journey. We have had time to look inward, to contemplate, meditate and pray. We have restricted our diets as well as restricted idle conversation. We are feeling good. The changes we are making are starting to impact others, our families our surroundings, our work environment, our communities and therefore, our world.

Now we start understanding that real changes come from within. Perhaps it is the only thing we can alter in this world, because it is the only thing in which we have complete control. God places that control in our hands. He gives us this life and He allows us to live it the way we wish.

We conclude this week by looking at one more dimension in the story of the Prodigal Son, namely the ego dimension. You see, all of our difficulties in life stem from the ego. Long before Freud put his finger on the motivators in life, Jesus was pointing sharing the importance of leaving ego behind. We are reminded of Jesus’ words, “He who loves his life will lose it and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it for eternal life.” (John 12)

Take a look at great people who have impacted society and life and are recorded in history in a very positive manner. You’ll find something very similar among all of their biographies. They have been willing to sacrifice themselves. They have given of themselves. Now, do not mistake this for low self-esteem or low self-worth. People who impact life in a positive manner have a very positive image of themselves, but they are also willing to sacrifice because that positive self-image is not a false one, nor is it built on false pride.

False pride is very easy to acquire. Especially going through some of the Lenten rituals, as we are doing now, it is very easy to confidently boast, “Look at me, I am doing something that others can’t do.” In that statement we forget the reason for the Lenten season. In other words, the means become the focus of our actions rather than the end or goal of our efforts. The goal of Lent is to better ourselves and therefore better our relationships and our world. In the same way, we can think of our dietary restrictions during Lent. There is a reason for us to abstain from animal products. It is not only for the sake of lowering our cholesterol or our weight, but it is to keep things on an even playing field, and understanding what is essential in our lives.

Your act of charity today is to look within and inventory the changes that you’ve noticed over the past few weeks while observing the Lenten season. Fast from what is not necessary in your life.

Get ready to continue tomorrow with more ego talk. Today’s menu serves baked sweet potato wedges, with a recipe below.

We pray St. Nerses Shnorhali’s prayer, (4/24) Son of God, true God who descended from the bosom of the Father and took flesh of the Holy virgin Mary for our salvation, who was crucified and buried and rose from the dead and ascended to the Father. I have sinned against heaven and before you. Remember me like the robber when you come in your kingdom. Have mercy on your creatures and upon me a sinner. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 19: Baked Sweet Potato Wedges

Cover Photo: K.T.Nalik 2009