Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – The Our Father
We are at the halfway mark of our Advent Journey. Jesus’ voice is now heard teaching us the manner in which to practice our faith. He cautions us to avoid hypocrisy by being sincere in our motives. Today he teaches us to pray concisely.
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
This prayer which is often referred to as the “Lord’s Prayer” is more appropriately titled “The Our Father” for, in fact, the novelty of the prayer is in its reference to God as “Our Father.” Jesus defines an intimate relationship with God. Henceforth, he instructs us to refer to God, and therefore understand God, as “Father.” This was revolutionary in his time and even more revolutionary today. The distance between God and man has been shortened. God is love and as Our Father has an infinite capacity to love and care for us.
In this prayer, we acknowledge the holiness of our Father and the sacredness of his name. We understand ourselves as participants in the Kingdom by being the functionary – the means by which His Will is done on earth (just as it is in heaven.)
We request of our Father our daily bread, the forgiveness of our sins and the deliverance from evil.
For today we conclude with a prayer that comes from the Armenian Church’s Divine Liturgy, God of truth and Father of mercies, we thank you, who has exalted our nature, condemned as we were, above that of the blessed patriarchs, for you were called God by them, whereas in pity, you have been pleased to be named Father by us. We forever thank you. Amen.
Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – Meditation in Prayer
Meditation is a vital part of the Christian experience and a practice that is alluded to by Jesus in the next section of the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus says, “When you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)
Once again, Jesus asks us to practice our piety in private. The religious experience is between you and God and not a demonstration for others. Jesus, in authority, tells us that our Father knows our needs before we ask Him. Therefore, prayer is contemplative and meditative, that is, prayer is a conversation with our inner self. God already knows your needs, now you must realize them. Meditation is an opportunity to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) It is a quiet time with God, who is inside of you. Pray with the knowledge that God knows your needs and feel His love. That knowledge is given to us by the One who was begotten of the Father, that is, from Love Incarnate.
For your Advent journal, make note of the adversary, the hypocrite. For today, we will conclude with the prayer from the tenth hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s Confession of Faith, Christ, the living fire, inflame my soul with the fire of your love which you sent forth over the earth, so that it may burn the stains of my soul; sanctify my conscience and purge my body from sin, and kindle the light of your knowledge in my heart. Have mercy upon your creatures and on me, a sinner. Amen.
Cover: Gregory Beylerian, 2014
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Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – Praying for Evil
Following Jesus’ commandment to not resist evil, these words are only a natural continuation of the sentiment. Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Once again, these words seem to go against the natural order of things. These words are exactly as they are said. In other words, there is no way to find other meanings to these words. Yes, they are opposite what you have been taught. Right off Jesus tells us that the natural order is overruled, by prefacing the commandment with the words, “You have heard that it was said…”
Everything here is predicated on the goal of being “perfect, just your Father in heaven is perfect.”
There are four sets of action and response.
To do good to people who do good to you, or
To repay evil with evil is only human.
To repay good with evil, is itself evil. It is from the devil.
To repay evil with good, is divine. It is from God.
Before we go any further, let the words of today sink in deep. It is the cornerstone of Jesus’ teaching. These words can only be said from a place of love.
Today we pray the Jesus prayer, as recorded in the Gospel of St. John, 17:25-26, O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. Amen.
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Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – Christmas on Las Lunas
There is a house on Las Lunas, less than a mile from our home, that decorates for Christmas. For as long as I can remember my time in Pasadena, this house has been my favorite Christmas stop. Yes, there was the Balian mansion. Many happy memories were made there, taking visitors from out of town to see the elegant display of lighting. The kids would love it, and vendors knew it. They would line the streets with electronic gadgets, bright lights that would lure the kids to them, and along with the kids came the parents who would dish over a few bucks for these lights that would last for a night before they’d inevitably break while the kids swung them.
The Balian mansion was well manicured. Lights hung in an orderly manner with some traditional colored statues, such as the manger scene, angelic singers, wise men, and the rest of the Lucian entourage. On one side of the mansion was a large billboard with a note printed in large letters. It was from the Balian family, thanking the public for their support of their product, Balian ice cream. This landmark house still stands but the elaborate lights do not shine as bright. I believe the mansion was sold and the new owners did not carry on the lighting traditions.
Did I mention that the mansion and its lightshow was very orderly and refined?
In contrast, the house on Las Lunas is lights, on top of lights. Different sizes and shapes of bulbs. Statues, yes, of the Holy Family, the wise men and Santa Clause, for sure. But also, brightly lit plastic statues of cartooned carolers from Mickey Mouse to Looney Tune favorites. There are even a variety of superheroes hanging around the manger, Batman and Spiderman are peeking from some well-lit shrubs. Electrical outlets and wires throughout the front yard power the lights rolling off the roof stretching to the curb, giving a new meaning for electric blanket.
