Lighting Up

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Road to Healing – Lenten Journey 2014
Day 4:
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Awareness implies acceptance. Acceptance leads to awareness. A physician will shine a light in your throat, or your ear to get a better reading of your body’s suffering. This lighting of the darkness is part of the diagnostic process.

Coming to terms with our illness is key to complete and lasting recovery. If you think of all conflicts in the world and throughout history, whether on a personal level or on a global level, the only time they are resolved is when there is an honest acceptance and expression of the problem. Equally true, if the ills are not expressed, conflicts remain unresolved and healing is impossible. It’s simple, isn’t it? Before you treat, you diagnosis. To treat, you need to shine the light as diagnostic method. You find the problem, you study it and you apply the fix. And if you don’t follow this order… well take a look at the world. We are plagued by endless wars, conflicts and disease because we don’t address the root issues of hatred, prejudice, greed, vengeance and materialism and instead we treat the superficial wounds of extinguishing a fire here and ending a conflict there. We treat young children struggling with cancer and turn our head to the carcinogens and toxins we pump into our environment that breaks down the health of even the healthiest of creation. In our personal life the same holds true. We treat the cough and not the smoking addiction, or we make up with someone and ignore the anger which caused the schism. Remember, the Lenten diet is not about losing weight or about healthy living, its purpose is to discipline the self, where control and self-worth are strengthened. Modern science is only now catching up to where the Church has led us through the centuries, in identifying that healing implies spiritual wellbeing as well as physical. Healing is a coordination of mind, body and soul in a working relationship that yields health – complete and lasting.

The underlying issues that surface in the form of disease and dysfunction in our life are the target of our healing. Coming to terms with our illness, means a methodical identification (diagnosis) of the underlying issues and causes. Then we can properly target the enemy – through our prayers and mediations – and find a real prognosis that leads to complete healing.

At the doctor’s office, the physician will usually shine a light in our throat, or ear to get a better understanding of our body’s suffering. Today, we begin to shine the light into the inner workings of our life. Today, we come to terms with our illness, that is, we are ready to inspect the underlying causes in the light. The journey is about to get uncomfortable, but we are ready.

Remember the man at the pool? He was in his comfort zone until Jesus summoned him to accept his illness. In so doing, he was forced to stop the excuses. He had to come to terms with his insecurities and take responsibility for his own welfare. This is called lighting up the darkness.

It takes courage and strength to light up some of those dark spots. Before we begin doing so, I offer this prayer from the 12th Century St. Nersess Shnorhali for all of us on this journey.

I confess with faith and adore You, O Light indivisible, creator of light and dispeller of darkness. Dispel from my soul the darkness of sin and ignorance, and at this hour enlighten my mind, that I may pray to You according to Your will, and receive from You the fulfillment of my supplications. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner. Amen

I look forward to meeting with you tomorrow as we begin to explore our lives with the lights on and with the Light guiding us. Until then, this is Fr. Vazken praying for the Light that dispels darkness and brings complete healing.

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Seize the Opportunity

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Road to Healing – Lenten Journey 2014
Day 3:
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“Yes, I want to be healed,” said the invalid. He had answered the invitation to become aware of his condition.

According to the Evangelist John, there was a magical pool in Jerusalem where people lined up to be healed. It was said that an angel of the Lord at

certain seasons would stir up the water and the first person who entered the pool at that time would be healed of his or her disease.

Jesus, saw a man there who had been suffering of a chronic disease. For over 38 years he had been waiting for a cure. He confessed to Jesus that because of his condition he was too slow to jump into the water when it was stirred and someone inevitably beat him into the water. “I have no one to put me into the water when it is stirred.”

Yesterday we were challenged by the question, “Do you want to be healed?” Of course we do. It was important that we articulated our wish with the words, “Yes, I want to be healed.” Today we find that equally important to articulating our wish is to rid ourselves of the notion that our healing is dependent on someone else taking advantage of the opportunity.

Like the man at the pool, it is easy for us to believe that our healing is dependent on someone else initiating the process. Perhaps a friend or a loved one? Perhaps we’re relying on a business associate who will introduce us to “right” people so we can get ahead? Or we might be waiting for an estranged partner to give the signal that he or she is ready to take us back? In the case of physical disease, we might put all of our trust and faith in a doctor who is a specialist in the field of our illness? We go after wonder drugs that promise weight loss or smoking cessation; we turn to courses and even equipment that will improve our condition. We wait for programs that will lower our payments and give us financial success. And if we don’t have that person, that thing or that program, it’s only natural that we blame them for our situation: “I have no one to place me in the water when it is stirred.” Actually, the people, things and events are the opportunities in our lives. They are not the ones or things that can initiate the healing process for us. It is up to us to want the healing and then to act.

