Tag Archive for: Love

Forgotten: The Message

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Armodoxy for Today: The Forgotten, part 8 – the Message

The document that professes the faith of the Christian Church, and Christian world is known as the Nicene Creed. It is a set of definitions that establish who is a Christian. It was formulated 1700 years ago, in 325, by representatives from different countries, gathering for the first time since Pentecost as the Universal Christian Church in Nicaea.

The four parts of the Creed explain God, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the function of the Holy Church.

The longest portion in the Creed is the one about Jesus Christ – Begotten, not made, of the same substance as the Father, true God of true God…  Actually, the council was called together by the Emperor Constantine to “sort out” the many misconceptions and heresies regarding the person of Jesus.

With all the details about Jesus Christ articulated, there is one crucial point that is forgotten, it is his message! The message of Jesus, as the fulfilment of the law and the prophets, as this revolutionary understanding that we are all children of God, that our only hope in this world is to extend ourselves to one another, that love is the most powerful weapon against hatred and evil. As mentioned, the purpose of the meeting was about the person of Jesus, which the Creed articulates. So, it is not that it was intentionally left out, but today, even a simple, “We believe in the message of faith, hope and love as expressed by Jesus Christ” would have been welcomed by this 21st century observer.

For us today, the understanding of Christ’s message is essential in defining a Christian. What good is it to proclaim Christianity without living the life prescribed by Christ? For this reason his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is so over-the-top important -that if going to the altar of God, you remember you have a grievance with someone, leave your gift at the altar, go first and make up and then come to the altar. (Matthew 5:24) In very simple terms, more important than God (leaving your gifts) is our relationship with one another.

We pray, Lord Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life, you have given us a message of unconditional and uncompromising love. Open my heart so that I understand that that love is the only way, truth and life. Amen.

Family Affair

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Armodoxy for Today: Family Ties

The reading for this Sunday came from the eight chapter of the Gospel of Luke. While Jesus is actively engaged in His ministry, by teaching and sharing profound parables, his mother and brothers come to him, but, Scripture records that they “could not approach Him because of the crowd.” (19) He’s told that his mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see him.

Jesus, changes the conversation, taking the emphasis off of the actual characters of his family, including the Blessed Mother by saying, “My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (21)

With this statement Jesus has opened the doors to God, the Kingdom and to all of Eternity to everyone. Hearing the word of God and doing it, is a formula that is simple and doable. It implies that the word of God is action. It has to be done. “A new commandment I give to you,” says Jesus, “that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Being a member of Jesus’ family, that is, being a Christian, comes down to doing, loving, sharing, caring, reaching, hugging, consoling, praying, comforting, listening, sacrificing, extending yourself to others.

Accordingly, todays  prayer asks for the essentials to be a member of Christ’s family. Lord, open my soul to the courage and strength to be a member of your family. Amen.

Translating Today

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Armodoxy for Today: Translator

Translating is the first step in understanding. The fact that there is so much misunderstanding in our world today points to an inability (or unwillingness) to translate. The Armenian Church celebrates the “Holy Translators” (Srbots Tarkmanchats), this coming weekend. The men in this group were not contemporaries of one another, that is, they lived in different time periods, separated over a span of 700 years or so, yet they are known as a group, The Holy Translators. Yesterday we looked at the group and found the common thread among them was their ability to communicate by simplifying that which was complicated and complex.

Jesus was the ultimate translator. He came to a world that was wrapped up in laws and regulations which kept people alienated from the essence of Faith, namely from God. He simplified it. With parables about wheat, seeds, soil, and talents, he simplified the most complex ideas of purpose and God-centeredness. He simplified the complicated laws. There are 617 laws in the Old Testament. Moses brought it down to 10 commandments. Jesus, simplified it even further, down to one word: Love. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” He answered when questioned which is the greatest commandment.  “And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-38)

Consider how simple this is. If you love God and love your neighbor, you can’t murder, you can’t lie, you can’t steal, you are filled with honor for others. Accordingly, it follows then, that the simplification of the law and the prophets was found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the fulfilment of the law and prophets. He said so distinctly, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

The Holy Translators directed people to Christ. It was St. Nersess Shnorhali, the 12th century member of this group, who equated Christ with Love. “The name of Love is Jesus” he wrote in the Aravod Luso hymn. In pointing to Christ, the Holy Translators were pointing to love as the golden key of understanding. That is, through love, the most complex and complicated realities are translated and simplified.

