Tag Archive for: Heart

Pearl & Swine

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Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – Swine & Pearls

Immediately following his exhortation to not judge others, Jesus seems to be giving us the responsibility to make some judgement calls regarding possessions.

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

With this violent metaphor, Jesus asks us to honor the intrinsic value of our treasures. He is asking us to contemplate what is valuable in our life and in so doing, to designate those things as sacred, special, and holy. Far from a judgement call, Jesus is asking us to look inward to find those treasures.

Earlier Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Apply the rule of symmetry and where your heart is, there you will find your treasure. Taking an inventory of those treasures will give you a list with health, relationships, love, time, compassion claiming the top spots. It is your heart manifesting this list. Let this list fill your journal with the goodness that God has bestowed upon you. Don’t rush through this process, for you will find treasures where you did not expect.

With this short statement, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine,” Jesus mandates that we take the sacred seriously, to keep it holy. Care and protect those treasures from enemies visible and invisible. As you visualize a treasure such a health and counter it with the enemies that attack it, you understand that once again Jesus has invited you to take on personal responsibility.

We are growing spiritually during this Advent journey. Let us pray, Christ, protector of the faithful, protect me under the shadow of your holy and precious Cross in peace. Deliver me from enemies visible and invisible so that I may always glorify you with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Cover: Aghtamar, Fr. Vazken 2014

Treasures here and there

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Armodoxy for Today: The Advent Series – Treasures here and there

By this point in the Advent Journey it is quite clear that what Jesus taught was not rabbinic law, nor did it resemble the Old Testament as it was taught in his time. If the difference between “what you heard” and “this is what I tell you” is not clear yet, fear not, the remainder of the Sermon on the Mount will round off the essential teachings of Jesus in a manner that logical and as a matter of fact. Today’s passage makes this very clear and is a natural follow up to what we have learned.

Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

No longer are his words argumentative, rather Jesus lays out a truth in an axiomatic manner: If your treasure is here on earth, then so is your heart. If your treasure is secured in heaven, then your heart is there as well. He forces you to think of what is important in your life. What are the treasures that you accumulate? Material wealth we all understand, but what are the treasures of heaven? Try: Compassion and empathy for the pain and suffering of others. Meekness. Purity of Heart. Seeking peace and justice. And if you need any more, remember the outline from the beginning of our journey, they are called the Beatitudes.

The benefits of treasures in heaven are self-evident. It follows that your works reflect your heart’s grounding.

St. Nersess Shnorhali offers this prayer today, from the 16th hour of his confession of faith, “My God, who opens Your hand and fills all things living with Your bounty, to You I commit my soul, do care for me and provide for the needs of my body and soul forever.  Amen.

 

Advent 30-50: Treasures

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Advent Day 30 of 50: Treasures

By this point in the Advent Journey it is quite clear that what Jesus taught was not rabbinic law, nor did it resemble the Old Testament as it was taught in his time. If the difference between “what you heard” and “this is what I tell you” is not clear yet, fear not, the remainder of the Sermon on the Mount will round off the essential teachings of Jesus in a manner that logical and as a matter of fact. Today’s passage makes this very clear and is a natural follow up to what we have learned.

Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

No longer are his words argumentative, rather Jesus lays out a truth in an axiomatic manner: If your treasure is here on earth, then so is your heart. If your treasure is secured in heaven, then your heart is there as well. He forces you to think of what is important in your life. What are the treasures that you accumulate? Material wealth we all understand, but what are the treasures of heaven? Try: Compassion and empathy for the pain and suffering of others. Meekness. Purity of Heart. Seeking peace and justice. And if you need any more, remember the outline from the beginning of our journey, they are called the Beatitudes.

The benefits of treasures in heaven are self-evident.. It follows that your works reflect your heart’s grounding.

St. Nersess Shnorhali offers this prayer today, from the 16th hour of his confession of faith, “My God, who opens Your hand and fills all things living with Your bounty, to You I commit my soul, do care for me and provide for the needs of my body and soul forever.  Amen.

Cover: Envato Elements