Ego Placement – Day 20 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

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

/0 Comments/in ,

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

Seeming Justice – Day 18 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: Seeming Justice – Day 18 of Lent

When we first began looking at the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) a few days ago, we heard that the father had two sons. So far we’ve only looked at the dynamics between the father and the younger son, today, we meet the older brother.

Of the three characters in the parable, perhaps it is the older brother with whom we can best identify. Perhaps it is because, well, basically he is a good guy. He is a friendly guy. He is the one who did the right things and stayed faithful. He stayed home and did not squander his father’s money. He was loyal. He was obedient. But mostly we see in him the man, who like all of us, recognizes the unfairness of life. There was an injustice that was being played out because when the younger brother came home, there was celebration. It was almost as if he was being rewarded for his breach of discipline.

The older brother also asks questions that could have arisen out of simple jealousy. Why not me? Why is it that good things happen to bad people? Why are the actions of the bad person being rewarded while my goodness goes unnoticed? I have been loyal. I have been the model son any father would be proud of. Now this son of yours comes home, after squandering and abusing what you have given him. How can he be worth of the fatted calf? A celebration? The ring of authority on his hand? Simply: Why not me? Perhaps it is this expression that rings the bell of familiarity in all of us.

There are many examples of unfairness in our lives. Often, we see people who seemingly do not deserve to be rewarded, yet they are honored with privileges and celebrations. Why not me? is only a natural question to follow this inequity. Not only is it natural, it is logical if we believe good should be rewarded,

The father in the story gives a very simple answer. His is an answer that comes from the vantage point of parenthood. “Son,” says the father to his oldest, “I have always had you. Whatever I have is already yours. But this, my son, was lost and now he’s found; was dead and now he’s alive.” In so saying, the father is asking his son to see the bigger pictures. It’s not just about this moment, but there is a bigger “project” so to speak. Ultimately, God’s aim is to have us all His children reconciled with all of His creation. It’s about a state of love and harmony so that everyone may share that Kingdom.

Your act of charity today is to celebrate an event you would not otherwise celebrate. Fast for pride which causes jealousy and keeps you at a distance from loved ones.  Perhaps begin your celebration with a Peach Cobler, today’s Lenten recipe, found below.

We pray with St. Gregory of Narek (53), The one who is afflicted and sighing you make happy. And the impudent you put in his place. And when our resources are exhausted
you perform the greatest miracles. For you forgive sins and erase our iniquity; you pardon our injustices and forget our sins as the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold. For all us sinners in our bewilderment, you remain the only condition for the good news.
To you with the Father and the Holy Spirit, glory and power forever. Amen.   (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 18: Peach Cobbler

Cover photo: K.T.Nalik 2009

Applying the Father – Day 17 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: Applying the Father – Day 17 of Lent

We continue learning from the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) and today, continue on the character of the father. Yesterday we spoke of him as expression of the love of our Heavenly Father. Today, we understand the importance of this Lenten Season as we apply the father’s love to our lives.

The Prodigal’s father’s actions tell us what is required of us in our relationships, not necessarily with children, but with one another. There are people who have hurt us. The degrees of hurt are not consequential. Perhaps we have cried over a misspoken word, or we have been devastated by betrayal. The hurt has left a chasm in our relationships with others. We have all created divisions between ourselves and God by virtue of our actions or inaction,  yet God has given us a way back. We too must do the same and leave doors open for those people to return back to us. In other words, an end to grudges is in order. Don’t get caught up in foolish pride. Leave doors open without expecting someone to walk through. Don’t wait for those who have hurt you to return, just know that deep down there are many desires that may not be understood. If the door is open, they may return and when they do you must and will embrace them.

The heart is speaking to you. Do not think with your mind. Be ready to take in. Be ready to embrace, to hug, to suffocate them with the love that is in your heart. This is the example that Jesus gives us through the character of the father in the Parable. On the one hand it is showing us what our Heavenly Father does, and the example for us to do likewise to those in our lives. On the other hand we have prayed, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” God forgives us. We, therefore, have to be forgiving of others.

Your act of charity today is to open doors you have shut. Fast from locks that keep doors shut and relationships from continuing.

On the Lenten menu today is Asian Noodles with Edamame

Let us pray, from St. Gregory of Narek (12) [Lord] Inscribe your name on the skylight of my abode. Cover the roof of my temple with your hand. Mark the threshold of my cell with your blood. Imprint the outside of my door with your sign. Protect the mat where I rest with your right hand. Amen. (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 17: Asian Noodles with Edamame

Cover Photo: Gregory & Luna Beylerian 2023

Patiently Waiting – Day 16 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: Patiently Waiting – Day 16 of Lent

Continuing on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, today we look at the character of the father, who waits steadfastly for his child’s return home.