“There’s no one to put me in the water when opportunity comes,” said the man and Jesus paid no attention to that. It didn’t matter. No, Jesus did not place the man in the water; instead he healed him because Jesus himself was the healing. He gave the man a new opportunity and the water, the angel and the magic pool became irrelevant to this man’s healing process. In the same way, we look for wonders and miracles, we search for inspiration and people who can move us to freedom, when in reality the only one who can initiate the process of healing is us, ourselves. Only you can take advantage of the opportunity for healing and it begins with the simple awareness of wanting to be healed.

“Rise, take up your bed and walk,” said Jesus to the man, after he articulated and became aware of his own shortcomings.

On this third day of Lent, the challenge is to look within and without, to find the opportunities that are around us. Ignore the obstacles. Find the opportunities that follow your awareness statement, Yes, I want to be healed.

I look forward to continuing on this journey with you tomorrow, when we explore the opportunities for healing. Until then, this is Fr. Vazken, praying with you for the strength to say, Yes I want to be healed.

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Awareness

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Road to Healing – Lenten Journey 2014
Day 2:
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The Evangelist John tells the story of a magical pool in Jerusalem where people who struggled with afflictions would go in hopes of finding a cure for their ails. These were people who were sick, blind, lame and even paralyzed. They came to this pool with the desire to be healed. One day as Jesus is passing by, he notices an invalid – a man who had been ill for over 38 years. He was just lying there waiting for a miracle.

Jesus approaches the man and asks him, “Do you wish to get well?” Now think about this scene for a moment. Jesus – known for healing and miraculously making people well – approaches a man who is obviously in need of healing. Not only is he immobile, but his illness is chronic. He’s been in this condition for 38 years. If there’s ever a “No-duh” moment, this is it! Of course, he wanted to be healed. It is so obvious and yet Jesus, before healing him to complete health, stops and asks him, “Do you wish to be well?”

Awareness is the first step on the road to recovery. From this story, note that it is not a question of the man being aware of his disease, rather it’s his awareness of wanting to be healed that is called into question.

When we first encounter pain and later are overcome by it – whether that pain is physical or emotional – we will do anything and everything to rid ourselves of the hurt. The pain relievers we take come in a wide variety of forms and doses. From simple aspirin to hard narcotics, to outlets of violence, sex, money, food, leisure, manipulation, and power, we find ways of escaping the pain, only to find that we’ve treated merely symptoms and not the cause of our illness. Tragically, the pain relievers can easily become a way of life and we find ourselves in comfort-zones. That is, we know things aren’t right, but we’re comfortable. It’s easy to stay in these spots – indulging in our habits and avoiding the true causes of our disease.

Jesus did not ask the man, “Do you want a crutch?” Instead he asks the question we must ask ourselves. Do you want to be healed? Are you ready to become whole? The answer to this question gives us a unique awareness of not the symptoms but the cause of our problems.

On this second day of the Road to Healing, our prayer is for sincerity, that God open our heart so that we can answer the question “Do you want to be healed?” without fear. The road to recovery – whether from physical disease, broken relationships or issues of self-worth – is not an easy one. It’s a challenge. Answering YES to this question sets the course for the rest of the journey.

Yes, I want to be healed! These are the words of today’s meditation. Repeat these words in the silence of your heart. If you’re able, share the words with a loved one. The road to recovery and healing has begun.

I look forward to continuing on this journey with you tomorrow, when we will step even closer to an awareness of our challenges. Until then, this is Fr. Vazken, praying with you for the strength to say, Yes I want to be healed.

Reference – Gospel of St. John Chapter 5

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Road to Healing – Lenten Journey 2014

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Road to Healing – Lenten Journey 2014
Day 1:
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As I awoke from my surgery, still groggy, I made out the words “Faith Healer.” The words were coming from the TV above my hospital bed. I had no energy to make out what was going on. I’d rather channel that strength to the button next to my IV. Ah, morph away the pain… I was out.

I awoke a bit later. This time my family was in the room. I made it through the operation and now on the road to recovery. The button next to the IV was there to ease the pain, the nurse told me. The TV was still on.

In that room, we exchanged smiles and thankful expressions that the worst was over.

