Western Diocese

On the occasion of 4^th of July a dedication to all those who serve in the US Forces. May the Lord protect them. May God bless the departed souls and comfort their beloved ones.

THE BEAUTY OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE AND THE SPIRITUAL WORLD

Christ Our Lord is the source of the spiritual life and spiritual world. A Christian who follows Christ in words and in deeds is constantly enriched with the divine presence. The strength we receive through the messages of Christ Our Lord transforms our spirituality with countless blessings, which help us understand the true significance of the gift of life. A Christian, who is emptied of the presence of God, cannot bring joy and peace to the souls of others. A Christian, whose life is in search of God, has certainly perceived the beauty of the spiritual life and the spiritual world.

Christians, who gather in the name of Christ Our Lord ultimately pursue a noble goal, that they may become "partakers of divine nature." An Athonite Monk explains how the Church helps us develop a unique sense of partnership in the divine nature of Christ:

“Today, through worship in the Church of Christ we can still participate in these events (Christ's birth, life, death, resurrection, glorification, Ascension and the decent of the Holy Spirit) and experience the Mystery of the Holy Incarnation, whereby the Word of God took on human nature, so that we human beings might become "partakers of divine nature.”

The beauty of the spiritual life and the spiritual world can be experienced by a Christian, when we all participate in worship in the Church of Christ. Therefore, as we walk through the spiritual path which leads us to God, we gradually experience the holiness as the true purpose of our God-given lives. A Christian who prays to God is tirelessly rewarded with inexplicable joy, which is the reflection of our inner state transmitting the message of spiritual joy.

GROWING INTO THE PRAYER

“It is not enough to say a prayer just to be "on the safe side." It must be done in such a way so as we can gradually grow into the prayer. If you go to a concert, you may not be able to perceive the music in the same way in which the composer perceived life, beauty, and meaning – whatever he embodied in his service. But if you go and allow yourself to be carried away by the music you will gradually become more and more aware of the messages which the composer had to convey.” (Metropolitan Anthony)

Surrender into the hands of God! This the ultimate message of Christ's Gospel. We all are created in the image of God. However, we need to utilize the spiritual technique, namely through prayer, in our daily lives so that we do not distort the eternal image of God built within our own temples. We do not pray just to be “on the safe side”. We pray with the deep understanding that we become partakers in the prayerful life of Christ. We pray to purify our souls. We pray so that we may allow God to dwell within our souls.

TRADITIONS

“The traditions of a nation are the cementing elements of its identity, when ignored, forgotten or despised, the face of that nation loses its color, it becomes distorted and eventually its identity is tarnished and lost forever. Traditions serve as anchors for strength and durability. Take them away from the life of a people and the people will shake like reeds without roots and fall like leaves severed from a tree…” (Karekin I)

Traditions of a nation are so sacred that they should be kept and maintained with reverence. Traditions are not born instinctively. Traditions are the condensed wisdom and the vision of our ancestors. These traditions are developed throughout centuries and are rooted in the sanctity of the family life and in the life of the community.

“The traditions of a nation are the cementing elements of its identity.” The traditions of the Armenian Church are deeply rooted in the spirituality of our nation to the extent that we cannot differentiate two kinds of traditions. The word tradition has a strong Christian connotation. When used outside of the religious context, it no longer transpires the same message.

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“We always hope and in all things it is better to hope than to despair.

When we return to real trust in God there will no longer

be room in our soul for fear” (Goethe)

Trust in God is the greatest gift we are graced with. A person who has lost hope cannot live a creative life. A person who has left no room for God in the soul, lives a fearful life. God is the root of our hope and joy but above all the undying spiritual strength, which helps us to distance ourselves from despair and all kinds of tribulations.

Our trust in God is developed through our prayerful life. Prayer is the water of our faith and our trust in God. The most enriching and meaningful journey is the journey into the depths of our soul. Our Lord himself paved the way as he went into the desert and there he prayed.

Each prayer lifted from the heart is a return to God, “the real trust in God.”

“TRUE LEADERS DON'T DEVELOP FOLLOWERS,

THEY CREATE NEW LEADERS”

The priests and pastors of the Church ought to cherish this message to make the Church even stronger with committed leaders. Leaders who do not have the vision to create new leaders cannot possibly contribute towards the growth of the Church. True leaders are those who know how to pass on the torch and create new leaders. The same applies to the Church and the priests. Christ Our Lord called upon ordinary men and guided them and molded them to become true leaders for their communities. Ordinary men became apostles and the pillars of the Christian Church. They became partakers in the sufferings of their Master, and in shedding their blood they equally became the founders of the Church.

The vision of creating new leaders should be the ultimate goal of all leaders. The greatest reward, a leader may receive, is when he witnesses the birth of new leaders.

A REAWAKENING PRAYER…

Mother Theresa’s life has been truly dedicated to God and to mankind. We live in a society where charity has become a fashion and a source of vain pride. Those who wish to bring joy and peace to the world and to the poor should follow her example and distance themselves from lavish fundraisings. She humbled herself and served the most needy. And the words of her prayer truly reflect her genuine love and respect for human life. To me personally, the nourishing words of Mother Theresa have a reawakening spiritual strength. Her words help us open the eyes of our soul and mind and feel the presence of God.

 

“People are often unreasonable,

Illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

 

If your are kind, People may accuse

You of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some

False friends and some true enemies;

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,

People may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,

Someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,

There may be jealousy;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,

People will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,

And it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God:

It was never between you and them anyway.”

Mother Theresa

“BE WITH ME AND LET ME BY YOUR PRESENCE”

“But if we realize that life in its entirety is a situation in which God has placed us to bring our faith where there is no faith, to bring hope when there is no hope, to bring light, even if it is very dim, a spark – where there is only darkness or twilight, to be salt to prevent corruption, to bring flicker of love, where there is lovelessness, then there is no evil or distracting situation into which we cannot enter in a prayerful way. We can say, “Lord, you have sent me into this twilight and this darkness. Be with me and let me be your presence.” (Metropolitan Anthony Bloom)

The life graced upon all of us is a mission. God has entrusted us with this especial gift. Life is a borrowed gift from God, which ought to be lived with wisdom and vision. Applied wisdom and vision are methods of investing our lives and giving them meaning. Metropolitan Bloom inspires us with his own words as he warns us “to bring our faith where there is no faith, to bring hope when there is no hope.” Therefore, when we pray to God, we discover the hidden spiritual gifts and treasures of our spirituality.