It is obvious that this is an amateur production, but I guess so was the First Christmas in Bethlehem. I mean, making do with a manger for a crib?
This is a celebration of Christmas both religious as well as secular. And I love it.
Throughout the years I’d take our boys to see the “House on Las Lunas.” More than the house itself, I’d love to see their expressions as they looked at the lights. A few years back, I knew it wasn’t right to enjoy this so much without offering something in return. So that year, and the years following I would carry some cash with me with the hope that I’d see the owner of the house, thank him and offer something to, at the very least, help with the electric bill to provide the power for all of these lights. I never saw him. Even on the off-season, whenever passing by on Las Lunas I’d glance over on the chance I’d see someone in the yard. But no such luck.
Last week, our grandsons, ages 4 and 2, had come over to visit. My wife and I bundled them up, put them in the car and took them over to give them their first glimpse of Christmas on Las Lunas. I took some cash along with me on the possibility, and hope, that we might find the artistic director of the light show. This time, we were in luck.
We arrived at the house and helped our grandsons out of their infant seat’s harnesses. They walked out with wide eyes, taking it all in. Big smiles, not knowing in which direction to go first. Christmas music was playing loud. And then… there he was. The owner of the house and creator of the light show was there with a drill in his hand and an assortment of tools he was working on a small “Santa’s house.” He was putting the final touches on the house for the season.
The kids went in and out of all the lights and arrived at the barn where the Holy Family, wisemen and animals were circled around the manger with the Christ child. Our older grandson looked in and we explained what was happening. His younger brother who has to copy everything his brother does, came and listened attentively. We went walking through the lights and different statues and of course, the kids were excited to find Batman and Spiderman in costume.
The owner was busy with the lights, but this was my chance to show my appreciation for the years of happiness he’s given our family and make an offering of assistance. He was working on the final details. I approached him and introduced myself and our grandsons. I told him that I had been coming to his house for years with my sons and now, the turn was my grandson’s. I choked up as I reminisced. “I just want to thank you for all the happiness and joy you’ve brought to my kids and now my grandkids.”
He smiled and thanked me. He gave me a brief history. His father lived in this house until his death 20 years ago. As a tribute to his father, he decorated the house every Christmas because one of his fondest memories was visiting the Balian mansion as a kid. We exchanged memories under the cold December sky. I was surprised to notice twinkling stars through all this light.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out some money. “I know this costs a lot of money to maintain. I’d like to participate with a small offering to at least take care of the electricity.” He looked at me. I was in the shadow of the light, and he probably didn’t notice a couple of tears swelling up on me, but he probably heard it in my voice.
He said, “I can’t take it. It’s not about me. It’s about him.” He pointed to the manger and the baby Jesus laying in it. “I know what he would want you to do with that money. Please give it to the homeless. There are so many on the streets,” and he pointed to the main street.
I felt the greatest joy at that moment. I couldn’t say much, I was still choked up but I did manage to get out a few words. “I will. I will give this money to the homeless and God bless you.”
This weekend in the Advent Season, the Armenian Church sets its mark on the destination, that is Christmas, by giving the shopping list for the Christ child, the honoree of this Birthday celebration. The shopping list is found in the Gospel of Luke and is given by Jesus himself. It is only proper to ask him his choice of gift and give that which he desires. The Jesus’ words are as follows: When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14: 12-14)
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These last couple of days on our Advent Journey we have spoken about Jesus’ commandment to not resist evil. The champions of good, by virtue of that title, are the heroes of folklore, history and even fantasy. All of them have left their mark by opposing and fighting evil, hence, the great disconnect between the good guys in our life and Jesus’ commandment to not resist evil. In Jesus’ case, his opposition to evil is not defined by increased violence. His opposition to evil came without inciting more evil.
John Lennon, in a song widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of all time, challenged us to Imagine, there’s no heaven… above us only sky… people living for today. Imagine countries… nothing to kill or die for… no religion… no possessions, no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man… Imagine all the people sharing all the world… and the world will live as one.
This song was written in opposition to the Vietnam War (1971) and Lennon himself regarded it as an “ad campaign for peace.”
In our encounter with Jesus’ commandments, and in particular with this one which asks us to not resist evil, we are understand that opposition to evil cannot come by adding evil to the equation. Evil + evil will never equal an absence of evil. We can’t fight fire with fire when it’s only reasonable (and preferrable) to fight it with water.
“Whoever slaps you on your right cheek,” Jesus instructs, “Turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” (Matthew 5:39-41)
Absence of evil is love and so “love your enemies” is a natural next step, and a necessary step on the road to peace.
