The conversation that takes place before the Transfiguration, includes an invitation by Jesus. “If anyone desires to come after Me,” he says, “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
It is not necessarily an attractive invitation. In fact, it has a rather painful call in it: the cross. Here Jesus is calling us to a higher standard by which to live, a life of sacrifice, which can only be achieved once the ego is in check. With self-denial, we open ourselves to the joy of living. It might not have been an appealing offer for the disciples, but those who took him up on the offer saw in the Transfigured Jesus, salvation from the cares of this world.
In the context of the lessons of this past week, Jesus remarks, bring it all into focus: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16)
Today’s one-minute for Summertime.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GourgenCross.jpg540375Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2026-07-16 00:10:192026-07-15 21:29:38Invitación a la Transfiguración
Jesús nos dice que los invitados al Gran Banquete tenían excusas para rechazar la invitación (Lucas 14). No hay razón para cuestionar la sinceridad de los invitados, y podemos asumir que cada excusa era una razón legítima para no asistir. Es posible que algunos inventaran una excusa solo para no ir, mientras que otros realmente tenían otro evento al cual asistir. De cualquier manera, al final, no asistieron a la reunión.
An old Armenian tale has a man approaching his neighbor to borrow his neighbor’s rope. The neighbor says, “I’m sorry, but I’m using my rope to tie the water.” Puzzled, the man asks, “How can you possibly tie water with a rope?” To which, the neighbor replies, “If I don’t want to lend you my rope, I can use any excuse that I’d like!” Indeed, each person has an excuse. The point of the parable is not to question the reasons, only to note that they each refused.
None of the invitees even tried to attend. Their excuses were all before the banquet began. It would have been quite another story had they entered the banquet and then made the decision to leave or not attend. Perhaps the hors d’oeuvres were not tasty. Or the aroma coming out of the kitchen was not pleasing. Or, even worse, they tasted a sample of the food and they realized they made a mistake. They had all made their decision to not attend on information they had that wasn’t pertinent to the banquet itself. Jesus, sets up this scenario where the invitees refuse before attending or tasting the meal. They didn’t even get to the hors d’oeuvres, they just refused to attend.
Issues of faith are personal. We can all chose to accept or reject an invitation to faith, to a religion, to Jesus or to God. More often than not, rejecting faith comes about because of preconceived notions that we have about God, and faith. It is popular to dismiss these items by saying, I am spiritual, not religious, but in fact, this is merely a play on words. Taking some time to delve into faith, as you are doing by following this series, gives you a fresh look at things. Armodoxy is about the ancient Christian Faith, but through the lens of our lives today. Armodoxy is about celebrating the life that God has given us by understanding our relationship to a loving and caring Creator. We begin to realize that God is not as is presented in the movies, but God is one who is interacting with us, because we are interacting with Him. That is, until you accept the invitation, you are outside of the Banquet. You can’t possibly partake of the meal if you’re not there. The invitation is given by God. While you may have your doubts and fears because of what you’ve been told God is, Armodoxy offers you a seat at the table to witness for yourself the beauty of the Kingdom.
En la Divina Liturgia de la Iglesia Armenia, justo antes de participar en la Sagrada Comunión, se canta un himno de invitación: ճաշակեցէք և տեսէք զի քաղցր է Տեր = Gustad y ved que el Señor es bueno. Probar y encontrar la dulzura del Señor solo puede experimentarse al sentarse en el banquete.
Mañana continuamos nuestro viaje de Adviento, mientras observamos lo que sucede después de haber participado en el Gran Banquete. Espero que me acompañes.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Man-looking-into-the-Banquet-Hall-850-e1765343872672.jpg765770Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-12-10 00:01:032025-12-09 21:18:10Tristeza antes de la cena
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.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Homeless-Matthew-25-772.jpg11251125Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2025-08-29 00:01:492025-08-28 19:37:34Jesús más cerca de lo que piensas
La Parábola del Gran Banquete (Lucas 14:12-24) termina con las palabras: “Porque les digo que ninguno de aquellos hombres que fueron invitados probará mi cena”. Y ahora, te encuentras sentado a la mesa, y la única razón por la que estás aquí es porque has aceptado la invitación. Estás en el Banquete al que se hace referencia como “Bienaventurado el que coma en el banquete en el reino de Dios”. Eres bienaventurado. Estás en el banquete. Y ahora, echemos un vistazo a nuestro alrededor.
Hasta ahora hemos observado a otros que rechazaron la invitación. El desafío de Armodoxy consiste en ponerte a ti mismo dentro de la parábola. Es fácil mirar a los personajes de una parábola y ver las faltas de los demás, pero el cristiano está llamado a verse a sí mismo en la dinámica de la parábola. Esta ubicación es un ejercicio de autoevaluación. Por ello, encontramos una de las razones importantes de la temporada de Adviento: estar preparados emocional y espiritualmente para aceptar al Creador del Universo en medio de nosotros. Cristo nace y es revelado, ese es el mensaje de la Navidad.
Ahora estás en la Mesa. Ve más allá preguntándote: ¿de qué maneras he respondido a la invitación de tomar asiento? La verdadera invitación es al Reino de los Cielos. Dios nos pide —nos invita— a valorar la vida, valoramos nuestros autos, nuestros hogares, nuestros negocios, hasta el punto de dejar a nuestros hijos en espera mientras perseguimos la riqueza material. Dios nos pide —nos invita— a buscar la paz. Construimos armas más grandes y mejores. Eliminamos las opciones de trabajar juntos para encontrar armonía y solo encontramos formas de construir fronteras y barreras. Dios nos pide —nos invita— a amarnos unos a otros y cuidar de los demás. Nosotros decimos que no a todos. Establecemos nuestros estándares de modo que el amor no sea incondicional.
En otras palabras, la invitación al Banquete es una invitación al Reino de Dios. Responder a la invitación es una oportunidad para que cada uno de nosotros escuche verdaderamente con atención las respuestas de nuestro corazón.
La parábola trata de compartir el amor de Dios y el reino de Dios con todos. Todos tienen el mismo acceso. Hoy nos sentamos a la Mesa y miramos a nuestro alrededor, agradecidos de estar aquí y aumentando nuestra conciencia del amor, la tolerancia, la búsqueda de la paz y el amor por la vida que nos ha traído hasta aquí. La gracia y la misericordia de Dios nos han dado acceso a esta hermosa oportunidad; mañana veremos el precio por sentarse a esta Mesa. Es elevado, pero también es muy gratificante.
Acompáñame en oración: Refugio y esperanza todopoderoso y benevolente de los débiles y afligidos, mi Señor y mi Dios, que creaste todo de la nada. Acércate a mí con Tu misericordia inefable, pues muestras compasión a quienes te anhelan y los sanas a través de Tu benevolencia. Hazme digno de la Mesa de la Inmortalidad, para unirme en oración a quienes te adoran, pues a Ti te corresponde la gloria, el dominio y el honor, ahora y siempre, Amén.
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Daily-Message-Advent-Cover.jpg12751650Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2022-12-15 00:01:592022-12-14 22:32:33Distribución de asientos para el banquete
