Tag Archive for: Living Water

Like the Pepsi / Coke Challenge?

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Armodoxy for Today: The Pepsi – Coke challenge

Since 1975, the Pepsi company has been challenging cola drinkers to taste test Pepsi next to the top seller, Coke. Yes, since 1975 – over fifty years now – people are stopped in public arenas and asked to taste Pepsi and Coke in unmarked glasses and state the taste they prefer. It makes for great advertising and marketing. It’s simple, understandable by all. The characters are relatable, because the man-on-the-street is the “average joe.” He’s the layman in the world of colas.

I often receive questions about Armenian Orthodoxy in a very simplistic manner. Armenian Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism, it’s it just Coke and Pepsi? Which do you prefer? In a sense it is, they all profess to be Christian, but the differences are not as simple as a formula for Pepsi or Coke. In the cola wars, it is a matter of taste and opinion, and in fact, there are several other brands that can also be placed in the competition. They are all colas. In the case of Christianity, not all brands are alike. In the two thousand years since Christ, many wars, acts of intolerance, bigotry and killings have been waged in the pure name of Jesus Christ. Many have been judged and sentenced for not believing in the same doctrines as the ruling class.

Tragically these bigoted ideas continue to exist in the world, “in the name of Christ.”

Armenian Orthodoxy goes to the beginning and shares the Apostolic message, which is the message of Christ: to profess the Gospel, bring comfort to the broken hearted and set at liberty those who are captives and oppressed.

If a metaphor is necessary, think of the refreshment that Jesus offers: Out of you heart will flow rivers of living water, he says, Whoever drinks of this water will never thirst. (John 5,4)

A prayer for St. Nersess Shnorhali (18) Fountain of immortality, cause the tears of repentance to flow from my heart, like those of Mary Magdalene, so that before I depart this world, I may wash away the sins of my soul. Amen.

Living Water from My Car

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Armodoxy for Today: Living Water in My Car

The fires swept through different parts of Los Angeles. People were evacuated from their homes as their neighborhoods went up in flames. When the “all clear” was given families returned to find either a house standing or the worst. The news source was in the ON mode 24hrs a day, whether on a phone, computer, radio or television set, that news said where and when entry was allowed and what to expect in those burnt areas. “The water supply has been compromised!” “Do not drink the water from the tap.” “Drink only bottled water,” were the first warnings that came with a pass to return home.

On my way home, stopped at a red traffic light, I had so much on my mind that I didn’t notice the group of young people standing at the corner. Suddenly they opened my car door and put two cases of water in the back seat. One of the guys asked if I wanted another case, and before I could answer – before I knew what was going on – he put a third case on top of the others in my back seat.

The light was still red. I looked up. Happy – celebrating – young people were holding up signs with the words, “Free Water”. I asked what was going on? What was the source of this water? They said they were from the “Living Water” Church. It’s a church that’s just up the street from us. In other words, the church was also in the danger zone, and yet, their congregants were out on the corner sharing their fortune with others.

I asked the source of the water, and I got an answer that pointed me to a deep spring. “Living Water” refers to a passage from John chapter 7, where Jesus proclaims, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me… out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (37-38)

There were no strings attached to the water. They only shared the name of the church because I asked. I tell you, if I didn’t have a church, I would definitely consider going there. And in fact, I will play hooky one day and go there. What a beautiful gesture. My heart swelled when I remembered the words of our Lord, “I was thirsty, and you gave me drink…. For when you did it to the least of my brothers you did it for Me.”

From the fifth hour of St. Nersess Shnorhali’s I confess with faith,” we pray, “Spirit of God, true God, who descended on the river Jordan, and into the Upper Room; who enlightened me by the baptism of the Holy Font, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Purify me again with your divine fire, as the fiery tongues purified the Holy Apostles. Have mercy upon your creatures, and on me. Amen.

The Water Ad

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Armodoxy for Today: The Super Bowl Ad you missed

This week before the beginning of Great Lent starts with a passage from the Gospel of St. John, where Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (Luke 7:37-38)

Jesus’ offer is unique in that He is a fountain from which we can quench our thirst, but He also empowers us, so that “living water” flows from us.