Within the Armenian Church, the phrase “Peace unto all” is repeated often in its seven hours of worship, and most notably during its Divine Liturgy. Imagine that, a people that have not known peace, and at the same time have possessed no military power or elaborate military strategy, and yet they proclaim and offer peace.
We pause today with an invitation and an Advent challenge, in preparation for Christmas, can you imagine an alternative to evil to resolve evil? Jesus’ call to “Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect,” (Matthew 5:48) implies that there are means that require us to use our God given talents to overcome the tragedies we identify as evil.
The Advent Journey is about preparing ourselves for the great Theophany, the Revelation of God. That preparation is through the struggle to understand – “imagine,” if you will – our existence as children of God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
We pray a prayer by Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. O God, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind; in whom to dwell is to find peace and security; toward whom to turn is to find life and life eternal, we humbly beseech Thee for all sorts and conditions of men; that thou wouldst be pleased to make thy ways known unto them, Thy saving health unto all nations. We also pray for Thy holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by Thy Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to Thy Fatherly goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or distressed in mind or body. Give them patience under the suffering and power of endurance. This we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Armodoxy for Today – The Advent Series – Resist Not Evil 1
On this Advent Journey we reach a major hurdle which will also be a milestone for us. Jesus’ command to not resist evil is one of the most difficult statements to digest because inherently we wish to fight and eliminate evil. For this reason, it is a hurdle, and it is a milestone in our journey because so much rests on our acceptance of this commandment.
Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
Before placing this into the category of weakness, pull out your Advent journals and refer to the lessons on harnessed energy, the discipline that turns our inner strength into focused power. The night that Jesus was born the heavenly hosts proclaimed, “Peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.” (Luke 2:14) The Will of God is proclaimed for all of humanity with the birth of Jesus Christ. For there to be peace, the Prince of Peace advocates for nonviolent resistance to evil. It is the only solution and the only means of bringing about Peace.
The common misconception then, in the time of Jesus, as well as now, is that violence and more evil brings about peace. Mathematically we can formulate this as a + a = -a. It is just as absurd in theory as it is in practice.
Thinkers have pondered these words of Jesus for centuries and have argued pro and con to the subject. Heavyweights like Tolstoy have written volumes on the subject, as well as non-Christians, such as Gandhi have patterned the plan for liberation on nonviolent resistance. Third world countries, liberation theology and of course the Civil Rights movement in America have used Jesus’ teaching as a foundation and model on the path to equality and justice. According to Gandhi, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” to which Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. added, “If we do an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, we will be a blind and toothless nation.”
We’re not through with the topic. It is the foundation for Jesus’ life and ministry. For today, let us pray a prayer offered by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.: O God, make us willing to do your will, come what may. Increase the number of persons of good will and moral sensitivity. Give us renewed confidence in nonviolence and the way of love as taught by Christ. Amen.
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By this time, still in the early part of the Sermon on the Mount, we are understanding that what we are hearing, is uniquely Jesus Christ. “Those of old” have heard one thing, but today, we are hearing, “But I say to you.” And thus far, the message plain and simple, is about the sincerity of our expressions.
Jesus was reacting to the times. Religion had become mechanical, non-relevant and therefore meaningless. Matthew records that the religious elite, the Pharisees, were criticizing Jesus on multiple fronts. On one occasion (chapter 15), Jesus’ disciples were eating in a manner not prescribed by the Law of the Jews. Jesus taught that it was not, “what goes into the mouth [that] defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
The words we speak reflect the purity of our heart. And so, the next teaching we encounter in the Sermon on the Mount is about oaths, the words that come from our mouth, and thus proceed from our heart.
Jesus says, “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
An oath is the ultimate statement of one’s sincerity. To this day, oaths are taken to mean a person’s complete commitment to his or her promise. It is a vow solidified by some higher power. For this reason, often public oaths are taken on the holy scriptures, in sanctified spaces, or in the presence of a representative of ruling authority.
Jesus’ commandment is that we refrain from oaths that we cannot keep. Thus far, he has given a higher standard of living than what the religious community was handing out. Remember, murder is not only killing, but it is defined by anger. Likewise, adultery is the lustful conditions leading to the act. Jesus’ standard is a higher standard, and he cautions that we be honest and say nothing more than yes or no.
Let us pray, from the 17th hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s prayer, You who bring back the wanderers, turn me from my evil ways to good ones and imprint upon my soul the recollection of the dreadful day of death, the fear of hell and the love of Your Kingdom that I may repent from my sins and do righteousness. Have mercy on me. Amen.