“Snake Handler Dies.” The voice sounded familiar. I looked up at the TV; the same station was on and it sounded like the same faith-healer story. A snake handler in Kentucky had died after playing with a poisonous rattler. It was the kind of news story that gets blurted out throughout the day. Obviously it was slow-news day. “He said God would save him,” announced a commentator. Then there’s the visual – the pastor praising God, while the snake wrapped around the arm. Next, microphones are extended into the mouths of family members covered by the printed-subtitles, “Cody Coots, 21, says his father’s death was “God’s way” of taking him home.”

Even in my grogginess I made the connection to the referenced passage. I had read it several times. It’s a Jesus quote, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17&18) I guess it didn’t need to be slow-news day for this story to be broadcast. And I don’t think it was my drugged-state that allowed me to hear the message they were projecting. The commentators did not say it as such, but I could hear them reporting, “Man puts his faith in God. God disappoints. Jesus promises. Jesus does not deliver.”

For the next couple of days while I lay in the hospital bed this news item was repeated by commentators on various networks. There was the story of the initial bite, then the reaction of the parishioners, the debate about religious freedom – you know, the one about allowing God to intervene – and ultimately the question of God: Is He a personal God who cares about His creation? If He does, why does it appear He cares for some and not for others?

Of course, there are so many other questions when it comes to healing. Does healing come from within or without? What is the interaction, if any, between the physical, emotional and spiritual realms of life in the healing process? What about the big diseases, such as cancer? What about emotional duress caused by hatred and betrayal? Is healing always possible? If so, how can I tap into that healing?

Today is the first day of a 40 day journey – it is a Lenten Journey. It is one I call “A Time to Heal.” I invite you take it with me.

We’re all looking for healing, whether it’s to be healed of the pains of the body or the hurt from a relationship gone sour. Whether we’re struggling with emotions that have us off balance or we’re looking for reconciliation with our life choices, healing is the name of the journey we take. The Lenten period is the perfect time to slow down and listen to the voice within. Whether you’re morphing away your pain, or you’re cold-stone sober when you hear the words “Faith Healer” you know there’s something more needed than a Band-Aid to bring complete healing to the wounds of life.

Each day, we will explore a dimension of healing, drawing many Traditions, the teachings of Christ, the wisdom of the sages, the connections conveyed by the mystics and of course, the unique brand of expression we’ve come to know through Armodoxy. Each day during this 40 day journey will bring us closer to the promised health of body, soul and mind. So welcome to Lenten Journey 2014: Time to Heal.

Link in today’s story: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/16/us/snake-salvation-pastor-bite/

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

St. Vartan: Battlefield Arizona

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Next Step #299 – February 27, 2014

St. Vartan’s battle is one that gets defined in 2014 as we react to religious intolerance. Fr. Vazken brings home the message in this timely and relevant broadcast. Homosexuality and the tolerance of Christ – as we are all one in Christ – it’s a believe or not statement. Looking for parody and the folk songs to open the dialogue about change and revolution. Watch out debutantes! The power of language along with a quick run to Guitar Center with Gor – all in this episode.
Song: “Sassoun” by Hovhaness Badalian
Lenten Journey: https://epostle.net/lent/ 
Lenten Page: http://armenianorthodoxy.org/lent/index.html
Armodoxy Blog
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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A Time for Balance

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Next Step #297 – February 13, 2014

Better than bonfires, here’s an approach to Candlemass “Diaruntarch” that challenges the listener to meditate and make the presentation a connection to Faith today. On the power of love while feeding the homeless.
Song: “Turn, Turn, Turn” by Mary Hopkins
Pilgrimage to Armenia & Ararat 
Homeless Feed at Ascensia
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Evolving to a Better Creation

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Next Step #296 – February 6, 2014

With some needles sticking out of his arms, Fr. Vazken shares the ancient Faith with nurses, and takes a look at the Creation/Evolution debate which is tragically being taken in a literal format (Nye vs. Hem). No worries: he’s not drugged. This is about understanding metaphor and respecting science. It’s about evolving to a better form of Creation. It’s about creating an Evolution which accounts for all of us. More on “managing the fulcrum” – the untapped power of Christianity in our lives. Also – stories of 50 years ago, the Beatles, Dad and Seeroon – all in this Next Step.
Song: “Besame Mucho” by the Beatles
Debate Nye vs. Hem on NPR
The Debate on YouTube
Seeroon Darer
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Midwinter Blues

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Next Step #295 – January 30, 2014

A midwinter look at the week. Stories from Datev Outreach – celebrating the first anniversary and discovering the evolutionary process of thought and belief. Peter walking down the beach and us in his shoes, we find an uncomfortable comfort regarding sexuality. Explore with Fr. Vazken in this session of the Next Step.
Song: “Es Kisher Loosnyag Kisher” – Datevik
Datevik at the Eastern Diocese
Song: “Dogs of Midwinter” by Jethro Tull
Datev Outreach
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Las Vegas Jackpot: You be the judge

