Tag Archive for: Adam and Eve

Expelled Again – Day 7 of 40

Armodoxy for Today: Expelled Again – Day 7 of 40

This first Sunday of Lent is called “Expulsion Sunday” as it recalls God expelling humankind from Paradise as presented in the Book of Genesis. While it’s tempting to discuss the dynamics between God, Adam, Eve and the Serpent, it also defeats the purpose of Lent. That is, since it is not to be taken literally, the details of the story are not as important as the message it conveys. The essence of the story is that humanity walks away from the rules of God. By looking at the message of the story we put ourselves into the equation and understand ourselves to be the ones who break the rules.

God says love one another, we say, not everyone. God says care for one another, we say, only to those that give us something in return. God says love your neighbor as yourself,  we say, we’ll build bombs and ensure that our weapons are big enough to fend them off. God says, value the family and value life, and we say, the dollar can buy us more. God says, enjoy the life I have given you, we say, I will with drugs, alcohol and wastefulness. God say, take care of the world I gave you, we say, who cares, pollution and dwindling resources are problems for the next generations to worry about it. God says, worship Me, and we say, I’ve got better things to do. God says, know Me, and we ask, where’s the profit?  

You see, the story of Expulsion, or that of Adam and Eve, is about humanity going against the natural flow of life that is created by God. We ourselves, with our actions are the reason for our expulsion from Paradise.

May today’s charity begin at home: Listen to the words of God and do them. Fast from desires that move you away from God.

Now treat yourself to today’s meal, Mushroom Ragu, the recipe is in the show notes.

We pray from St. Gregory of Narek, (24) What am I worthy to ask of you in prayer? May I pray for paradise, from which I have strayed? your magnificent glory, which I am denied? your everlasting life, from which I was rejected? … O living Word, so that reconciled through you the Holy Spirit might return to me. Through you and the will of the almighty Holy Spirit,
may I be cleansed and presented to your Father, so that I may, with him and by your grace,
through the breath of salutation, be inseparably united with you. Amen.
(Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 7: Mushroom Ragu

Goal Oriented Imperfection

Next Step #245 – February 14, 2013

Using symbols and myths to explain the mysteries in life gets a bit confusing when Armenian churches light some bonfires in the back yard. Mid Winter. Purification, Presentation, Valentine’s and Adam & Eve all come together for today’s show. The Pope’s resignation begs the question of running the Perfect Body of Christ with imperfect people. Stripping away the imperfections and finding the bulls-eye in the middle of our faith. “There’s something beautiful in the Armenian Church but…” was the general consensus last week, and this week there’s more. The Curtain in the Armenian Church – and how we have become the curtain -the reason for separation from paradise. In New Mexico – figuring out the Catholic Church and in Paradise figuring out Adam & Eve’s identity. It’s about time the Armenian alphabet adds a “th” and “w” sound. All in this week’s edition.
Anush’s Pomegranate Seed: “Amazing Love
Song: Schubert – Grammy Award Winning artist Kim Kashkashian
Kim Kashkashian Grammy Award
More on  Life, Love & Sayat Nova – Next Step #35
10 Worst Popes of All Time
Lenten Journey – www.armodoxy.blogspot.com
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