The sermon begins “Today is Pentecost” followed by a story from the pages of the Book of Acts. We hear the story of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples, turning them into the evangelists for Christ’s Holy Church. What’s our take-away from this sermon? There was an event, on the 50th day after the Resurrection – pente, 50 – and with the reception of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles embarked on their sacred mission to evangelize the world.
This is what’s known as a history lesson in the guise of a sermon. The purpose of a sermon, unlike a history lesson, is to preach a lesson to the listener, a lesson which applies to their lives today. It was for this reason that Jesus promised the Disciples to send the Holy Spirit, so that they would not merely present Jesus as a figure of history, but as the Living God that affects and interacts with His children in their lives today, as He did 2000 years ago. Pentecost is the event that invites us to the holiness of the Church. It is in His Sacred Church, where that message is revealed.
When Jesus began his ministry, he invited the Disciple to “Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) At the end of his ministry on Earth he said to them, “Go and make disciple of all…” (Matthew 28:16-20) “Come” says Jesus to learn as my Disciples, “Go” says Christ to teach as my Apostles.
A simple but powerful prayer by St. Nersess Shnorhali reminds that the Holy Spirit has touched the Disciples and purified us by working and acting within us all. Today is a day to be receptive to the joy that fills our lives with godliness.
Spirit of God, true God, who descended on the river Jordan, and into the Upper Room; who enlightened me by the baptism of the Holy Font, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Purify me again with your divine fire, as the fiery tongues purified the Holy Apostles.
Have mercy upon your creatures, and on me, a sinner. Amen.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DALL·E-2024-05-19-22.11.51-van-gogh-style-painting-of-Mount-Ararat-with-an-Armenian-Church-in-the-foreground.png10241024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-05-20 00:01:042024-05-19 22:15:24Pentecost: Beyond History
As a kid I remember a commercial on television featuring a nice looking building. A voice asks, “Nice building, huh?” Then the camera zooms in to reveal cracks and chips that were painted over, and without skipping a beat the voice would divulge the truth, “…until you look up closely!” The body of the voice would then come on screen to plug some kind of texture coating that hid the scars of the building.
Usually things look nice from a distance, but upon a closer look the cracks start showing. The same holds true for religion. We will confine our discussion today to the Christian religion. One of the popular designations of Christianity that needs to receive a closer look is the term “non-denomination.” It is fairly popular these days because it is presented as a free-spirited version of Christianity. “Generally, non-denominational churches believe that the Bible is the sole authority that dictates every aspect of the church, with scripture shaping their beliefs and philosophies.” (source: christianministryedu.org)
Now, before taking a closer look, let’s remember the course we have travelled to get to this point. We went through a period of preparation called Lent. We celebrated the Resurrection, and then continued with the formation of the first Christian communities. Currently we are in that period between Ascension (40 days after Easter) and the Pentecost (50 days after Easter).
There is a reason the Church asks you to take this journey. When Jesus was crucified, there was no Bible. When he resurrected, there was no Bible. When he ascended, there was no Bible. In fact, there was no formal Bible for a few hundred years! However, at all those same events – crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and on into the formation of the communities –there was the Church!
Those who claim to be non-denominational say that they accept the Bible as the sole authority in matters of their faith. By their own admission, they have excluded themselves from major events of Christian history and development. History shows that everything we know about Jesus Christ has arrived to us because of His Holy Church.
God’s greatest gift to humanity was not the Bible. Much more important than the Bible is Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God the Father. Jesus’ gift to humanity was not the Bible, rather it was his holy and precious Body, namely the Church. And it was the Church that compiled the books together to give us what we refer to as the Bible.
The Armenian word for the Bible is Asdvadzashunch, which literally means the Breath of God. The Armenian Church refers to it as the “breath” because it guides us as spirit, not as a book of laws and regulations, along the path of Truth, Hope and Love.
The appeal of non-denominationalism is understandable in our world today, where everyone is given a platform to interpret. Often those interpretations create a derivative of Christ’s holy and sacred message. In other words, within the non-denominational category, you can have several hundred or thousand derivatives of the faith, which means, there is no such thing as non-denominational. Everyone’s reading creates a new denomination. This is why when we speak of the Armenian Apostolic Church, we are grounding ourselves in a Tradition that dates back to the time of Jesus Christ himself, that is, before there was a Bible.