The translators are persons in history, but we have translators in our midst today. Think of a mother, who stands between her husband, children, sometimes parents, sometimes extended family, and somehow translates the differing ideas and tones to bring about harmony. Think of the teacher who spends extra time with a student to assure him or her that there are options after a failed test. Or think of the priest who brings comfort to a family who cannot understand how they will survive the tragic loss of a loved one. These are all people who have accepted the invitation to translate, that is, to understand others. And the invitation is now given to us – you and me. Accept the invitation. Translate the complexity of bitterness, hatred, separatism, and everything else that prevents us from understanding one another, translate them to the simplicity of the message of Christ: love.

Let us pray, “Lord Christ our God, through the intercession of your Holy Translators, Saints Mesrob, Yeghishe, Movses the poet, David the invincible philosopher, Gregory of Narek and Nersess of Kla, I ask that you open my heart to understanding so that I may be in harmony with my surroundings and those with whom I come into contact. May I find joy in the simplicity of your Love commandment and keep that ever before me as I go through this life. In all things I glorify you with the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Symbol of Productivity

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Armodoxy for Today: Grapes, the Symbol of Productivity

In John chapter 15, Jesus sets up a metaphor, with himself being the vine, his Father the vinedresser and us, the branches. No matter how you twist or turn these three, the message is clear: Life is about productivity. Life is meant to be lived. We are the branches of the metaphor and the only way to be productive – to bear fruit, grapes – is to be connected to the vine.

The Vine, Jesus Christ, is incarnate Love. A productive life is one that is nurtured and the fueled by Love. Only when you are connected to the Vine, to Love, does life have purpose and meaning. A life of love is not selfish. The branch is not preoccupied with self-love and self-preservation. The ego is placed to one side and fruit – robust, juicy, flavorful, aromatically alluring grapes poke through the hard and rough branches to bring joy to those who partake.

Only by being connected to the vine does this happen. A branch cut from the Vine, cut from Love, only stands alone and withers.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

The Grapes

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Armodoxy for Today: The Grapes

The first fruits of the season, grapes, are blessed on the Feast of the Assumption of the Asdvadzadzin. Last week, we built up to the Feast with reflections on the Blessed Mother, Mary. This week, we meditate on the meaning of the grapes based the Jesus’ words, recorded in John, chapter 15:

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit….  

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Actions to Love

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Armodoxy for Today, one minute for Summertime: Actions to Love

Christianity is a religion of action. Over and over again, Christ teaches that we are to use the talents God has given us to bring goodness to lives – ours, as well as the lives of others. It is in doing that we discover responsibility. Hence, life has value and meaning when we act, when we share the gifts God showers on us, with others.

Jesus’ singular commandment was to love. And to avoid an misunderstanding, Jesus demonstrates the action of love with His life. “Love one another as I have loved you,” he says (John 13:34). Jesus’ love is a sacrificial love. We’re called to that same standard, to love by giving of ourselves.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Don’t don’t, Do

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Armodoxy for Today, one minute for Summertime: Don’t don’t, Do

I received a well-intentioned informational video the other day from a church, in which the narrator explained, while a model visually demonstrated the dos and don’ts of church attendance. This was the latest incarnation of a list outlining church etiquette that has been floating around as long as I can remember: Don’t cross your legs, don’t chew gum, don’t wear sleeveless shirts or blouses, and about 20 other rules. Sadly, only one item on the list was “do” and even sadder was that it pointed to women having to wear head coverings.

