Tag Archive for: Jesus’ Message

Starting Point: Simplicity

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Armodoxy for Today: Simplicity

Jesus Tweeted.  That’s not meant to be funny, neither is it meant to shock you, nor to make Jesus contemporary. God forbid. Jesus and his message are always contemporary and therefore, relevant to us. Rather, “Jesus tweeted,” is merely to use a contemporary term to describe a very effective means by which Jesus communicated with us. His messages were concise, simple and to the point.

“Unless a grain of wheat die, it remains a single seed,” is a Tweet. (John 12:24)

“My family are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Another Tweet. (Math 12:50)

“Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you,” and “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you,” are two more examples.  (Matt. 7:12, Matt. 5:44)

When the platform “X” first came out, it was known as Twitter, and the messages were called and still are called Tweets. At the beginning, users were limited to 140 characters to articulate an idea, a thought or a message. It was a true challenge to the user to simplify a message. We’re invited to do the same with our Faith, to find God’s voice in the simplest expression. The petal of a flower, the smile of a child or the touch of a friend in need, are starting points in Armodoxy.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me… for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19:14)

Let us pray the first and simplest prayer that a Christian must know: Lord, have mercy on me. Amen.

Advent 50: The Message

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Armodoxy for Today/Advent Journey 50: The Message

The Nicene Creed – “We Believe in the Father almighty, creator heaven and earth…” You know it, “We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the Father… Light of Light, Very God of Very God…” It’s the standard by which we proclaim Faith as members of the Christian Church, whether in the Orthodox or Roman Catholic traditions or in mainline protestant churches, the Nicene Creed is the Confession of Faith… This is what we believe.

And while we proclaim faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and confess his birth, baptism, passion, crucifixion, burial and resurrection, there is something that is not proclaimed in the Creed. We remember the events of Jesus’ life without mention of his teachings! We believe in what he taught!

What are the teachings of Christ? You’d be surprised to learn them, because some of them sound so outlandish: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” “Blessed are the meek.” “Do not resist evil.” “Turn the other cheek.” And “Love your enemies.”

These examples all come from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7. I refer to these three chapters as the “essential teachings” of Jesus. In fact, when students ask me how to read the Bible, I have them start at this point, because Jesus lays out what is asked of us by God. This Advent Season, we will be focusing on the Sermon on the Mount: The Essential Teachings of Jesus. Each one leading us to finding the Christ in Christmas.

Today, we begin with the reading of what is known as the Beatitudes. It is the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus outlines what is considered a blessing. Contemplate these today. You may wish to keep a journal, written or mental, through the 50 days of Advent. When we finish at the Theophany, we will read these once again, it will be interesting to compare your thoughts then with what you hear today.

St. Matthew records this in his Gospel, “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Cover photo: Luna & Gregory Beylerian for Epostle.net 2023