In the previous sessions, we’ve learned the need to take control of our lives, emotionally and spiritually as much as physically. In addressing murder and adultery, Jesus separated the thought from the action. In controlling our desires, or lust, we find the necessity to structure our physical urges. Marriage is the vehicle by which we take control of our powers, and you would assume Jesus’ next statement would be about the sanctity of marriage. Well, it is, in a rather roundabout way. Jesus speaks next about divorce.
The passage in question comes from Matthew 5:31 and 32, “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
This passage is an addendum to his commandment on adultery, if for no other reason than to save the virtue of the women, or what we may call today, Woman’s rights. At the time of Jesus, women did not have many rights, in fact, they were not accounted for unless they were married or had sons. By adding this passage to the adultery commandment, Jesus is standing up for the rights of those who had no one to advocate for them. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus addresses the plight of the widows and women. In today’s passage, by addressing divorce without first discussing marriage, Jesus once again champions for the voiceless.
Like I said earlier, his message about marriage is via a comment on divorce and more importantly about the commitment the man makes to his wife. Another marking and note for our journal through Advent.
Let us pray from the 16th hour of the prayer of St. Nersess Shnorali, O my God, who opens Your hand and fills all things living with Your bounty, to You I commit my soul, do care for me and provide for the needs of my body and soul forever. Have mercy upon Your creatures and on me, a sinner. Amen.
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Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – Evil is no response to sin
During the Sundays of the Advent period, the Armenian Church points us to certain Gospel passages that prepare us for the Revelation at Theophany. One such passage comes from the Gospel according to St. Luke chapter 13. Here, Jesus explains that disaster, or evil, does not come upon a person because of his or her sins. Jesus brings up two incidents where people died a suffering death, one was the story of Galileans who made a sacred gesture to the Lord which was desecrated by the Roman governor, Pilate. And the other was a catastrophe involving a tower which fell and killed18 people. Regarding the victims of these tragedies, Jesus says, “Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
The details of the stories are not the focus of Jesus’ message to us. These two tragedies of the Galileans and the tower had meaning for the people of the time but are inconsequential for us today separated by 2000 years from the events. In place of these tragedies to which Jesus alludes, you may substitute the Covid-19 pandemic or the destroyed Twin-Towers of 9/11 – two events that are part of our common memory and history – and hear His voice ask the same question, “Do you think they – the victims if Covid-19 – were more guilty than everyone else? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
The lesson that comes to us from Jesus reminds us that catastrophes or human sufferings are not judgments of God upon us. As many believe today, so too, in the times of Jesus, when evil or suffering comes upon a person, especially the seemingly innocent, there are many who believe it is God’s wrath that is being played out on their sins. Whether it is a person who suffers from cancer, a person blind-sided by a drunk driver, or the innocent children bombed in a war, Jesus says emphatically: No! It is not because they sinned! Rather, listen attentively to his warning, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Plainly, He is saying, Stop blaming God for the suffering you cause in the world! Unless you repent… unless you stop polluting your environment, unless you stop driving under the influence, unless you stop the wars… yes, you too will perish!
A small, but important reminder during our Advent journey, about personal responsibility and truly, the remarkable and unique message delivered to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray, from the 15th hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s prayer, “Christ, the guardian of all, let Your Right Hand guard and shelter me by day and by night, while at home and while away, while asleep and while awake, that I may not fall. Have mercy on me on all your creatures and on me, a sinner. Amen.
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Yesterday we discovered that Jesus’ teaching about adultery is about fidelity in the context of a broader demand for sincerity. Jesus separates action from thought – what we may refer to as premeditation – the thoughts that lead to actions. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus continues, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”
Jesus uses hyperbole, for sure, in an attempt to draw attention to the difficulty of disciplining the senses. As we learned in the preamble to the Sermon on the Mount, that is, in the Beatitudes, harnessing our power is essential to spiritual growth. The struggle between the physical and spiritual life is ever present and Jesus refers to this duality throughout his ministry. Most glaringly in the Garden of Gethsemane, he challenges the disciples to stay awake with him as he prays, but he also knows the physical weakness they will succumb to and identifies it as, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
The teaching on adultery, is an invitation to take control of our most innate and powerful physical urges. It is a call to open ourselves to the honesty and control of our expression and to the limits of our physical abilities. The sin is not the physical act alone, but losing our control to the lust that draws us to the physical act. Herein is the challenge to rise and ascend to the spiritual realm, where lust is controlled to prevent the sinful act. In honesty and control we find purity. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
We pray today from the 8th hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s prayer, O Searcher of secrets, I have sinned against you, willingly and unwillingly, knowingly and unknowingly. Grant me forgiveness for since my birth from the baptism font to this day, I have sinned before you Lord, with all my senses and with all the members of my body. Have mercy upon me, a sinner. Amen.
