Tag Archive for: Completeness

Aiming High – Day 9 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Aiming High, Day 9 of Lent

Over 150 years ago, the novelist Jules Verne wrote a book called “From the Earth to the Moon: A direct Route in 97 Hours, 20 Minutes” in which he imagined a group of gun enthusiasts attempting to send three people to the Moon with an enormous space gun. It sounds crazy to us, and it sounded crazy in Verne’s time as well. Just a century later, the Americans and Soviets were vying for the position of flag-planter on the moon and in 1969 the US flag was planted by Buzz Aldrin with Neil Armstrong snapping the picture for proof.

From the first time man looked up to the heavens and wondered about the vast darkness speckled with lights and one large lit ball floating from one horizon to the other, he tried to harness an understanding of the patterns and timetables for the lights in the universe. Back in the 2nd century AD, a book was written by Lucien speculates about a journey to the Moon. Man’s ability to imagine has always been challenged with what may seem absurd, but innovation builds on dreams turned real.

We concluded yesterday’s message with a prayer from St. Gregory of Narek. In it, he uses the word “unreachable” in reference to God. The fact that God is unreachable doesn’t exclude us from reaching for the challenge, one which Jesus invites us to. In the Scriptural passage for Expulsion Sunday, Jesus extends this invitation, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Unreachable? There is a reason Jesus challenges to reach for God.

Lent affords us an opportunity to reach high. It is part of the discipline we learn. Today’s charity act is to dream, given a chance to have one dream come true, what would that dream be? Fast, today, from considering anything, including that dream, as impossible.

Treat yourself to the Stuffed Eggplant, as today’s meal, found in the show notes.

We pray today, “Lord Jesus Christ, who are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Your demand from us is perfection, but we fall short. Through your unconditional Love you grant forgiveness so that we can find completeness and wholeness in life. Keep me mindful of this gift of forgiveness and completeness, Amen.”

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 9: Stuffed Eggplants

Completeness

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Armodoxy for Today
Completeness

In the parable of the “Prodigal Son” (Luke 15), when the wayward boy is reconciled with his father, the servants of the house hear the voice of the father command, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.” In this action, the son would be reconciled completely with his father.

Returning back to physical and/or emotional health – whether following an attack by a virus or after a broken relationship – is a difficult proposition and often, a more difficult process. Along the way, both physical and emotional health may be compromised making full recovery next to impossible.

The recovery granted to us by God is complete and full. By looking inward, we discover our weaknesses and count our strengths. The delicate balance between the two is defined by our perception, attitude, and our ability to communicate with God.

Begin with prayer, “Christ, you are the growing fire, inflame my soul with the fire of your love, which you have shed on the earth, that it may consume the stains of my soul, clear my conscience, purify my body from sin, and kindle in my heart the light of your knowledge. Amen.” (Shnorhali #10)