Think about this as a product. There are many brands of designer waters these days, some touting special pH levels that can bring about health benefits. Other brands are locale based, with treats from Arrowhead, the Alps and even Iceland. And all carry hefty price-tags in comparison to the similar looking stuff that comes out of the kitchen faucet. Now, think about the “Living Water” described by Jesus: A water that quenches thirst and then empowers you with “rivers” of flowing water. How much would that be worth?

The Sunday on which this passage of scripture is read in the Armenian Church often coincides with Super Bowl Sunday. If ever there was a market for the thirst-quenching drinks, the Super Bowl audience seems to fit the bill. In 2023, the average cost for advertising on the Super Bowl was $7Million a half a minute! And companies that advertise on the Super Bowl have the financials figured out, that is, if they’re going to buy a 30 second spot on the Super Bowl for $7Million, be assured that they are assured that sales will offset the cost of advertising. How many bottles of beers must be sold to pay off a half-a-minute ad? How many soft drinks must be sold to cover the bill of advertising? Whatever the number, we know that these companies are not losing money. They are investing in their product, as they should. It is a product they believe in, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” says Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The challenge before us today is to invest in the drink from the living fountain that will give living water. The investment is with your most precious commodity, you! Read the passage of the day again (John 7:37-39). Jesus offers to quench our thirst and to empower us as a source for Living Water. As we unravel this week with its messages of saints and sacraments, we prepare ourselves for the beginning of the Great Lent season. It is a time of spiritual growth and Christian living. I’m asking you to buy the product. You will taste and know the difference because it quenches thirst like nothing else.

Let us pray, “Fountain of immortality, help me to grow in your love. I come willingly to drink from you. I thirst and I have heard your call. Accept me as I am. I am on the journey of life and seek the water you offer. Amen.”

Cover photo: Lake Van, 2019 Fr. Vazken

13B23

Designer Water

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Armodoxy for Today: The Super Bowl Ad you missed

This week before the beginning of Great Lent starts with a passage from the Gospel of St. John, where Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (Luke 7:37-38)

Jesus’ offer is unique in that He is a fountain from which we can quench our thirst, but He also empowers us, so that “living water” flows from us.

Think about this as a product. There are many brands of designer waters these days, some touting special pH levels that can bring about health benefits. Other brands are locale based, with treats from Arrowhead, the Alps and even Iceland. And all carry hefty price-tags in comparison to the similar looking stuff that comes out of the kitchen faucet. Now, think about the “Living Water” described by Jesus: A water that quenches thirst and then empowers you with “rivers” of flowing water. How much would that be worth?

The Sunday on which this passage of scripture is read in the Armenian Church often coincides with Super Bowl Sunday. If ever there was a market for the thirst-quenching drinks, the Super Bowl audience seems to fit the bill. In 2023, the average cost for advertising on the Super Bowl was $7Million a half a minute! And companies that advertise on the Super Bowl have the financials figured out, that is, if they’re going to buy a 30 second spot on the Super Bowl for $7Million, be assured that they are assured that sales will offset the cost of advertising. How many bottles of beers must be sold to pay off a half-a-minute ad? How many soft drinks must be sold to cover the bill of advertising? Whatever the number, we know that these companies are not losing money. They are investing in their product, as they should. It is a product they believe in, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” says Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The challenge before us today is to invest in the drink from the living fountain that will give living water. The investment is with your most precious commodity, you! Read the passage of the day again (John 7:37-39). Jesus offers to quench our thirst and to empower us as a source for Living Water. As we unravel this week with its messages of saints and sacraments, we prepare ourselves for the beginning of the Great Lent season. It is a time of spiritual growth and Christian living. I’m asking you to buy the product. You will taste and know the difference because it quenches thirst like nothing else.

Let us pray, “Fountain of immortality, help me to grow in your love. I come willingly to drink from you. I thirst and I have heard your call. Accept me as I am. I am on the journey of life and seek the water you offer. Amen.”