Tag Archive for: death

Memorial Day

Armodoxy for Today: Memorial Day

There is a park that I pass by occasionally on my morning rides. It has a sizable monument dedicated to the veterans of US wars. On the center plaque there are the insignias of the different branches of the military hovering around a lone statement that reads, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

I happen to know that this quote is from Jesus. In the Gospel of John (15), Jesus proclaims this truth in final discourse with his disciples before being betrayed and handed over to trial and crucifixion. But for others who had not read the Bible passage or had no reference to Jesus, the quote seems like a basic truth. And that’s how it is presented to the visitors of the park and this monument. The quote is without reference, neither to Jesus, nor to the Gospel in which it appears.

One of the most beautiful traditions we have in the United States is expressed in the Memorial Day holiday. It is an expression of appreciation for one of the greatest gifts, namely freedom, and the price that has been paid for it.

A value can be ascribed to everything, except to human life. Life is a gift given only once by God and therefore it is priceless. When someone loses their life for a cause, we say they have paid the ultimate price, again, emphasizing its pricelessness.

We have heard that freedom is not free, and interestingly enough, the price of freedom is measured by life, that is, the value of freedom is so great that it can only be measured, or given value, in terms of human life.

Stephen Stills writes,
Do we find the cost of freedom
Buried in the ground
Mother Earth will swallow you
Lay your body down

Whether the words of Jesus are referenced to him or not, the words “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” stands as an axiom. As Christians, however, we are consoled in knowing that our Lord, Jesus Christ, said these words as a statement about his offering, his love for his friends, for his children.

Memorial Day gives us a beautiful opportunity and a chance to reflect on something that should be reflected upon regularly, that is, the value of life and those things that are measured by life itself. Are there things that you love more than life itself? Freedom? Family? Love? Country? A close inventory can reveal much. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King has said, “If a man has not found something worth dying for, he is not fit to live.”

Jesus made it clear, that he loved us so much that he laid his life down for us, his friends. In return he asks that we lay our lives down, not to the grave but to surrender to loving one another. It is the greatest testimony to Memorial Day, to respect the price others have paid and understand that in living, and living fully, we honor their sacrifice.

Let us pray, On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with Your strength and peace. Amen. (from Common Prayers)

Worry

Armodoxy for Today

Worry

Worry is not a topic that will be explored once, neither during the Advent season, nor during the rest of the year. Worry is just as reoccurring as a topic as it is as a menace to good health. Worry contributes to stress, a cause of diseases of the mind and body. It was no different in the times of Christ, and of course, even before. Since the beginning of time, when man contemplated his own mortality he succumbed to worry. Whether it was dodging the attack of a vicious animal in the wild, or avoiding a diagnosis of cancer, worry has been a part of the human condition.

We begin to look at worry in the context of our Advent Journey by reading the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, as recorded by St. Luke (12):

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Striving for his kingdom is the first step toward ridding ourselves of worry. Nice words, and it sounds simple enough, but what does it exactly mean to strive for his kingdom? And how do we do it? The Armenian Church has sung a hymn of praise for the kingdom during times when world governments and principalities have imposed their will on the people. The hymn of victory has been pronounced within the walls of the Church while the sounds of hatred and intolerance were spit upon the exteriors. The simplicity of seeking the Kingdom is held inside Armodoxy and the Advent Journey leads us there.

We pray, Lord, set my heart on Your Kingdom. While worries and fears abound, I look to the birds of the air and the flowers of the field and know that You hold us all in your hand. Let me feel the certainty of our Love. Amen.

I look forward to continuing the Advent Journey with you next time.

Universal Converter

Next Step #744: Queen Elizabeth II, passes and the speed of updates. Personal passing’s: reflections on Sam Boranian and life led in humility. Jesus and accessibility: The Universal Converter and how to “plug” into the power of the Holy Spirit. Metaphors and more on postures.
Queen Elizabeth II, first hour after passing
Sam Boranian obituary
Universal Converter 
Grandpa’s Magical Toys
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org and Epostle.net
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Before Refrigeration

Next Step with Fr. Vazken #699: Adopting the Cross and Jesus from Biblical times and now: clues to the adoption process. The danger of Revelation and the nonsense of non-denominationalism. Gorbachev’s revelation. Halloween, death, and afterlife before and after refrigeration units. Beginning the process of extracting media from SM. And… answering the questions should Uma have been Yvonne?
Loving as your son: St. Joseph’s example
Purgatory Concept from Maccabees
In Step with Christ: Halloween, Masks and Saints
Few Minutes with Der Hayr (1994): Halloween and Fear
Vernacular Verbose Special ed. 
Vitamin String Quartet
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Fossil Uncovers The News