In their good intentions to keep the sanctuary space sacred, often these lists are skewed to the “don’t” side, giving the impression that Christianity is about curtailing and restricting actions. A quick glance at the Bible reveals that the Old Testament contains 613 laws and regulations. Moses brought it down to a manageable size with the 10 Commandments. Jesus summarized with the word “Love.” Not a prohibition but a direct order to “do,” to Love.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

No Atheists in Birthing Rooms

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Armodoxy for Today: Birthing Rooms

A foxhole is a hole in the ground used by soldiers as shelter against enemy fire. It’s been said that there are no atheists in foxholes. It’s an aphorism to suggest that in times of extreme fear or threat of death people will appeal to a higher power. In other words, when looking in the face of death, even the atheist will admit to a God.

Many years ago, I discovered another place where there are no atheists. The night my first child was born, it occurred to me that there aren’t any atheists in birthing rooms, either. When looking in the face of life, in its most delicate and novel state, you realize that the loss of your emotions is a connection to something greater than yourself. The details of fingernails that are thinner than paper point to life as anything but an accident.

I tested the theory a couple of times after that first experience. Same conclusion: There are no atheists in birthing rooms.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Love that Chiasm

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Armodoxy for Today: Chiastic Love

A chiasmus is a literary form as old as recorded civilization. It is defined as a reversal in the order of words in two otherwise parallel phrases. For instance, sayings such as, “Say what you mean, and mean what you say” or on the lighter side, “Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you.”

St. Augustine appealed to the chiasmus form when he said, “The measure of love is to love without measure.”

Loving without measure is one of the hallmarks of Christianity. Love without limits allows us to understand all the other teachings of Jesus, such as charity, forgiveness or humility, as the challenge to be Christ-like.

The measure of love is to love without measure. Today’s one minute for Summertime.

Stale Vision of War

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Armodoxy for Today: Stale Vision

The word “stale” describes food that is “No longer fresh and pleasant to eat; hard, musty, or dry,” says the dictionary. The word easily can be applied to nonedible items, even to the abstract.  A quick glance at the geopolitical situation of our world and you can easily apply the “stale” descriptor to visions that breed hatred, vie for power and lead to wars. As it states in Proverbs, Where there is no vision, the people perish. (29:18)

The stale vision of fighting fire with fire, that might makes right, or stratagems such as, appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak, only guarantee the perpetuation of wars.

Look closer at the holders of these so-called visions, and you’ll find they belong to older men who draft the young ones to fight those wars.

Jesus came to the world to challenge the stale visions with an option for life.  “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’” (Matthew 9) says Jesus, to a world that is desperate for a vision, a vision which is articulated by love and its manifestations, such as mercy.

Today we fund wars throughout the world based on stale visions which propagate more hatred and more war. Death, disease, famine instead of life, health and wealth. Think of the billions, if not trillions, of dollars that can be used to fight larger wars, such as housing and sheltering homeless populations, or truly finding meaningful solutions to refugee issues, abolishing slavery or physically transferring flood waters to areas devastated by drought or exploring new innovations in medicine and technology to improve the quality of life. Yes, life, health and wealth.

The stale vision of war is literally and figuratively a one-way ticket to death – “the people perish.”

As the Body of Christ, the Church, has a responsibility and duty to continue to herald the vision for peace as delivered to us by Christ, “Peace on Earth and goodwill toward one another.” This a sacred calling which is pronounced by God and heeded by humanity.

Armodoxy is a testament to the power of Life, and it comes from the Body that proclaims that power, the Body of Christ, His Holy Church. Here, Faith, Hope and Love are advocated, in the Divine Vision offered by the One who is The Way, the Truth and the Life!

We end today with a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. O God, we thank you for the lives of great saints and prophets in the past, who have revealed to us that we can stand up amid the problems and difficulties and trials of life and not give in. We thank you for our forefathers, who’ve given us something in the midst of the darkness of exploitation and oppression to keep going. Grant that we will go on with the proper faith and the proper determination of will, so that we will be able to make a creative contribution to this world. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.