Tag Archive for: father

Applying the Father – Day 17 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Applying the Father – Day 17 of Lent

We continue learning from the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) and today, continue on the character of the father. Yesterday we spoke of him as expression of the love of our Heavenly Father. Today, we understand the importance of this Lenten Season as we apply the father’s love to our lives.

The Prodigal’s father’s actions tell us what is required of us in our relationships, not necessarily with children, but with one another. There are people who have hurt us. The degrees of hurt are not consequential. Perhaps we have cried over a misspoken word, or we have been devastated by betrayal. The hurt has left a chasm in our relationships with others. We have all created divisions between ourselves and God by virtue of our actions or inaction,  yet God has given us a way back. We too must do the same and leave doors open for those people to return back to us. In other words, an end to grudges is in order. Don’t get caught up in foolish pride. Leave doors open without expecting someone to walk through. Don’t wait for those who have hurt you to return, just know that deep down there are many desires that may not be understood. If the door is open, they may return and when they do you must and will embrace them.

The heart is speaking to you. Do not think with your mind. Be ready to take in. Be ready to embrace, to hug, to suffocate them with the love that is in your heart. This is the example that Jesus gives us through the character of the father in the Parable. On the one hand it is showing us what our Heavenly Father does, and the example for us to do likewise to those in our lives. On the other hand we have prayed, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.” God forgives us. We, therefore, have to be forgiving of others.

Your act of charity today is to open doors you have shut. Fast from locks that keep doors shut and relationships from continuing.

On the Lenten menu today is Asian Noodles with Edamame

Let us pray, from St. Gregory of Narek (12) [Lord] Inscribe your name on the skylight of my abode. Cover the roof of my temple with your hand. Mark the threshold of my cell with your blood. Imprint the outside of my door with your sign. Protect the mat where I rest with your right hand. Amen. (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 17: Asian Noodles with Edamame

Cover Photo: Gregory & Luna Beylerian 2023

Patiently Waiting – Day 16 of 40

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Armodoxy for Today: Patiently Waiting – Day 16 of Lent

Continuing on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, today we look at the character of the father, who waits steadfastly for his child’s return home.

We first learn that the father gives without restriction or condition. His son says, “Give me my inheritance so I can go out and establish and begin my life.” The father, being a wise man, certainly understands that the son may lose or squander the money but does not argue with his child. He lets go. Even though he knows better, he also accepts that the child’s life is his to live. Yes, making mistakes can be painful, but it is by those mistakes that children learn.

The second time we see the father is when the son returns. Remember the son is remorseful, or at the very least he understands that he can have a better life by returning to his father’s house. No matter what the son’s intentions may be, the father seeing the son on the road back home, runs out to meet him on the road and does not even allow his son to ask forgiveness. He does not play a game of pride. He does not foolishly say, “Let me wait and see what he has to say.” He is there to accept his son. He does not say, “I told you so. I knew you would be back.”  Instead he recognizes his loved one – the son that he cared for, gave birth to and nurtured – had now returned! How excited he must be. Of course, he comes running up to his son and embraces him.

The father in the parable is an expression of our Heavenly Father. Jesus gives us a glimpse of the unconditional love of God. God in heaven waits for us to come home and when we do turn back, He does not wait for us to beg to return to His Kingdom. He is patiently waits for us to make that first turn-around. It’s then that He approaches us, embracing us fully. He takes us in, giving us Life! God accepts us as true children of his Kingdom. His acceptance of us is a given. The requirement is for us to say, “Yes, I have sinned. I have gone the wrong way. I have squandered what God has given me. I want to find peace. I want to find that love that God has created me in.” God waits for us to say, “I’m ready,” after which it all falls into place.

Your act of charity today is in the spirit of the Prodigal’s father, accept those who have wandered away. Are they looking for a way to come back and ask how open are you to forgive? Fast, today, from all that prevents you from opening the door to your heart.

Today’s recipe is Cherry Walnut chews, the recipe is linked below.