At this feast of Pentecost – the Coming of the Holy Spirit and therefore the birthday of the Church – it is important to understand that the Armenian Church is not a Bible-centered community of believers; we are Christ centered. We make this proclamation unapologetically. Non-denominationalism is very nice looking, and appealing, but when you look up closely you notice the chips and the holes. Jesus set up his Church and it is guided by the Holy Spirit. In his unfailing words Jesus says, “The gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church!” (Matthew 16:18)
We conclude with a prayer from the Holy Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church: We thank you, Father almighty, who did prepare for us the holy Church as a haven, a temple of holiness, where the name of the holy Trinity is glorified. Alleluia. We thank you, Spirit of Truth, who renewed the holy Church. Keep her without blemish through the faith in the Trinity forevermore. Amen.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Gayane-Outside.jpg1000750Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-05-17 00:01:592024-05-17 13:02:57Pentecost: Non Denominationalism Up Close
A young girl in a parking lot Was preaching to a crowd Singing sacred songs and reading from the Bible Well, I told her I was lost And she told me all about the Pentecost And I seen that girl as the road to my survival…
~Paul Simon (Duncan)
The Pentecost is a turning point event in the life of the post-Resurrection Christian Community. While the word Pentecost alludes to the 50th day after Easter, let us refer to it by its Armenian names Hokegalust as it is more descriptive and, therefore, more meaningful for the Christian. Translated, Hokegalust means the coming of the Spirit. Jesus promised the Great Comforter. On this day, the promise is fulfilled. We read the story in the Book of Acts, chapter 2.
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they [the Disciples] were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? …we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
The first and most important take-away from this story is that the Uncreated Essence, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, the One that was floating above the Earth before time, the Holy Spirit, had landed upon this group of individuals – each from a different background – and was transforming them into a Community, which would eventually change the world. This is a sacred mission of the Church. It transforms the world because it has an understanding of peace, harmony among people, and the golden key that turns the locks to every door, namely, love. And it learned this from Love Incarnate, namely, Jesus Christ.
The Disciples were ordered to go to the world and spread the message of faith, hope and love. Thus, the Disciples turned into Apostles, meaning one who is sent. In Armenian, the word Arakyal (apostle = one who is sent) comes from the verb Arakel (to send).
The revolution starts now. Jesus came and he touched the Disciples and the people with his message, but it was on this day that his message was given the feet with which to walk and change the world.
From the 5th hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s prayer, we pray, Spirit of God, true God Who descended on the river Jordan and the Upper Room. Cleanse me once more with your divine fire, as the tongues of flame cleansed the Holy Apostles. Have mercy upon your creation, and on me, a sinner. Amen.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PICT0021.jpg7681024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-05-16 00:01:062024-05-15 22:15:51Coming of the Spirit
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies,” says Jesus, “It remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much harvest.”
This short proclamation could be a lesson directly out of a Botany 101 textbook. Jesus expresses metaphorically, the power of sacrifice. He alludes to himself and his death, which yielded the harvest of the church – a great harvest with churches and monasteries, the spreading of the message of love and light, schools, innovation, hospitals, artwork, music, and countless outreach programs during the last two millennia.
However, the axiomatic definition of a seed’s death yielding harvest is not confined to afterlife events. Think of a parent’s love, how sacrificial it can be. A mother or father, who sacrifices her or himself is the dying seed, and the harvest is great in the lives of their children.
Sacrificial love is Agape love, that is, it is defined by Christ in his action at the cross but can be found in the sacrifices made by others, with their lives and their talents. Parents, teachers, artists, physicians, caretakers are the obvious nominees for those who sacrifice, but caution, it’s not the action that defines sacrifice, but the spirit in which that action is performed.
Today we meditate on the sacrifices we make in our lives by heeding the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, who said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Wheat-at-Moush.jpg12461072Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-05-15 00:01:522024-05-14 20:41:48A Grain for Today
While candy and flowers seem to be the fare for honoring mothers, undoubtedly a visit – spending quality time – with mother, is always the best choice.
With mothers and motherhood fresh on our minds, and after yesterday’s lesson on the birth we experience through the womb of the Church, the following meditation seems most appropriate. Written by Hratch Tchilingirian, professor at Oxford College, it speaks to honoring this special mother in a most poetic and sensitive manner.
MAYRIG – in Armenian mom or grandma — is one of the sweetest words in the Armenian language. For a moment picture your grandma, look at her face and you see the story of life. Look at her face closely and you see wrinkles, furrows sculpted by tears and struggles; furrows where seeds of smile and blessings have grown; furrows where – through the blessings of Faith in God – miracles have happened in our lives. For a moment picture your grandma…
Our grandma, our Mayrig, was born a hundred years ago in America, to a humble immigrant family, who had seen suffering, genocide, blood and destruction… Yet, in her determination to pass her Faith to the children of her nation, she stood strong and gave life, spiritual strength to us all.
Despite her age, she is always young and living – but only through us and for our children’s sake. She prepares banquet and fellowship every Sunday… but today so few of her children come home to see her. So few come and pray with her for all the good things that God has blessed us with.
Her children have grown, some have forgotten her Faith and the values she passed on and many have disowned her. Yet, many have never forgotten her and love her dearly.
