Message of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, parish priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church, Cupertino, from the Nakhagoch Newsletter. Electronic version archived on: SAIN-- St. Andrew Information Network -------------------------------------- c. 1986 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org -------------------------------------- Lent 1986 PASTOR'S MESSAGE LENT -- Therapy for Tough & Fast Times It was a day that started with so much promise: January 28, 1986--the space shuttle Challenger lifted off on it's ill-fated mission. It was over in a flash. The promises along with the seven human lives aboard this beautiful space craft vanished before our eyes. What was different about this event? It seems as if our world has gone through so many tragedies in recent years. The bombing in Beirut, the DC-8 that crashed carrying the 248 soldiers home for Christmas, the earthquake in Mexico, the volcano in Colombia did not "stop the world" as did the tragic flight of the shuttle. The explosion sent a shock wave around the planet. What was so different about this event? Perhaps the difference is the promise that was carried aboard this space craft. There seemed to be a national sense of hope--a sense of the future--not only with this particular flight but with the entire space program. It is the challenge of reaching for something that seems unreachable. It is an investment in the future that we all share in the space program. When the Challenger exploded that Tuesday morning those promises and dreams seemed to vanish with it. Why did it happen? What was the cause? Although as the weeks go by more and more "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" will speculate at answers, it is very possible that we may never have a cause or reason for this disaster. Does it matter? Whether we have a reason or not, the truth of the matter does not change: the Challenger and those brave astronauts aboard are no more. When God created the earth and placed man upon it He did so with a promise and hope in the future. But as we know, man chose to ignore God's commandment and this "promise" vanished. Yet, through God's love man receives a chance to once again dream, to hope and to share in a promise. Man is given an opportunity to regain paradise, through Jesus Christ. With the loss of the shuttle (not forgetting the latest news delivered by Voyager 2) we once again focus on the fact that we are living in the space age. There are technological advances experienced if not daily, then hourly. In our day to day rush have we any opportunities to stop and think--about our goals, hopes and dreams? Sometimes our actions even become mechanical. The Armenian Church sets aside a period of time before Easter known as "Lent." It is a time of contemplation. It is a time given to meditative thought about the purpose and meaning of life. It is a time to come to terms with God and ourselves. It is a time to reestablish the promise and hope for the future. It is a time to come together, to be one with all aspects of yourself and ultimately with God. LENT AS THERAPY We all need times to retreat from the ordinary cycle of life. We all need times to step aside from our every day lives to think and meditate. (An overly underrated benefit of coming to Sunday morning church services is that it provides this time to retreat. It is a place to slow down from the fast pace of everyday life, a place to get away and retreat. Sitting in a church pew, listening to the ancient hymns allows one to transcend this life and truly pray and meditate. It becomes very therapeutic.) In the Armenian Church Lent begins on Monday, February 10, 1986 (not on Ash Wednesday). For the days that follow (until Easter) we are invited to discipline ourselves. The typical reaction to Lenten discipline is usually to shy away. We feel that discipline is reserved for the "religious," which usually include the priest and a few of the elderly. But in fact, we all need the discipline. Each and everyone of us can stand to improve ourselves through the practices of lent. Is Lent Biblical? Of course (most everything is in the Armenian Church). Jesus retreated from the world prior to His ministry (Luke 4). He fasted for forty days. It is in commemoration of this period of time in our Lord's life that we have Lent. We participate in Lent to prepare ourselves for our individual "ministries" or journeys through life. During Lent there are certain dietary restriction to be observed. They involve a total abstinence from all animal foods and foods prepared with animal products (i.e. dairy, eggs, etc.). It is difficult but it is done so that we focus our attention on the more important things in life. (Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord!) Secondly, through fasting and/or the Lenten diet we clean our bodies, to provide a suitable enviornment for the soul. Most importantly during Lent we discipline ourselves to accept the real challenges of the world. To be able to survive in the fast paced world we need to be of sound body and mind. Lent renews us to meet the challenges of Life. It renews the promise and the dreams by which we live--the dreams by which we were created. It leads us and delivers us in front of the fulfillment of that promise--EASTER! Does abstinence sound difficult? Impossible? Before you give upÉ try it. Some guidelines for Lent are specified in the fold out calendar in this Newsletter. The calendar has ideas for Lent that can be shared by the whole family. Parents - take the time to review it with your children. Children - bring it to your parents attention. Furthermore, in our Church we will have special "Hesgoom" services every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. It is a short service which includes the "I confess with faith" prayer of Nerses Shnorhali. This particular prayer has been translated into most of the major languages of the world and is a favorite of our people. Also on Sunday Mornings there will be special "Sunrise" services at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. In this fast paced world, it is difficult to find the time to stand still and think. Lent gives us that opportunity. The dreams and promises that we have in the future may sometimes seem impossible to reach, every kind of obsticle may stand in the way. Yet, God gives us the strength to continue, to follow our dreams. Let us all participate in this most needed period of Lent to prepare our mind and body for the Ultimate Promise, the one we experience on EASTER Sunday. --Fr. Vazken -------------------------------------- c. 1986 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org --------------------------------------