Tag Archive for: Positivity

Silence is Not Golden

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Armodoxy for Today: Silence is not Golden

The negative manner in which commandments are presented in the Old Testament, particularly in the most familiar “Top Ten” commandments, has left the impression that commandments are about restrictions. For instance, we’re familiar with “Thou shall not kill” over “Thou shall revere life.” Or “Thou shall not commit adultery” over “Thou shall be loving and faithful.”

Christ change the negativity tone of the commandments to positive statements promoting action. “Do unto others as you want them to do unto you!” (Matthew 7) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul.” (Mark 12) “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5) Do, love, pray, are all action verbs. Jesus sends us – you and me, from the apostles to today, into the world with a positive message of doing, loving and praying.

This a fundamental shift in understanding of relationship with God because it is predicated on our relationship with one another and our world. Hence, sin is not found in doing something, but in not doing what is commanded. Poignantly expressed by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.”  (The Trumpet of Conscience)

Do, Love and Pray: Important actions in reaction to a world plagued by war, toxicity, hatred, intolerance and even genocide. Yes, the sin is in not acting. Today we ask, May I do, love and pray more and more, in reaction to the world. Doing what I can, loving without ceasing, and praying through it all. Amen.

Okay to Live

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Armodoxy for Today: Okay to Live

This week was an okay week in Armodoxy. We said it was okay to think, to question, to doubt and to have fun, and to top it off, today, we confirm it all by saying, it’s okay to live!

To live! It seems like a given, doesn’t it. No doubt, some of you are asking, why state the obvious? Tragically, it’s not that obvious for many. Religion more often than not, is presented as a prescription for all the don’ts – the regulations – that society imposes on us. Why the Ten  Commandments themselves are mostly – 9 out of 10 – about not doing something. The Old Testament has over six-hundred law, most of which are negatively framed.

Jesus’ message is refreshing because it is a positive message. Go and love! (John 15) Care! Help! Give! The blessing is in the giving more than the receiving! (Acts 20) Do unto others! (Luke 6) His parables are about acting, not withholding (cf. Matthew 25).

Christianity is enabling and empowering. “I have come so that you will have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) It is uplifting and celebratory. Yes, it is okay to live! The first Gospel, that is the first “good news” expressed by the Christian Church was Christ has risen! Death lost its sting! Life won over death and love over hate! The Armenian Church attests to this in its rich celebratory liturgies, and it does so with authority because the Armenian Church was there! We were witnesses to the Resurrection and the Victory. For this reason, the Armenian cross is always bare, as a reminder that life does not end at the Cross but continues!

We pray today, Lord our God, fill us with the joy of the Resurrection always. Keep us focused on the Victory of the Cross. May your precious cross protect us from enemies visible and invisible so we may do that which is pleasing to you always, to love, share and care. Amen.