This lonely Mayrig is praying unceasingly for us, waiting for us, keeping the lamp light of our faith shining for us. She needs our hand and humility, she needs our love and sobriety. She is our Church, our Mother Church, our Mayrig. She is the bride of Christ and it is up to us to participate in the wedding celebration.
Don’t wait for a committee. Don’t wait for another meeting. Don’t wait to discuss her problems next month or next year. She needs you now. She is home waiting for you. She wants to pray with you, for her and together for all of us, for all her children. – Hratch Tchilingirian 1993
In the not-so-distance past, in a time before cell companies offered unlimited calling plans, the connection between two telephones cost money. The farther the distance between two points – between two callers – the higher the price of the call.
AT&T, which was once generically known as the phone company, kept statistics of calling patterns. The most telephone calls made were on Mother’s Day. And on Father’s Day, they reported the most collect calls were made! A collect call was one in which the charges were reversed from the caller to the called number. An interesting statistic which offers a look at the changing times, in many ways, including phone calls and gender roles.
On the second Sunday of May, we celebrate Mother’s Day in the United States. A beautiful tradition, indeed. The Hallmark greeting-card company offers us another tidbit of information that Mother’s Day ranks third in the number of cards sent in the US, and ranks number one for card exchange in the Hispanic community. Some cynically will point to Hallmark as fabricating this celebration, for profit motives.
The Church had a day on its calendar, from the early centuries, known at “Mothering Day.” On that day people would visit the church where they were baptized. There they would offer gifts of flowers, candles and incense to their spiritual mother, the Holy Church.
The font of baptism is known as the womb of the Church. We are “born again” from this womb to our Mother, the Holy Church. This is based on the scriptural exchange twixt Jesus and a man named Nicodemus who questioned, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3)
Today we pray, Lord our God, we thank you for the blessing of motherhood. We remember the mothers that have nourished us and led us in paths that bring us closer to You. Keep us ever respectful of all mothers especially our Holy Mother Church which has renewed us in a new life in Christ. Amen.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMAG0637-scaled.jpg25312560Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-05-13 00:01:352024-05-12 19:52:08A Second Womb
Chaotic life is difficult life. Chaos is characterized by random or unpredictable behavior. Hence, chaos carries a negative connotation because unpredictability leads to undesired results, disorganization and confusion. As people we opt for organization. The laws of gravity are organization on a large, astronomical scale, but on a human scale, we like things to fit properly and have order to them.
And then there’s life, which can be unpredictable, almost to the point of randomness, but not quite. In gambling casinos, slot machines are very popular, and though they are computerized and have schedule of payouts, we know that they are a very popular attraction as people try to beat the odds of a seemingly random spin of the wheels. In fact, most gambling games are based on certain formulas that include random factors, and yet the popularity of these games is a testament to people trying to beat the odds, or we can say, predict the unpredictable.
A chaotic life is a difficult life. Religion is a means of bringing order to the chaos by explaining the unexplainable. Something as beautiful as childbirth, for instance, is accompanied by excruciating pain. In the Book of Genesis, when God says to the woman, “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children…” (3:16) we find one such example of an explanation. With a curse by God, we receive an answer to the question of why does a lovely and natural event such as childbirth come with massive pain?
Much of life is filled with these puzzles, some are associated with the mundane, while others address issues of war, pain and suffering. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do good things happen to bad people? These twin questions usually stimulate people to seek answers in the spiritual world, in religion. There seems to be a random distribution of goods in the world. Why are some born to poverty and struggle through all of life, while others, of no effort of their own, are born in prosperity and seem to enjoy a life of luxury?
Religion gives, or should attempt to give, answers to these questions. At the end, the object is to bring order from seeming chaos.
In Christianity, the answer is given by Jesus Christ. His answer is pure and asks that we engage with Him in such a way that “Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” That engagement is the gravity that brings order to the chaos of our lives.
Today, by way of prayer, we read the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) – Jesus’ definition of a life lived with the order of God:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DALL·E-2024-05-09-23.17.55-order-from-chaos-expressed-with-vivid-colors-and-in-an-artistic-manner.png10241024Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2024-05-10 00:01:452024-05-09 23:20:31Beatitudes of Order
FORTY days after Easter, today, is the celebration of Ascension. Jesus gives the Great Commission to the disciples, telling them to baptize and keep the commandments he had taught them. Before Ascending to Heaven Jesus reminds us, “I am with you to the close of the ages,” (Matt. 28:20). He is with us forever!
We are comforted by these words, because we have come to know him – we have broken bread with him, laughed with him, cried with him, he has cared for us, healed us, tended to our problems. He has supported us in our vulnerability and our loneliness. We certainly receive much assurance and comfort from a pronouncement that he will always be with us. This is a nice reading from the point of view of the Disciples.
