Jesus is the name of Love, says St. Nersess Shnorhali, and
it is from this proclamation that we begin our Lenten Journey into the Divine
Liturgy. Love is the one thing in life that crosses over ethnic, gender,
socio-economic, geographic, and other differences that divide the world and humanity. It is the
most powerful and yet most delicate energy known to humankind. It is said that
it can move mountains, yet untamed it can destroy the strongest heart.
We often speak of the mystical and spiritual dimensions of
life, understanding that there is more to life than the temporal trappings –
that which we sense, whether through feelings, taste, smell, vocal and audible
utterings. This dimension of life, that which is beyond our physical understanding,
we assign to God, to Energy, to the Universe or in one word, the Divine.
However or in what manner we try to describe it, we come to a point where our
limited faculties are unable to comprehend the vastness of the Divine.
Within Orthodoxy we appeal to sacraments, that is, the outward and comprehendible means by which the incomprehensible is delivered to us. Of the 7 known Sacraments, the Holy Eucharist, the Divine Liturgy, is the one which is most accessible to us all. Our first day of this Journey begins with an acceptance that the Divine Realm is accessible to us, that the Divine Liturgy has a design and purpose to bring us closer to the Energy which surrounds us and at the same time is within us.
Take some time on this first of 40 days, to accept the
fullness and depth of the Divine. Accept that this journey is not one that is
marked by steps, but one which is made up of connections, between your physical
being and the spirit and emotions that define life. Put preconceptions to one
side and open yourself to the wonder that is, the Divine Liturgy.
Part of the expanding vision of the In His Shoes Mission. Visit our website for more information. www.InHisShoes.org
Music by Torkom Saraydarian "A Touch of Heart"
Lenten Recipe 1: "Cream" of Asparagus Soup
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Get A Lenten Journey with Fr. Vazken delivered by email
View in iTunes
Play/Stream on BluBrry
Listen via Stitcher Radio
No comments:
Post a Comment