Signs Around Us

Armodoxy for Today: The Signs Around Us

Mr. Gaspar is a sculptor. He works in the courtyard of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank.  For years I have watched him as he turns slabs of stone into ornamental creations. Figures, historic characters, churches and religious symbols take form in his hands.

As I watch the evolution of the stone into art I wonder if it is in hand of the sculptor that they take form, or are the art pieces already there in the stone waiting for the sculptor to chisel it out? My question goes to the huge structures such as the monasteries of Armenia or the ultimate riddle of Geghard, which is a monastery bore out of a side of a mountain. Was that monastery always there waiting to be carved out? Or did the sculptors envision the monastery and chiseled accordingly? Realize also, that on a mountain of that size and a monastery with so many rooms, there is no room for mistakes.

The questioning may sound odd, but if you look at the story wedding feast described in the second chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, there is a parallel set of questions. The story where Jesus changes water into wine ends with, This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (2:11) This is recorded as the first of the signs that would bring people to Him. More importantly, the author points to the fact that because of these signs people believed in Him. This correlation between signs and followings is one that I struggle with as a priest trying to engage people in a higher understanding – a maturity – of faith.

The so called “supernatural events” such as changing the molecules of water to wine, or walking on water without sinking, or quieting a storm, or healing a leper, giving sight to a blind man, or resurrecting the dead, seem to the be the attractions that always are thrown out as proof that Jesus is person we say that He is. Instead, if we accept Him as who He is, then these are not supernatural events, rather very natural for God. In so understanding, the very natural events around us become testaments to the grandeur of God and the sacredness of life. A seed placed in ground draws life from nutrients, water and the Sun, becomes a tree and bears fruit to feed a population. Two cells meet and develop into a unique life form that is defined by its molecular make up and personality, with a set of fingerprints unlike anyone else’s in history. Philosophers have pondered numbers and cosmologies; mathematics have defined physical laws that lay the groundwork for the machinery to fly with the birds and now propel humanity to explore the stars and life systems. Each of these are worthy of our wonder and awe, that is, each of these are miracles. The maturity of faith is in our understanding that God is inside each of us, as the soul He breathes into us, attests. In that understanding of God within us, the road to peace can be assured.

Armodoxy is a testament to a group of people who discovered and celebrated the miracle, the wonder and the excitement of everyday life and so understood that God is never apart from us.

From the Armenian Church’s Book of Hours, Lord of hosts, commit our souls to the angel of peace, who will come and keep us tranquil by day and night, while awake and resting. Grant that we pass the rest of the night in peace, and arrive at the service of the morning, to offer worship and glory to the Holy Trinity. Now and forever and ever. Amen

Cover Photo: Sculptures at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, photo