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Next Step #294 – January 23, 2014

A trip to Las Vegas yields a jackpot that Fr. Vazken shares with the listeners in this episode. Topics: The liberating message of Jesus Christ; Understanding the worship life of Orthodoxy – the distribution of the Savior Jesus Christ through the Holy Eucharist; The Business Plan for the Church, Lessons from a Catholic broadcaster: ships and rafts. Getting a fisheye at the raffle. Mary & Martha at the Church. Be a winner too!
Song: Armenian Mirror by Gor Mkhitarian
Sermon in Las Vegas
Inside the Pomegranate #28 
Catholic Channel on Satellite Radio
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Tempe, Arizona

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Comments at LA County Gathering (MLK)

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Opening Remarks at the Clergy Prayer Breakfast organized by Sheriff Lee Baca at the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, on January 10, 2014 by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Distinguished Clergy and guest,

On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, I welcome to the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, headquarters of the Armenian Church in the Western United States. It is a unique honor for us to host this gathering of clergy, faith leaders and people of faith, who gather around the common theme of freedom, peace and justice. Furthermore, today we have an opportunity to honor Sheriff Lee Baca (who most recently announced his retirement from the Department). It is appropriate to do so at this gathering, for in fact, it was Sheriff Baca, who shortly after being sworn into office brought together religious leaders throughout the County. Sheriff Baca has advocated for community policing and he saw a need for religious leaders to partner with the members of the Department to address community concerns. This annual gathering is a result of his efforts and leadership.


This may be the first time many of you have come into an Armenian Church. I’d like to bring to your attention some of the nuances of the church building. While it is a fairly new sanctuary, it is built in accord with traditional Armenian architecture – one of the most ancient of Christian traditions. You’ll notice the pictures and icons of saints throughout the building. What you don’t see is that each pillar, wall, and area of this sanctuary is consecrated and dedicated in the name of a saint. I mention this because saints are not God, nor are they endowed with godly powers. They are people, with all of the human frailties, and have faced challenges, oppression, suffering, but they have risen to the occasion and shined a light of hope a midst the darkness. In other words, they give us – you and me – hope. You expect perfection from a god, but when a person in the midst of torment and suffering is able to rise to the occasion, it signals an opportunity for us to excel and achieve. That is, we are empowered with the knowledge and confidence to know that we too can achieve the seemingly impossible.

As an Armenia, I can attest to this miraculous power. Armenia is a small/tiny, land-locked country, at the crossroads of three continents. Its history is almost exclusively one of wars, terror and even genocide. The power of love has been the only constant and the only weapon that has insured its survival. It may sound strange and certainly paradoxical to someone without faith, but as these saints will attest with their lives, it is true.

How blessed are we this morning to have examples that we can touch today, not only in the walls and paintings, but examples that are fresh in our memory. Just last Summer we commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington and the words which shook the world challenging each of us, and our nation collectively, to dream of and to realize justice through racial harmony. Only last month, we marked the passing of Nelson Mandela, an icon of freedom. In him we found a man who fought and won against the powers of evil with love and forgiveness.

Now, I wish to remind our gathering today, that Dr. King, in his writings and his speeches never hesitated to mention that he was a minister of the Gospel. He gave meaning to the “REVEREND” title at the beginning of his name. He was a man of God. How fortunate are we to find ourselves at this time in history with such great reminders of compassion, healing, forgiveness and love. These are models that give us all a change to look forward in hope.

Our gathering today is at the beginning of a new year. With the New Year comes newness. Sure, it’s merely a date on the calendar, but it’s a convenient opportunity for us to take an inventory of our work, to look back with introspection and forward with hopes and dreams. Today is that opportunity for us to join in fellowship and solidarity with members of the faith community, to make a difference in our communities and surroundings.

But let us also be aware of the trapping of time. The New Year is here, but that doesn’t mean things will be new, unless we so move to make them new. Dr. King repeatedly told us that bringing about justice – and therefore peace – cannot wait. The time is always right for peace, harmony and understanding. Writing to his colleagues, from the Birmingham jail, Rev. King warned them and therefore us, to avoid a misconception of time.

“… It comes from the strangely rational notion that there is something in the very flow of time that will inevitably cure all ills. Actually, time itself is neutral… . Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be co-workers with God, and without this ‘hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.”

It is in this spirit that we gather this morning, as faith leaders, to become worthy co-workers with God. Thank you for attending. Let us move forward with our program…