We first learn that the father gives without restriction or condition. His son says, “Give me my inheritance so I can go out and establish and begin my life.” The father, being a wise man, certainly understands that the son may lose or squander the money but does not argue with his child. He lets go. Even though he knows better, he also accepts that the child’s life is his to live. Yes, making mistakes can be painful, but it is by those mistakes that children learn.

The second time we see the father is when the son returns. Remember the son is remorseful, or at the very least he understands that he can have a better life by returning to his father’s house. No matter what the son’s intentions may be, the father seeing the son on the road back home, runs out to meet him on the road and does not even allow his son to ask forgiveness. He does not play a game of pride. He does not foolishly say, “Let me wait and see what he has to say.” He is there to accept his son. He does not say, “I told you so. I knew you would be back.”  Instead he recognizes his loved one – the son that he cared for, gave birth to and nurtured – had now returned! How excited he must be. Of course, he comes running up to his son and embraces him.

The father in the parable is an expression of our Heavenly Father. Jesus gives us a glimpse of the unconditional love of God. God in heaven waits for us to come home and when we do turn back, He does not wait for us to beg to return to His Kingdom. He is patiently waits for us to make that first turn-around. It’s then that He approaches us, embracing us fully. He takes us in, giving us Life! God accepts us as true children of his Kingdom. His acceptance of us is a given. The requirement is for us to say, “Yes, I have sinned. I have gone the wrong way. I have squandered what God has given me. I want to find peace. I want to find that love that God has created me in.” God waits for us to say, “I’m ready,” after which it all falls into place.

Your act of charity today is in the spirit of the Prodigal’s father, accept those who have wandered away. Are they looking for a way to come back and ask how open are you to forgive? Fast, today, from all that prevents you from opening the door to your heart.

Today’s recipe is Cherry Walnut chews, the recipe is linked below.

We pray, from St. Gregory of Narek, (33) O Lord, prepare for us honorable lodgings, for the partaking of your heavenly lamb, that we might eat life-giving manna of the new salvation and escape the punishments of condemnation. May our blasphemy be purified in the refiner’s fire, as the prophet told of the live coal in the tongs of offering at the altar, so that your mercy is proclaimed in all things as the lovingkindness of the Father, who embraced the prodigal son with fatherly inheritance, and led the prostitute to the bliss of the heavenly kingdom, was proclaimed by the Son of God. Amen. (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 16: Cherry Walnut Chews

Young Sin – Day 15 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: Young Sin – Day 15 of Lent

The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) is what we are examining this week and we begin with the younger brother, the one identified as the “prodigal son.”

According to the parable, Jesus says the younger brother desired a different life than the one he was living. Entertaining thoughts of different or better life is fairly common. When desire motivates us,  we ask why shouldn’t I have the better things in life? In this boy’s case, he had the means, his father had the resources, so why not take advantage of the situation and go for it all? What then is the “sin” of the younger son? He is driven by his passions and the energy that comes with youth, and perhaps a little bit of impatience. He seizes the opportunity and takes what he can! Where’s the sin?

Taking what is given to you is not a sin. That is your gift. It belongs to you. The sin is squandering the gift! The sin is taking your gift and abusing it.

God has given each of us talents. He has given us life itself. Indeed the breath we breathe is a gift, as is the smile on our face, our ability to hug and our passion to reach out. Much like the Prodigal Son, we squander what is given us in a reckless and sometimes abusive manner. We consume our lives with the minutia and we therefore abandon quality. God has given us a smile that would light up a room and we cover it up, we are ashamed to show our goodness. He has given us the ability to talk and instead we keep our mouths closed, or if we do open it we fill it with idle conversation and gossip. He has given us hand to hold, lift up and to help others instead we tie our hands down and refuse to help those in need. He has given us feet to walk in the paths of righteousness and instead we take our bodies to dismal hangouts.

The act of charity for today is inventory the gifts that have been given to you. Make a list of those talents and put a check mark on the talents you use and a zero (0) on those you do not and an ‘x’ on those you abuse. Look at your list: are you respecting that gift or are you squandering it? Fast today from making a quick decision, instead contemplate the your interaction with your talents. Then treat yourself to a Suonomo cucumber salad from the recipe below.

