Tag Archive for: Sacred

Advent 39-50: Swine & Pearls

Advent Day 39 of 50: 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: Akhtamar Island with Holy Cross Dome – captured, Fr. Vazken 2014

Profane on the Sacred

Next Step #657: An assault on democracy and the attack on the US Capitol is examined by Fr. Vazken in a contrast between the sacred and the profane. Chipping away at the sacred. Punctuation: Women and men in written form. The nonsense of non-denominationalization: literal or symbolic, all is defendable. The flow and beauty of the prime numbers and prime factors. Once again: Dates and Calendars. The 2021 MLK Retreat: A virtual event.
Unfolding of Assault on Democracy
“Merelots” (Memorial Day) HH Karekin II
“Merelots” (Memorial Day) Abp. Hovnan
MLK Retreat 2021 
A Pattern Language
AC101 – Christmas Date
Feast of the Fools
Thou, Dear God by Martin Luther King Jr
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Paul Simon’s American Tune
Paul Simon’s American Tune today (LA Times 2019)
Cover: Jan 6, 2021, US Capital invaded, Washington DC
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Here comes Hope & the Sun

Next Step #563: Vernal Equinox: Here comes the Sun, here comes hope: Sunrise service. Tragedy in New Zealand: Sacred and the Profane. Raw thoughts about fear, hope and changing our expressions in the age of terror. Words of caution on hypocrisy. What happened to down-time during Lent? Disney, Fox and the Star Wars ride. Asking Prager, really? Modern day Phariseeism.
Jesus is Love by the Commodores
Reclaim Gomidas 2019
AC202: Gomidas
Reclaim Video Invite
New Zealand Terror
Christ at our Doorstep: Last Station Stop
Prodigal Son
Dishonest Steward
Disneyland Hotels Sold Out
Cover: Here Comes the Sun, Fr. Vazken 2019
Technical Director: Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!

Busy Bodies of Religion

Next Step #514: The forgotten epilogue of St. John’s Gospel explored, bringing a lesson of religious relativism in pluralistic society. Discover this unexplored passage. More on Fr. Vazken’s recent Mormon experience in Utah. Beyond debate: finding the sacredness in our lives. The “Follow Me” command and Peter: from denial to reinstatement. When cartoons moved from animals with persona to persons with animal antics.
River of Tears” by Credo /
Droopy “Northwest Hounded Police”
Joseph Smith Statue at Temple Square
Melchizedek Wiki
Reinstatement of Peter
Cover: Busy B on Virgil, circa 1990s
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!

Standing Rock

Next Step #454: Different reasons bring people to Standing Rock, but what’s inescapable is the power of the Spirit to move, heal and resolve the great issues. Spiritual Warfare: A visit to Standing Rock, meeting with the people, the issue and the land. An interview with Revo: Some candid comments about the Creator, the Pipeline and the power of prayer. Lakota Values that transcend: prayer, respect, compassion, honesty, generosity, humility and wisdom. Offerings to the the Sacred Fire: Tobacco, Sage, River Grass & Cedar.
Dele Yaman – Wings on Fire
Pictures from Standing Rock
Ladonna
Ladonna on America
Seven Lakota Values
100 Year Journey
What can I do to help
More to come in the coming days at Fr. Vazken’s Blog: www.Armodoxy.blogspot.com
RECLAIM conference: www.Embracing-Faith.com
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!