The IAN family marker

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Armodoxy for Today: The IAN family marker

Armenian names traditionally end with an I-A-N (alternatively with a Y-A-N) to denote belonging. It means, “From the family of…” The last name “Petrosian” says from the family of Petros, equivalent to Peterson in English.

Jesus’ family members have the same I-A-N naming tradition. They are called Christian, that is, of the family of Christ. His family is made up of those who accept his invitation to join.

In Matthew, chapter 12 we read Jesus’ words as He “stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’” (vs. 48-50)

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Start with Amen

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Armodoxy for Today: Amen

Prayers end with a one-word sentence: Amen (alternatively pronounced: Āmen). It means “So be it.” The word Amen is written with a period after it. It is a complete expression defying the norms of sentence structure with a noun and verb. So be it.

It is a ratification on our part. Throughout Scripture, we find Jesus is asking us to participate in the Kingdom. Amen is the single word answer to that participation request. It is a complete and solid admission that we are in sync with a prayer or a statement. So be it. Amen.

This week we will be looking at Christ’s invitation to us, to not be passive in the face of the miracle of life, but to participate. Amen, is often stated at the end of a prayer, for our purposes, it is the first step in participating in God’s Kingdom. So be it.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Branch Burning

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Armodoxy for Today: Branch Burning

“If anyone does not abide in Me,” says Jesus, “he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”

Jesus cautions us about a life lived without purpose. In being connected to the vine, we understand that we have purpose and meaning by bearing fruit. The dead branches cannot bear fruit. Whatever dies withers and decays. With this metaphor, Jesus adds that room is made for the productive branches by gathering and burning the barren branches.

Now a word of caution before you start looking around for withering branches. Ours is to produce. Ours is to be connected to the Vine, to Love, so that we may produce good fruit. God is the sole Caretaker – the Vinedresser – who decides which branches remain and which are pruned.

With the lessons of the week, read the John 15 passage one more time and share the joy of your connection.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Wrinkly and Cold Iron

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Armodoxy for Today: Not to mention raisins and iron

Raisins are dried grapes. Yes, those tasty, robust and aromatically pleasing grapes that are a product of the branch connected to the Vine, will dry up and shrivel, if not consumed. The grapes that are produced have an end goal and purpose, to offer taste, nutrition and beauty to others and the world. But at the end of their life cycle, once they come off the Vine they are dead. No matter how good they look, taste or smell, they are most certainly dead.

Jesus sets up this metaphor to remind us that beauty is only skin deep. If we are not connected to the Divine, we may be basking in wealth, beauty and luxury – that is, look, take and smell great – but we are spiritually dead. Sure, raisins also have nutritional value; they are a source of iron. Think about it: Iron is cold metal. Yes, Jesus’ metaphor works as it illustrates separation from the True Vine.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

The Symbol of Productivity

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Armodoxy for Today: Grapes, the Symbol of Productivity

In John chapter 15, Jesus sets up a metaphor, with himself being the vine, his Father the vinedresser and us, the branches. No matter how you twist or turn these three, the message is clear: Life is about productivity. Life is meant to be lived. We are the branches of the metaphor and the only way to be productive – to bear fruit, grapes – is to be connected to the vine.

The Vine, Jesus Christ, is incarnate Love. A productive life is one that is nurtured and the fueled by Love. Only when you are connected to the Vine, to Love, does life have purpose and meaning. A life of love is not selfish. The branch is not preoccupied with self-love and self-preservation. The ego is placed to one side and fruit – robust, juicy, flavorful, aromatically alluring grapes poke through the hard and rough branches to bring joy to those who partake.

Only by being connected to the vine does this happen. A branch cut from the Vine, cut from Love, only stands alone and withers.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Just KISS, it’s Simple

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Armodoxy for Today: Just Kiss, it’s simple

KISS is an acronym that has been used in many different disciplines but came to prominence in its use by the US Navy in 1960. K.I.S.S. stands for Keep It Simple, Stupid. There are softer variations of it, such as, Keep It Short and Simple and Keep It Super Simple, with the main point being to articulate ideas simply. Advertising agencies spend millions to spell out purchase reasons in simple words and terms.

Jesus artfully presented the most complex thoughts and rules that guide our existence in very simple terms. He set up metaphors, one of which we tie in with the Feast of the Assumption of the Asdvadzadzin.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. … I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…” (John 15)

This week, we began picking those grapes from John 15.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

The Grapes

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Armodoxy for Today: The Grapes

The first fruits of the season, grapes, are blessed on the Feast of the Assumption of the Asdvadzadzin. Last week, we built up to the Feast with reflections on the Blessed Mother, Mary. This week, we meditate on the meaning of the grapes based the Jesus’ words, recorded in John, chapter 15:

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit….  

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

First Givings

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Armodoxy for Today: First Givings

A custom and tradition in the Armenian Church is to bless grapes on the Feast of Assumption. Jesus uses a grape-grapevine metaphor to describe his relationship with his followers. We’ll dive deeper into that vat next week, but for today, let’s focus on why the grape blessing is connected to the Blessed Mother Mary.

Given Armenia’s climate, the first crop of grapes would be ready by mid-August making the Feast of Assumption a convenient time for farmers to offer their first crop to the church as a symbol of thanksgiving. This offering would be blessed by the priest, in a prayer of thanksgiving for the weather and fertile soil. The grapes would then be shared with the community through the church.

The first crop was not the leftovers, but the very best of the harvest. Your very best should be offered to God – your goods, your labor, energy, talents – and through the Church they are distributed among the community. St. Mary, who knew Christ from the womb to the Resurrection, was the first Christian. On this day, the first fruits of our labor are offered.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

 

Beyond Cradle to Grave

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Armodoxy for Today: Beyond Cradle to Grave

On this fourth day of preparation for the Feast ahead of us, we focus on the singular place the St. Mary occupies in human history.

The Feast we celebrate on Sunday is called the Assumption. As Tradition tells us, when the Blessed Mother passed away, the Apostle Bartholomew was absent from the group of Apostles who attended her funeral. When he returned to Jerusalem he asked that he might visit her tomb to offer his respects to the Holy Mother of Blessed Memory. When they found her tomb empty, it was revealed that she was “assumed” into Heaven by Christ himself. Hence, the Feast is called the Assumption of the Asdvadzadzin.

The two words Assumption and Asdvadzadzin, celebrates the one who knew Jesus before and after the “cradle to grave” markers. St. Mary knew Christ from womb to Resurrection to her own Assumption. In the words of the angels, she is the highly favored one, the Lord is with her; blessed is she among women! (Luke 1:28)

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

What’s in a Name?

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Armodoxy for today: What’s in a name?

Within the Armenian tradition the Blessed Mother, St. Mary, has many names, the meanings of which, have inspired generation upon generation. These descriptive names have been given as proper names to girls in Armenian tradition. Some of them are, Srbuhi = the Holy One, Lousaper = the Light Bearer, Tiruhi = the Holy Lady, Makruhi = the Clean One, Imastuhi = the Wise One, Geghetzik = Beautiful, Anarat = The Pure One… and the list goes on.

These descriptive names highlight the virtues of St. Mary and, for us, become guiding beacons by which we pattern our life, with holiness, light, purity, wisdom and beauty.

But the most common name by which she is referred to in the Armenian Church, is a descriptor and a definition. It is, Asdvadzadzin, or the God bearer. As with all the names, especially with Asdvadzadzin, the emphasis is not on her, but on the fruit of her womb, Jesus.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.