LJ2021 - Day 40 - Blessed

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 40: Blessed
Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it. - Jesus (Matthew 13)

At the end of the Lenten Journey we receive a blessing that may be unexpected. We have found something which we never lost. We began this journey 40 days ago with a challenge. Amidst the twists and turns of this 40 day venture, we have walked along side and through the Kingdom, and today we find it within us. The road ahead is brightened with this reality. 

Graphic: Fantastic Landscape with a Road publicdomainpictures.net

LJ2021 - Day 39 - Abide

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 39: Abide
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. - Jesus (John 14:15-17

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are revealed in this statement of Christ. To abide in God means to know God. Knowing does not necessarily mean understanding, but it does mean accepting and acting in accordance with His commandment to love. The Lenten Journey has as its goal abiding in Christ and therefore, to love.

Graphic: Publicdomainpictures.net

LJ2021 - Day 38 - Christ

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 38: Christ

Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. - Jesus (Matthew 25:31-46)

The transitive property (of equality) says that if a=b and b=c then a=c. In Christ we find transitive property of life, namely that to serve God means to serve people. To love God means to love people, your brother, sister, and neighbor. 

Graphic: Publicdomainpictures.net

LJ2021 - Day 37 - Living

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 37: Living
God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. - Jesus (Matthew 22:32)

In the final days of this year's Lenten Journey, the lessons come together to set a path for our movement forward. The lessons point to life because Jesus is life. There is no death in the presence of life.

Graphic: Publicdomainpictures.net

LJ2021 - Day 36 - Freedom

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 36: Freedom
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” ... Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. - Jesus (Luke 4:17-21)

Jesus' message was one of freedom. The release from bondage that comes with and from Christ is complete, and not limited to a spiritual understanding. He frees the poor as well as the brokenhearted, the oppressed as well as the blind. The Lenten Journey is to walk away from all that ties you down and prevents you from experiencing that freedom.

Graphic: Publicdomainpictures.net

LJ2021 - Day 35 - Basics

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 35: Basics
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.   This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. - Jesus (Matthew 22)

We enter the final week of this year's Lenten Journey. A life touched by a pandemic has complicated our lives in many ways. Finding the basics, the simple "bottom line," is part of the Lenten Journey. Jesus cuts through the law and the prophets and profoundly proclaims the message of love - toward God and toward neighbor. See and find the basics of life today, they are not too different from what has been basic to life from the beginning. 

Graphic: publicdomainvectors.org

ԼՃ2021 - Day 34 - Alone

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 34: Alone
Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. - Jesus (Mark 14)

In our lifetime, we take actions that are in line with our principles and our understanding of the world. We refer to the "voice within" as our conscience and we respond in a manner for which we must be responsible. How others perceive our actions don't seem to matter when we are truly committed to our ideals and dreams, causing us to often land in a lonely place. Jesus gives the criterion, "service for me" as a celebration for your loneliness. 

Graphic: Publicdomainpictures.net

LJ2021 - Day 33 - Outward Appearance

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 33: Outward Appearance
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. - Jesus (Matthew 23)

Our outward appearance is important, in deed. It sets the stage for our work, our social activities, our friendships and relationships. Jesus reminds us that equally as important, and perhaps even more, is the appearance of our soul. Imagine how much more intense, genuine and engaging would be our work, social activities, friendships and relationships, if we toned our inner soul.

Graphic: Old Graveyard, publicdomainpictures.net

  

LJ2021 - Day 32 - Courage

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 32: Courage
Get up and do not be afraid. - Jesus (Matthew 17:7)

There are two parts of courage, as understood from Jesus' command. Absence of fear is an obvious attribute of courage. Not so obvious is the necessity to act about that loss of fear, that is, to "get up" and live. The Lenten Journey is about finding this courage that leads to a productive life.

Graphic: PublicDomainPictures.net

LJ2021 - Day 31 - God's choice

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 31: God's choice
I do choose. Be made clean! - Jesus (Mark 1)

A man approaches Jesus and ask for a spiritual healing, with the condition, "If you (Jesus) so choose?" The question is, why wouldn't he choose to do so? Why wouldn't he want you to be walking in the Grace of God? Once you know Jesus is on-board for the salvation of your soul, you merely have to listen for the words that follow, "Be made clean!"

Graphic Lifewire fanjianhua / Getty Images

LJ - Day 30 - Purpose

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 30: Purpose
Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do. - Jesus (Mark 1)

As we enter into the final 10 days of Lent, our focus begins to turn toward action, which must be guided with purpose. Your purpose in life is defined by your calling. We are each called to do something special in life. The Lenten Journey gives us an opportunity to sift through some of the clouds of confusion and focus on our purpose, as a child, perhaps a parent or spouse, as a worker - employer or employee - .... as a human being, that is, our purpose as a person. And, like Jesus, proclaim it. 

Graphic FreeIMG.net

LJ2021 - Day 29 - Tears

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 29: Tears
Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. - Jesus (Luke 7)

Tears are the outward expression of our inner emotions. Often, they come forth in times of sadness and therefore, may be unnoticed at times of joy. The intensity of emotions that push forth tears draws attention to the fine line between sadness and joy. The pandemic has put distance and time between loved one, and tears often point to that space, both, with the sadness of the reality and the joy of being near again.

Graphic: PDPics.com Public Domain

LJ2021 - Day 28 - Prayer

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 28: Prayer
I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. - Jesus (Luke 18)

In the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18) Jesus shares a story that points to the need for prayer in our life and not to lose heart. Following the story, the point and intention of prayer is justice. What are the injustices you've felt in your life? Can you point to the justice that has been achieved, "quickly," following your prayers? With less than two weeks left for the Lenten Journey, has your understanding of justice changed since the first days of this journey?