We pray from St. Gregory of Narek (27) I have sinned against the talents of your incomprehensible gifts, incessantly have I sinned… But if you, Lord Jesus, reach out to me in loving-kindness as I suffocate with sighs of pain, then, as the Scriptures promised, “Your cure will cleanse away the greatest sins.” And through your boundless kindness I will be joined to you, with your image of light re-imprinted upon my soul. Atoned and re-established in your salvation, I will reach the immortal life of the virtuous and give glory forever to you with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen. (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 15: Suonomo (Cucumber Salad)

Prodigal Son – Day 14 of 50

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: The Prodigal Son – Day 14 of Lent

Jesus taught by using parables. They are precise and so packed with meaning that scholars, teachers and preachers have dissected and challenged themselves and others with their interpretations of the story lines. Jesus shared his parables by putting them out there. We don’t know if he interpreted or further elaborated on the parables. If he did, save for a few exceptions, they are not remembered in the Gospel narratives.

This Sunday of Lent is know as the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, a parable that is recorded in the fifteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. I firmly believe that if nothing else reached us from the time of Jesus except for this one parable, it would be enough to explain our relationship to and with God, and the extent of His Love for us.

Jesus shares this parable: A certain man had two sons.  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and [found work with a man who] sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

That’s the story of the Prodigal Son. Yes, you heard right, the man did have two sons. I’ll share the story of the other son in the coming days along with a look at the elements of this powerful parable. Today I wanted you to hear it as it appears in the Gospel narrative.

Your act of charity is to examine the story and consider why it is presented during the Lenten season. Fast today from excessive analysis. And try hot and sour cabbage from the recipe below.

We pray with St. Nersess Shnorhali from his third hour of prayer, Heavenly Father, true God, who sent Your beloved Son to seek the wandering sheep. I have sinned against heaven and before you. Receive me like Prodigal Son and clothe me with the garment of innocence, of which I was deprived by with sin. Have mercy upon your creatures and upon me a great sinner. Amen

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 14: Hot and Sour Cabbage

Welcome to Sin – Day 13 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: Welcome to Sin – Day 13 of Lent

One of the most misunderstood concepts or themes in Christianity is sin. Our understanding, or misunderstanding, of sin stems from models that have been set up for us and have conditioned us since childhood. We associate sin with the bad or evil in our life because evil is punished, or at the very least, it produces unfavorable consequences. Even more, in religion, particularly in the traditional Judeo-Christian system of thought, the punishment for evil is augmented by concepts of condemnation and damnation. These models creep into our adult life and skew our perception of life. They distort our view of what life is what life can be.

The truth is, all our actions – not just evil, but everything we do – has consequences.  Actions are made up of emotional thoughts and they are acted out by physical means. Newton’s laws of motion tell us that to every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. This applies to the physical world as well as the spiritual world.

So let’s begin by saying that all evil is sin, but not all sin is evil.

Sin means missing the mark. Imagine a large target and in this target is the center circle. That large black circle is called the bullseye. Now imagine a bow and arrow in your hands. You pull back on the bow and let the arrow go. The arrow travels through space, through time and eventually it hits its destination. You have aimed for the bullseye, you have aimed for perfection, but somehow it didn’t make it. You missed the mark. You may hit quite a ways off of the mark, you might have hit close by. In fact, you may have not hit the target at all! No matter what the case –close or far from the bullseye – you missed the mark! You sinned. Close or far from the targeted area, it’s a sin. Sin is sin. You aimed for perfection but came short of it. You missed the mark.

Each of us strives for perfection. We all want to hit that mark, we want the best for ourselves, for our families, for our children; but we journey through space and time, much like the arrow and are influenced by many factors including the wind, freak occurrences, lack of focus or unnoticed obstacles, and we do not hit the mark.

As we conclude our second week of Lent, understanding sin in these terms helps us in our journey, especially as we meet the characters of the next few weeks, namely the Prodigal Son (tomorrow), the Dishonest Steward and the Unrighteous Judge.

Your act of charity today is to forgive those who have created a hierarchy of sin. Forgive yourself. Fast today, from judging others. Try a Saturday special with stir-fried asparagus, recipe found below.

