There is superficial beauty and there is intrinsic beauty. In a life lived in Faith, these two types intersect, and not necessarily at only one point. Outer beauty shines and is pleasant to look at, while inner beauty shines bright through the outer layers, radiating. In this pandemic era, more than ever, we are learning that outer beauty must never be so thick as to not let the inner shine through.
Jesus warns, “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.” (Matthew 7:6)
Armodoxy attests to the reality that the Armenian Church, small in outward size and yet rich in inner magnificence, has found that balance of beauty. Seek and find your inner beauty and witness the outer counterpart as part of the same equation that God has created in you.
Pray with the Psalmist (34), “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ as recorded in the gospels, (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, and Luke 9:28–36) tells how three Disciple, Peter, John and James, witnessed a glimmer of the Divine Light. Jesus was transfigured, “…His Face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” (Luke 9:29) Two historical figures – Moses and Elijah, the symbols of the law and the prophets – appear “in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus.” A voice from above is heard “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”
Peter turns to Jesus and says on behalf of his disciple-brothers, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. I will put up three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Certainly, under any other circumstance, we would compliment Peter’s initiative and thoughtfulness to look after the comfort of the guests. But today? Jesus is radiating the Divine Light! He’s shining! For this moment of singularity, we humans are given a glimpse of the Eternal Presence, of the Light that Shines in the Darkness, at the Transfigured Christ! And his response? “Let us make three tents for you!” A message was being conveyed but it was ignored, whether intentional or not is secondary to the fact that he was consumed by worldly interests in the face of this most auspicious event.
Peter’s response to this event was not too much different to our response to God’s presence today. Messages are sent to us daily – several times during a day – but, intentionally or not, we lose sight of the beauty. How many flowers and trees did you pass today on your walk or drive? I imagine, you passed by so many that, familiarity has bred contempt, and you passed by without standing in awe that each of these are the miracle of seedlings, soil and sun. How often have we ignored a child’s plea for attention, only to chase after some insignificant matter? Is that child’s cry, not the voice of God? When have we truly remarked at the miracle of life, of a single heart beating for 20, 40, 80 or 100 years? And to think, every night the stars, the galaxies, the universe comes out on display, and we walk in other directions until the morning light makes them all vanish.
The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ is a reminder of the awesome glory of God that shines, that radiates all around us. The Christ-light is there, waiting for our reaction. We can stand in awe of a sunset, or put on sunglasses, or pull up an umbrella, or come inside and turn on the light switch. Christ was Transformed. The law and the prophets had gathered around him. The voice of the Father is heard. Peter and the disciples had a choice on how to react as do we every day.
Let us pray, Lord Jesus Christ, when you transfigured and radiated the Light which came to us from the beginning of Time, you gave us yet another opportunity to connect to eternity. Guide me to find glimpses of the Light amidst the darkness that seems to consume my thoughts and my paths. May your presence guide my life so that I may celebrate the glimpses of beauty and joy that are always present in my life. Amen.
Yeghishé Charents was the main Armenian poet of the 20th century. He lived and wrote his creations following World War I, the Genocide and into the years of communism in Armenia, and was imprisoned for political reasons. In that gloominess, his poetry reflected the beauty around him, in a small area of land called Armenia.
Charents wrote, “All my life, my impossible aim was to finish a song to charm children.” He wrote these lines on a handkerchief to his friend and fellow poet, Avetik Isahakyan, after hearing a prisoner sing one of Isahakyan’s songs in a neighboring cell.
“Charming children” in the midst of ugliness is more than swelling with optimism or staying positive, it’s recognizing the importance of new life and passing along hope.
Hum the song of the new day to the words that speak to your heart.
Today’s one minute for standard time.
Addendum: The above verses continue with “just as all hearts quicken with the tempo of yours.”
Cover: Children outside the cave, 2023, Fr. Vazken
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Charming-Children-Cover.jpg10871041Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2023-11-08 00:01:502025-06-17 22:20:32Charming Children
There is superficial beauty and there is intrinsic beauty. In a life lived in Faith, these two types intersect, and not necessarily at only one point. Outer beauty shines and is pleasant to look at, while inner beauty shines bright through the outer layers, radiating. In this pandemic era, more than ever, we are learning that outer beauty must never be so thick as to not let the inner shine through.
Jesus warns, “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you.” (Matthew 7:6)
Armodoxy attests to the reality that the Armenian Church, small in outward size and yet rich in inner magnificence, has found that balance of beauty. Seek and find your inner beauty and witness the outer counterpart as part of the same equation that God has created in you.
Pray with the Psalmist (34), “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/image-3.jpeg16501275Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2020-05-07 18:09:082022-08-26 21:30:55Beauty as Element
Next Step #531: Warhol’s “Empire” and “Sleep” movies in the context of forgotten beauty found. Fr. Vazken discovers something not lost but forgotten in the skies over and mountains of Wyoming. Scriptural references: Luke 2:41-52 and John 15.
“Empire” by Andy Warhol
“Sleep” by Andy Warhol
“Been Too Long” by John Darnall Under the Stars St. Mary & Grape Blessing
Cover photo: Fr. Vazken from the Woods by Susan Movsesian
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!
https://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/image-3.jpeg12681206Vazken Movsesianhttps://epostle.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/final_logo_large_for_epostle_web-300x189.pngVazken Movsesian2018-08-09 22:38:292022-08-30 21:17:39Empire through Wyoming
