Labor Goals

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Armodoxy for Today: Labor Day

Here in the United States we celebrate Labor Day today, the first Monday of September. In other countries there are comparable holidays such as Worker’s Day, but the American holiday differs a bit in that it focuses on the labor, the work, that a person does.

In our society, that labor produces income and accumulated income brings financial rewards, which can, and does, skew our sense of true values. Money becomes a goal rather than a means to the goal.

Christ invites us to a productive life. Whether by way of his metaphor of grapes and grapevines, expressed in John 15, or by way of the Parable of the Talents, as presented in Matthew 25, where he encourages us to exploit the talents that God has given each of us. Large or small, few or many, each person has talents that need to be found. An appropriate search for the Labor Day holiday.

Today, one minute for Summertime.

Jesus closer than you think

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Armodoxy for Today: Closer than you think

A pious Christian will certainly jump at the chance to help, or even interact, with Christ. For many, Christ is only a person appearing in history, and so, it is safe to want come to his aid. If I were there at the time of the crucifixion, I certainly would have stood up against his accusers or torturers.

Of all the challenges Jesus offers to participate in the Kingdom, there is no invitation as clear as the one he offers when he says, “I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’… For inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25)

No need to time travel to meet Jesus, he’s all around us.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Evil via the Moon Metaphor

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Armodoxy for Today: Evil via the Moon Metaphor

God’s invitation to participate in the fullness is life is often questioned in the face of evil. The “Problem of Evil” is the question of “Why evil?” especially with the tradition of a good and omnipotent God?  While religion has presented an assortment of solutions to the Problem of Evil – known as theodicies – sadly, it has also fired up people to point accusing fingers to others as the authors of evil.

A quick glance at the moon on any clear night might help in providing an answer. The moon’s pocked-marked surface is credited to its lack of an atmosphere. Space objects have hit its surface, and the result Is evident. As for the Earth, we have an atmosphere protecting us from rocks and boulders that disintegrate on their way down. The price of this protection, we have to deal with atmospheric catastrophes such storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and the like. It’s all part of the deal.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Worship

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Armodoxy for Today: Worship

Worship is often looked at as an extra bit of religiosity in the Christian experience. Implied in worship and the language of worship is often feelings of purpose, that is to please God. Much of the Old Testament contributes to this feeling that has traces of the pagan rituals to please the gods, and avoid their wrath.

Worship is your acceptance of Christ’s invitation, to participate in life. Worship in the Armenian Church, contrary to everything you may have heard or felt, is a celebration. It takes place in the presence of God and all the saints, and unites us with all others who participate in the worship throughout the world, as one Christian family. Here we lose the self and understand ourselves as part of the bigger collective, with responsibilities toward our families, communities and the world.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Cover: Etchmiadzin Congregation, Gregory Beylerian, 2014

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.