Let us pray, Father in Heaven, who makes your sun shine on the good and the bad, on the just and the unjust, let the rays of the sun touch and burn away the judgement that runs through me, to understand myself as a sinner too. Help me through this Lenten journey. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 13: Stir -Fried Asparagus

Unexpectedly Eclipsing God – Day 12 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: Unexpectedly Eclipsing God  – Day 12 of 40

In the wee hours of this morning, there was a total eclipse of the Moon. Astronomical events have caught my attention since early childhood, especially the kind that you can see from the comfort of your home. So I stayed up and with that childhood wonder watched in awe as the Moon slipped out of the Sun’s light into the Earth’s shadow and then slipped back out. I don’t know what is more amazing to me, the fact that these huge astronomical bodies dance with grace in the sky, or the fact that their motion is so delicately aligned with the universal laws of motion that this event was predicted to the minute several hundreds of years ago.

This week, we have been inspired by the Gospel passage which was read on Expulsion Sunday. In it, Jesus says, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5)

Did you catch the eclipse? Jesus, in these words, is saying there is something more important than God! God is eclipsed by our need to reconcile with one another. You’ve gone to church to worship God, to offer your sacrifice to God, but there is something more important, being reconciled with your brother. He says, drop your offering at the church – turn away from God – until you first reconcile with your brother. To be at peace and in harmony with one another eclipses any pious gesture of worship or adoration of God.

The Christian message is about people. It’s about harmony and that peaceful existence comes about when we become part of the solution. It’s not about looking up to heaven but reaching out to one another here on Earth. If there is going to be harmony in our lives, if there is going to be peace in this world, it’s not because I am offering a prayer upwards, rather it is because I am offering a prayer sideways. I am reaching out to my brothers and my sisters as a vehicle of love. True peace, true harmony, true existence is about us loving with one another.

This comes to us today as a reminder that our Lenten journey is about using these 40 days to make the 325 days that follow it – that is life – more meaningful and in harmony with others.

Practice charity today by providing a light to someone who is bitter with life. Push them out of the shadow and into the light. Fast today from superficial piety and understand that Christianity is about peace on Earth through the goodwill among people. Today’s must-try recipe is for Portobello-Seitan Hash, with a recipe in today’s show notes.

Let us pray the prayer of St. Nersess Shnorhali (23), “All merciful Lord, have mercy upon all your faithful, on those who are mine and those who are strangers to me, on those whom I know and those whom I do not know, on the living and on the dead, and forgive all my enemies, and those who hate me, the trespasses that they have committed against me, turn them from the malice which they bear towards me, that they may be worthy of Your mercy. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 12: Portobello-Seitan Hash

Split Arrow – Day 11 of 40

/0 Comments/in ,

Armodoxy for Today: Split Arrow Day 11 of Lent

When discussing saints, and in light of yesterday’s meditation on St. Gregory of Narek and his prayer, the question inevitably is asked, why do we need saints when we have Jesus as the ultimate example of living? And, in terms of intercessory prayer, why not pray directly to Jesus?

The questions are logical, indeed, but they are built on the assumption that the one excludes the other. Certainly, you can and should use Jesus as your guide. Certainly, you should pray directly to Jesus.

When we look at Jesus, we see the perfection of the Father. In Jesus, we see life lived without sin, without obstacles. In Richard Bach 1977 novel, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah, the main character flies his airplane and his windshield remains clean. That is, he avoids the need to scrape bugs off of the glass. Anyone who has driven any sizable number of hours knows that hitting bugs is inevitable. Gas-stops on the highways windshield cleaning fluids that are “effective on smashed bugs.” Imagine, being so perfect that you would miss the bugs completely. Or imagine an archer who could not help but hit the bullseye of a target. Each arrow she shot would hit the one she shot earlier and split right down the center. Now, that’s perfection! That’s part of the definition of the Divine.

Saints are people. They are not God, nor does the Church claim them to be. Pattern your life after Jesus’ life. You should. That’s what the saints did. They patterned their lives after Jesus, and with all of their frailties and imperfections they were able to rise above their humanity. They present a reachable goal and, for people in search of their own spiritual equilibrium, the stories of the saints offer hope.

Split the arrows, if you can. Don’t give up, if you can’t. The saints didn’t.

Your act of charity is to arrive at one hopeful event or occurrence in our world today. Fast from discouragement.

For roasted potato fans, we have a treat in today’s Lenten recipe (below).

Our prayer is from St. Gregory of Narek, If a pure hand lifts incense to you, may my voice join with the sound and sighs of prayers and reach you. If others’ petitions labor to be born with mine, may mine, thus multiplied, be rededicated to you. If this offering of the words of my soul be pleasing, may they be offered to you with those who have gone before… If the thread of hope is severed by the sword of transgression, may it be restored by the goodness of your almighty will. Amen. (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 11: Roasted Potato Fans!