We pray, from St. Gregory of Narek, (33) O Lord, prepare for us honorable lodgings, for the partaking of your heavenly lamb, that we might eat life-giving manna of the new salvation and escape the punishments of condemnation. May our blasphemy be purified in the refiner’s fire, as the prophet told of the live coal in the tongs of offering at the altar, so that your mercy is proclaimed in all things as the lovingkindness of the Father, who embraced the prodigal son with fatherly inheritance, and led the prostitute to the bliss of the heavenly kingdom, was proclaimed by the Son of God. Amen. (Translated by Thomas J. Samuelian)

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 16: Cherry Walnut Chews

Muiron, Connecting the Drops

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Armodoxy for Today: Muiron, Connecting the Drops

From Armenia Muiron has been prepared and blessed, and now enters your home. We began this deep-dive with, and end it with, Jesus Christ – the alpha and the omega, the a and z, the ayb and keh, the center of our Faith. The Holy Muiron is blessed at the same location where Jesus descended and designated where the Church of the Armenian people would be built. From that same place, Holy Etchmiadzin, the Light of Holy Muiron now needs to radiate to the world.

Our starting point of this series was the story recounted in the Gospel of Matthew (26), of a woman anointing Jesus. Jesus took a break from the mundane workings of the world and focused on the act of love, charity and care offered to him. Our world today is no different from the time of Christ. Sure, there are more people and we may believe our troubles are more complex, but in reality we – people – are driven by the same urges, passions and temptations. Pride, envy, anger, laziness, gluttony, desires and lust were the reasons and are the reasons for all of our problems. Every seven years our Church takes a break from the mundane and celebrates the Love of Christ with this eccentric and beautiful tradition.

The Holy Muiron is the vehicle of the Holy Spirit communicating with us – each of us. On the eve of our Lord’s birth the angels proclaimed, “Peace on Earth and goodwill toward one another.” At the end of His ministry, our Lord says, “Peace I leave you…” but so that we are not orphaned, He promises the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, the Christian Church – the Body of Jesus Christ – is established by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Christian Church has had one consistent message for two millennia, no different from the message proclaimed at the Manger: Peace on Earth and goodwill toward one another.

Drop-by-drop the Holy Muiron was prepared over time and blessed with the most expensive and extravagant items found on Earth: the trees, their sap and fruit, the flowers and vegetation, the oils and nectars, the energy of Ararat, the Sacredness of Etchmiadzin, the power of the Holy Cross, the words of the Holy Gospel, the Holy Geghart, and mixed by St. Gregory the Illuminator and the entire assembly of saints, from the time of Christ forward, who add their prayers, tears, and joy to this mix. In other words, all that is necessary – everything we need – to bring about peace and goodwill toward one another is before us.

Every seven years, against the backdrop of a hurting world, this exotic elixir is mixed and blessed in Armenia and distributed as a tonic for the world. It is the gift of God, presented through the Armenian Church to the world. As Jesus announced, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16)

Having this background, you are now invited, to mix your prayers to this Muiron, to say “Amen” to the anointing that unites us to our past, our future, and all of eternity. This is the seventh year. This is the blessing of Holy Muiron.

We pray, from the prayer of the blessing of Holy Muiron, O Merciful Lord, send down your all-powerful Holy Spirit, and make this an anointing of holiness, spiritual grace, life for my life, protector of my spirit and my body, a joyful oil which was given to us through the law but enlightened through the new Covenant, with which You anointed your Holy Apostles, and to all of us through the new birth of the holy font of baptism… so that, kept away from evil, we may come to know You in holiness as Your children, and be with You always, having You Father and Holy Spirit with us and Christ in our heart, always. Amen.

Meeting Joseph Again

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Next Step with Fr. Vazken #698: A personal journey to meet the adoptive father of Jesus. Here is an encounter that begins 39 years ago, comes to a meeting and steps toward a sermon of compassion and care. Religion in America: the mixture of politics and religion, the Evangelical Church and Christianity for the rest. Religion as the lubricants and conductor to furthering political agendas, a caution and appeal to reason.
Meet the Press 10/17/21
Colin Powell passing
Joseph & Mary’s son (blog)
Superman III
Cassandra Wilson
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
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