LJ2021 - Day 10 - Desire

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

Day 10: Desire
Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. - Jesus (Luke 12)

We are driven and motivated to succeed by our wants and desires. In fact, they are strong motivators. The more we want, the more we are driven to secure the objects of our desire. To covet something, sets us multiple traps in front of us because the object of our desire does not belong to us. The greatest of our disappointments in life are when we have expectations that cannot possibly be fulfilled. During the Lenten season we take inventory of the talents and resources that we can claim as our own. What makes me, me? What is outside of us, we must evaluate and be certain that it is not covetousness that is motivating us, but a true desire for self-improvement. 

Photo: Desire, Public Domain

LJ2021 - Day 9 - Value

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

Day 9: Value

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. - Jesus (Luke 12)

People ascribe significance and value to things. We may forget something that we have labeled as insignificant or we may throw away something which we deem as having no value. Can you imagine a life where everything has significance and everything has value? The blue skies, the rocky mountains, the baby extending her hand to mommy, and even the ant marching across your front porch, are all creations of God. During Lent, we come to understand that everyone and everything is part of God's creation, and therefore, like us, everything is worthy of care, compassion and love. 

Photo: Spider on Flower, 2016 Fr. Vazken

LJ2021 - Day 5 - Silence

 Welcome to the the Lenten Journey 2021: Faith in a Post Pandemic World

Daily meditations during the Lenten Season 

by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 5: Silence

This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. (John 8)

As life unfolds and takes its twists and turns it demands a reaction from us. We often find it necessary to react with words. A clever word here, a meaningful remark there, are quick and easy means by which we share our understanding of a situation. Words convey thoughts. Words articulate ideas. Silence, the underrated reaction to life, is sometimes necessary more than our words, to truly understand what is around us. Silence, quiet utterances of the soul, can lead to peace.  

LJ 2021 - Day 3 - Shadows

  Welcome to the the Lenten Journey 2021: Faith in a Post Pandemic World
Daily meditations during the Lenten Season by Fr. Vazken Movsesian

Day 3 - Shadow

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. - James 1:17

One of our Church Fathers remarked that when facing the Sun, we see no shadows. It is only when we turn away from the sun that we notice shadows.  The Sun is the source of light and energy for our planet. Even in the shadows there is enough light to energize us and all of life. This is a testament to the power of the Sun. Jesus, the Light of the World, illuminates and we find no shadows nor places to hide when we are turned toward him. And even when we turn and then notice the shadows, He is still energizing us and all of life.