Tag Archive for: creation

Light

Armodoxy for Today: Light

Over the last 50 years or so, people who have succumbed to heart failure have been brought back to life thanks to developments in medicine and better methods of resuscitation. It is interesting to note the experiences of the victim/survivors, upon being revived. Many describe being in the presence of a calming and warm light. Yes, light is being described not by kilowatts or power, but by temperature, by warmth, they say.

I have had the pleasure of knowing a couple of these survivors and I found that there is no denying the reality they experienced on the “other side” of life. They understand people’s skepticism over their experience, but they won’t renege on their story: they were dead, they felt a warm light and then they returned from death. Some will also add that they had an out-of-body experience, where they witnessed themselves being resuscitated from a birds-eye view. In the end, they returned to tell of their experiences.

Within the Judeo-Christian tradition, the first creation story written in Genesis begins with God creating light (1.2) on the first day. It is interesting because the qualifier of what we consider “light,” that is, the sun, doesn’t appear in this account until the fourth day! (1:14-19)

Light is the first thing that is created. And whether you take the story of creation metaphorically, mythically or literally, you have to admit that the placement of the creation of light as the first act of the story (before the Sun) points to a light that is quite different than what we understand when we open the window or turn on the switch. It is a light that can be measure in intensity and warmth.

This week we have been looking at the Biblical passage John 3:13-21, which was the Sunday lectionary reading. We come to understand that Jesus Christ was there in the beginning, before time and matter. He is Divine. Reading on, we find in the passage that we connect true love with the sacrifice of the Cross.

Today we focus on the concluding words of the passage: … the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Therefore, in a passage which begins by placing Jesus at the beginning of time, it concludes with an explanation of Jesus’ proclamation, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The Armenian Church prescribes this passage on the third Sunday following Theophany for a reason. When God is revealed – whether as presented by Matthew & Luke with manger, kings, shepherds, the inn and all the nativity props, or by John’s placement of Jesus at the beginning of time – the Light is present. It is light defined by something greater than photons and powered by wattage. It is the Light eternal. It beckons us to walk, pray, meditate and grow in the Eternal Presence of God.

Let us pray, Nersess Shnorhali’s prayer of the 21st hour, O Christ, True Light, make my soul worthy to behold with you the light of Your glory, in that day when You call me and to rest in the hope of good things in the mansions of the just until the day of Your glorious coming.” Amen.

Beauty as Element

Next Step #622: Beauty in a world struck by a virus: discovering the importance of beauty in Creation and in our creations. Poetry, art, music all come together to accentuate the joy we find in life. Pope Francis on Prayer. Day of prayer and a study of prayer against the pandemic. McDonald & Jack: look for the source. Virtual sacraments: The new Happy Harry of the day?
Isabel Bayrakdarian “Antaram Dzaghig”
Healing through Music – A message from Isabel Bayrakdarian
Pirsig’s Metaphysics on Quality
Pope Francis joins Muslim leaders to call for day of prayer against coronavirus
Power of Prayer Study (Kansas)
Happy Harry Radio
Jim Lovell on Apollo 8
Cover: Flowers beyond paper, 2020 Fr. Vazken
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Evolving to a Better Creation

Next Step #296 – February 6, 2014

With some needles sticking out of his arms, Fr. Vazken shares the ancient Faith with nurses, and takes a look at the Creation/Evolution debate which is tragically being taken in a literal format (Nye vs. Hem). No worries: he’s not drugged. This is about understanding metaphor and respecting science. It’s about evolving to a better form of Creation. It’s about creating an Evolution which accounts for all of us. More on “managing the fulcrum” – the untapped power of Christianity in our lives. Also – stories of 50 years ago, the Beatles, Dad and Seeroon – all in this Next Step.
Song: “Besame Mucho” by the Beatles
Debate Nye vs. Hem on NPR
The Debate on YouTube
Seeroon Darer
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

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