Next Step with Fr. Vazken #684: “Out of the mouths of babes” comes a question with a profound answer: Life after death for the Christian. Remember Yellow Pages? Claimed as the “original search engine” is also the original pay-to-create news service: Deciphering through some of the religious “competition.” Apostolic vs. Gregorian.
Are all “Brands” the Same?
Nicene Creed
Phonebook visual
iAct
Peter Gabriel on Djivan Gasparyan
The Passion of the Christ
The Last Temptation of Christ movie
Djivan Gasparyan on Armeniapedia
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Afterlife Connections

Next Step #683: Extreme Unction, a sacrament of the Armenian Church, is perhaps one of the seven that is most misunderstood. And why have some reduced the list to six? Fr. Vazken starts the discussion on the secular plane, with current political trends and the place of faith in evaluating your belief system, and takes the conversation to end-of-life reflections. Don’t check-in your brain at the door for this one; uncomfortable for some, it’s an important discussion in Armodoxy.
Prayer for “good death”
Houdini exposing fraud – contacting the dead
Transfiguration/Armodoxy
Transfiguration Sermon (2020)
Transfiguration blog post
Djivan Gasparian passes away
Mama – Djivan Gasparian
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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McKenzie and the Lonely People

Next Step #660: Fr. McKenzie wipes his hands at the grave and who was saved? A look at funeral, death and ultimately life. Nothing morbid about this discussion, it’s about a healthy look (yes with tears!) at death. Sending the soul back to its maker with prayers and reflections – it’s an Armodox approach. No touching during the pandemic: And now the Lonely People. Entitlement and Salvation. Challenger Disaster, 35 years ago. The gen-gen generation.
Challenger Disaster: 35 year ago
Ronald Reagan on the Challenger Disaster
No Death at this Funeral: Next Step #98
WD168 at Year 1
Fr Vazken/Divine Liturgy this week
John Bilezikjian “Zepuri Nman”
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Without a life-line

Next Step #658: Fear, anxiety and our worst nightmares are coming true in this age of pandemic. Being alone at the time of death: Faith and the belief that we’re not alone. Lost and disconnected: The challenge to walk in the shoes of others. MLK weekend, upcoming with prayers. Losing control and leaning on crutches: drugs, alcohol and religion.
Reddit: Nightmares
This week’s WD168
MLK Retreat 2021
Virtual Homeblessing
Footprints in the Sand
Luke 4
David Bowie, Space Oddity
George Winston
Cover: IHS at Mt. View by Fr. Vazken 2021
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Diversions

Next Step #647: Diversions that lead to devastation are once again popping up as the war in Artsakh enters into its second month of life. Peter and Paul lead into the tragic death of two deacons martyred in Artsakh. You’ve got information, where’s the power they promised? Self reliance vs. the wasted time begging. Playing out the rules of Genocide, this is not war when Azeris target civilians, maternity hospitals and churches. Sports: a cure for gossiping.
OneArmenia Rock for Artsakh
Deacons die in Artsakh
Abp. Hovnan on the “Crumbs”
Dn. Ryan Tellalian in Artsakh
Fr. Vazken’s Rwandan Blog
Serenity Prayer
Armenia Fund – where to donate https://www.himnadram.org/en
University of West LA – Webinar – open to public
Cover photo: Field in Artsakh, 2014 Fr. Vazken
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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Memento Mori

Next Step #596: It’s debatable whether or not he who dies with the most toys wins; however, what is not up for discussion is that he who dies with the most toys, still dies! Two biographies – one of the Gambler Kirk Kerkorian and the other, Apple & Pixar CEO Steve Jobs, are the backdrops for this week’s Next Step: Memento Mori. Up close and personal, here’s Fr. Vazken’s personal journey as he discusses living with the lie of reconciling the virtual with reality and how that journey has led to the doorstep of Armodoxy. Outreach vs. inreach ministry: how to survive on principles and moving from the end-time obsession to living for the day.
Alan Hovhaness “The Prayer of St. Gregory
Steve Jobs” Walter Isaacson
The Gambler” Kirk Kerkorian
Window View of the Armenian Church
Serenity Prayer – Reinhold Niebuhr
Center of Attention (Armenian)
Timex Sinclair
Atheists in Foxholes
Cover: Cups Fr. Vazken 2010
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for http://InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!