But what about the point of view of Jesus Christ? Have you considered that it was difficult for Jesus to leave us, and what assurance did he have from us? He was about to leave the children he had cared for. Would they stick to the game plan? Would they take on life the way he thought they would? Would they be safe? Would they stay faithful to all they had learned?
Perhaps the closest parallel might be with parents whose children leave home to start their life? You have cared for them, cleaned their wounds, helped them through the difficulties of childhood and adolescence and offered unconditional love. You’ve been a friend in their loneliness and let them lean on you during their most challenging moments. But there comes a time when they have to break off. It is the order of life. Every beginning has an end. Unless a mother bird backs off and allows her young to fall out of the nest, their wings will never spread to fly. And yes, there is chance that the young bird will fall onto the ground, but it will never test its capability of flight until it tries to catch the wind.
A parent who gives their child in marriage may worry; will my child make it? Or, a parent may believe that their upbringing, the foundation they laid, will give the child the ground from where the family tree will grow and blossom. I suspect, this is the feeling Jesus had when he left his children on that Ascension Day, knowing that they were going to meet all kinds of challenges in life, but confident that his prayers, his love and his connection to God gave his children the necessary tools to take on life.
“Lo, I am with you to the end of the ages.” Of course. We have no doubt. And neither did he.
Today, I share a prayer by Yeretsgin Susan on the occasion of our son’s wedding:
Lord, we thank You for Your heavenly benediction in joining our son, and now daughter, in the sacrament of marriage.
Bless and enrich their marriage in love, companionship, mutual support, oneness of heart and progress in faith and life.
Protect their holy wedlock from sin, evil and danger. Foster between them the spirit of understanding, the spirit of forgiveness, and the spirit of peace, that no resentment, quarrel or other problems may cause them to stumble and fall.
Remind them of the lessons they have learned from their loved ones, especially those who have returned to their Maker. Grant them to see their own faults and to not judge each other. Keep their bond of love always new. May they feel Your presence in their lives through the joy of marriage, that with one heart they may praise and glorify You forever.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Cover: Water color, The Ascension from the Jesus POV
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Immediately after the Resurrection of Christ, Scripture tells us that Jesus appeared to the disciples “Over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1)
The Kingdom of God is often thought of as something or some place that is accessible only after we pass from this life. Jesus refers to the Kingdom as something accessible in the here and now. “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” was a message John the Baptist heralded even before Christ’s baptism. It was enacted by Christ and the active Church today.
Access to the Kingdom is available for everyone. The condition is to live a life of love demonstrated by action. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom predicated on our actions of readiness and good deeds. Standards of goodness have no limits for Jesus, as is demonstrated in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). Even more, non-action is grounds for expulsion from the Kingdom.
We read: Then the King will say to those on His left…, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed… for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ … He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
The world we live in is real. The problems that plague it are under our control. We are the agents of Christ. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, happens with our involvement. You can’t close yourself off from the suffering in the world.
We pray, St. Nersess Shnorhali’s 9th hour of prayer, All-provident Lord, place a guard before my eyes, so that I may not look lustfully, before my ears, not to delight in hearing evil discourses, before my mouth, not to speak falsehood, before my heart, not to think of wickedness, before my hands, not to commit injustice, before my feet, not to walk on the paths of righteousness; rather, guide my motives, that they may be according to all your commandments. Amen.
Cover: Once you see it, it’s impossible to not see it. (Quite literally too!)
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Every Sunday, during the Divine Liturgy of the Armenian Church, the celebrant priest, descends from the altar area and processes around the inner circumference of the church. As he walks by the congregants, he holds a cross in one hand and censes fragrant incense with the other.
There are a variety of reactions to his presence in the congregation. Some lower their head to ask for a blessing, while others kiss the cross in the priest’s hand out of reverence. Others smile and acknowledge his presence. Still, others watch as he goes by, not interested in engaging in any manner. And of course, for those who are not there at that moment, the opportunity to interact is lost because the priest processes through the church and ascends back to the altar area to continue the Liturgy.
This part of the Divine Liturgy, symbolizes Christ’s descent from the comfort of heaven to live, walk and be among us, after which he ascended back to heaven. During Jesus’ life, there were people who sought him for miracles and healings, while others engaged with him for a blessing and merely to touch his garment. And, of course, for many, the opportunity to be made whole was there and they let him pass by.
In life, there are moments that are singular and they demand our interplay at that moment, otherwise, they go by. Sometimes, events demand that we interact.
Today a genocide takes place. Ethnic cleansing is the plot. To stay quiet and/or to ignore the horror, is an opportunity lost.
We pray, Heavenly Father, I see pain and suffering in this world. I have walked that path in the past. I said, Never Again. Today, grant me the courage to speak out against evil everywhere, so that I may have the moral authority to voice myself whenever evil confronts me. Amen.