Graphic: Child's First Prayer, Public Domain

LJ2021 - Day 27 - Children

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 27: Children
Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. - Jesus (Matthew 19)

What are the attributes of children that make them the prime candidates for inheritors of the kingdom of heaven? Innocence, simplicity, obedience, acceptance, eagerness to learn, are among some of the attributes of children that we seek during the Lenten Journey. The 40 Martyrs' of Sebaste were regarded as children (manoog). 

Graphic: Icon of Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

LJ2021 - Day 26 - Productivity

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 26: Productivity
A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ - Jesus (Luke 13)

Life has purpose and meaning. The gifts and talents that are given to us by God are meant to be nurtured, developed and ultimately used. During the Lenten Journey, we discover and connect with those talents only to learn that they are gifts to be used.

LJ2021 - Day 25 - Good News

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 25: Good News
The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. - Jesus (Luke 16)

Force is power. It is measured by strength. To enter somewhere by force implies that what is inside is of great value. What is new, that is news, is that the law and the profits were in effect until John. The kingdom of God can be entered. And the Good News is that the entrance to the kingdom is accessible by all.

Graphic: Dreamstime.com

LJ2021 - Day 24 - Shrewdness

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 24: Shrewdness
The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. - Jesus (Luke 16)

Shrewdness is viewed as a necessary virtue to engage in the dealings of this world. It is not necessarily thought of as a spiritual virtue. Jesus points to it with not apology. During our Lenten Journey, we discover the that we bring our entire self - worldly and spiritual - to the stewardship of Creation.

Graphic: Dreamstime.com

LJ2021 - Day 23 - World

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 23: World

For the children of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the children of light. -Jesus (Luke 16)

The positioning of light opposite the world, in this statement, should not go without notice or construed as incidental. It is not darkness that Jesus refers to in contrast to the children of light, rather it is the world - our world - which is real and a reality with which we have to contend. We are called to be stewards, to manage, the resources and the goods of this world. In so doing, we are called to use the language, the skills and the means of this world. During the Lenten Journey, we are called to list our assets and liabilities as they pertain to our talents. Understanding that our talents and resources exist in the spiritual and the physical world is today's step in the journey.

Graphic: Pixabay.com

LJ2021 - Day 22 - Woman

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 22: Women

The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches. The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into... flour until it worked all through the dough. - Jesus (Matthew 13)

The Kingdom of Heaven grows powerfully from small and humble beginnings. While a tiny mustard seed extends wildly into a bush in nature, flour needs the addition of yeast to rise to dough. Without the measure, timing, organization, coordination and care - reflections of love for the result - it remains but a hardened paste.

Graphic: Needpix.com

LJ2021 - Day 21 - Stewardship

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 21: Stewardship
Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer. - Jesus (Luke 16)

It's the question that sooner or later will be asked of all of us, when we can no longer be a manager, of this life. "Give an accounting." What would be our answer?

Graphic: StockFreeImages

LJ2021 - Day 20 - Your Pearl

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 20: Your Pearl

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. - Jesus (Matthew 13:45-6)

Mid-Lenten exercise: Have you found a pearl, something so valuable, that you are willing to give up everything to claim it? If not, do you think such a pearl exists? Is it attainable? Is it claimable?

LJ2021 - Day 19 - Serving

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 19: Serving
No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. - Jesus (Luke 16)

What do we serve? That's a loaded word, for sure. Jesus is presenting an axiom here, without making a judgement. The assumption is that it is better to serve God, rather than money. Jesus merely points out the reality that loyalties to one master will outweigh loyalties to another. The Lenten Journey is a time to ask, who or what we serve?

LJ2021 - Day 18 - Always

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 18: Always
And he [the father] said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.' - Jesus (Luke 15:31)

Part of the process of introspection that we preform during the Lent Season is to inventory our assets against our liabilities. Liabilities sometimes overwhelm us to the point that we fail to properly access the assets that we have. Knowing that we are always in God's care and live in God's grace is a discovery we may make, and once made, it must be assigned to the top position on the asset column of our Lenten inventory.

Graphic: "Always on" HBR 

LJ2021 - Day 17 - Completeness

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 17: Completeness
But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.' - Jesus (Luke 15)

Returning back to health - whether following an attack by a virus, or after a broken relationship - is a difficult proposition. Along the way, health - both physical and emotional - could be compromised making full recovery next to impossible. The recovery granted to us by God is complete and full. During the Lenten season, we discover our weaknesses and count our strengths. The delicate balance between the two is defined by our perception, attitude and communication with God.

LJ2021 - Day 16 - Duality

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 16: Duality
[The younger son said,] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you...' - Jesus (Luke 15)

Humans: We are body and spirit. Our actions have consequences in the natural world and in the spiritual world. To say we have sinned, means that we have hurt someone, even if that someone is one's self. Therein, we understand the sin against heaven and earth. Likewise, to say we have done good, such as an act of charity, will have consequences in the natural world and in the spiritual world. Those acts of goodness will have weight on Earth as well as in heaven.

LJ2021 - Day 15 - Trigger

Lenten Journey 2021:
Faith in a Post Pandemic World
by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 15: Trigger
But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” - Jesus (Luke 15:17-19)

Life may be compared to a roller coaster ride, with ups and downs. Some ups are high enough to bring us down quickly. From the depths of our low spots the climb up might be slow, but steady. On the track there are switches that trigger the coaster car to journey up, or to naturally fall. There are, also, points of no-return, most notably when we first sit in the coaster-car and the attendant releases the break for our journey through the twists and turns. Of course, the purpose of Lent is to regain control over life, so we can be more than a car gliding on a track. What triggers us to say "enough" of the down-spots? What triggers us to turn back to safety? to home? to God?