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Daily Readings: Acts 5:34-6:7; James 3:1-12; John 1:1-17
Ընթերցուածքներ` Գործ. Ե 34- Զ 7; Յակ. Գ 1-12; Յով. Ա 1-17

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen!

Քրիստոս Յարեաւ ի Մեռելոց. Օրհնեալ է Յարութիւնը Քրիստոսի!
Christ is Risen from the Dead. Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ!

When I was a teenager, my parents enrolled me into a military program up in Canada. The program, which is equivalent to the ROTC in the US, taught military discipline as well as other skills. We were taught that when an officer walked by, you would stand at attention and salute, as a way to greet the officer out of respect. I remember a few times when the same officer would walk by and I would salute, they would say, “you don’t need to keep saluting every time I walk by.” But this was a way of respecting the individual. In our everyday life, we don’t go around saluting each other, but when we see each other for the first time, when we walk into a room, when we see a person in the streets or call someone on the phone, we greet one another by saying “Hello”, “Hi”, “hey, how are you?” showing respect and comradery. Though greeting one another is universal, there are some unique qualities depending on who we are greeting and where we are from.

In the military, we salute; in our everyday lives, we smile, shake hands and/or show acknowledgment in through words and hands. When we see a priest, we greet them with the request of “Orhnetsek Der Hayr” – Bless me Father, and the priest responds with “Astvadz Orhne” – May God bless you. If we are from overseas, traditionally we would kiss the priests hand as well, or lower our head for the priest to place their hand on our heads. And more than this, being from overseas, when we greet each other, we don’t merely say hello and shake hands, but especially if we are close, we also kiss each other on the cheeks. This is a sing of respect love and it shows equality. While in English we say hello, in Armenian we say what? Parev or voghchuyn.  Yet, do we know what these words means? Parev means 2 things. The first part Pari – goodness. Aryav meaning remembrance – as in may we remember each other well. But additionally, arev is sun, pari arev – in other words, may the sun be well, may your day be good, may the Lord bring blessings to you. Or the other Armenian word, which is a bit more formal – Voghchuyn comes from the word voghch, meaning complete, full, alive. Therefore in Armenian when we greet one another, we are not merely saying “hi” but much like when greeting a priest, more than showing respect, we are expressing love, strength, hope, and goodness and asking for God’s blessings upon that person.

It is with this same love, hope, and goodness that today we greet one another with the words Christ is Risen. We are declaring “the good news of joy, hope, faith, victory over suffering and death” in those simple words. How? Through Christ Jesus, our Lord. A that greeting extends to all but it begins from here, inside this Church. It is here in the Church, at the Holy table, from the Holy Gospel, from the place where we believe God is present that we take that joyful greeting to others. Where at every Badarak, almost immediately after the chalice which hold the bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ, is placed on the Holy Altar, that the Deacons and Priest chant, “Greet one another with a holy kiss, Christ is revealed in our midst” as the choir begins the hymn of Krisdos I mej – “Christ is among us.” This part of the Badarak, Divine Liturgy, celebration is known as the “Kiss of Peace”. It is known as the greeting, of the “hello”, of the declaration and sharing of love, hope, goodness and blessing from God to us and from US to one another. That is why the priest says greet each other, while another priest, or designated person comes to each of us and greets us with those words, “Krisdos ee mech mer haydnetsav” (Christ is revealed among us) and the receiver responds: “Orhnyal e haydnutyunn Krisdosi” (Blessed is the revelation of Christ).

But why? Because, our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to bring peace amongst people. Christ came because of his love for us, to heal us, to remove the barriers of hate, sin, pain and loneliness and bring us into communion with Him. Remember the first things that God said after creating Adam, “it is not good for man to be alone.” God was there in the life of Adam, in our life, and yet, God recognizes that we need each other. But physically coming together is not enough my dears. Just walk downtown and there are plenty of people around us, and yet, sometimes we feel the most alone in a crowded place. That is why God calls us to be present in each others lives; to share in the love, hope and peace that he brings. Christ came to us and we are then called to bring Christ to each other. If in Armenian the word we greet with is voghch – wholeness, then through God and each other we are whole. That is why this moment in the Badarak is the Kiss of Peace. 

Peace in the Semitic language, shalom (שָׁלוֹם‎) or salam (سَلاَم), means more than just peace of mind but  reconciliation, harmony, and completeness. 1) Peace with God, 2) Peace with others, 3) Peace within ourselves. We are at Peace with God, because Christ, our Lord sacrificed Himself on the Holy Cross, rose from the dead, and we are saved by His blood, which means Christ is covering us with His arms, so our sins are not noticeable. By passing on the “Kiss of Peace”, we express our joy that we are going to be back home and we are saved from death. We find peace with others through our Lord Jesus Christ, who did not come to bring salvation for only certain people, but for the whole creation. He brought unity under His Holy name; that is why we are called Christians. Christ is for all! We find peace within ourselves, when Christ enters our life, heals us and transforms us from within. No matter the things that happen in our life, no matter our successes or failures, no matter how much the world values or devalues us, God loves each and every one of us and calls us to be with Him. And those of us who accept Him, who come into Communion with Him, and who greet one another with peace and love, the Gospel says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Today, as we celebrate the first Sunday of Holy Resurrection, the Armenian Church also celebrates the Annunciation of the Theotokos, the Holy Virgin Mary, where the angel Gabriel greeted Mary with the blessed news of how she would give birth to our savior and Lord Jesus Christ. My dears, the angels greet us, the Lord greets us here in Church, in our prayers, through the Holy Scriptures; we greet one another in the street, on the phone, at school and in the workplace. Yet, we are called to greet each other also here in the Church with more than just words of hello. We are called to share in the great news that not only is Jesus some 1^st century Jew resurrected from the dead, but that Christ Jesus is the Risen Lord and Christ Jesus has defeated death and Christ Jesus, our Lord is here with us. We are joyful, whole, complete, loved and at peace when he is with us and when we are with each other. That is why we kiss each other, we embrace one another and say, Kridos I mej mer Haytnetsav – Christ is revealed among us. Christ is revealed through us. Blessed is that revelation which is given to us by the grace of our Lord Christ, illuminated in our hearts through the Holy Spirit and heals us by our Heavenly Father, Amen!

And may I add, just like saying hello can be unique depending on from where we are, same with the “kiss of peace”. In many other Churches this practice of “the kiss of peace” is merely a handshake, or in some Catholic Churches it is sung but not performed. But as Armenian’s we are movers, as Christians, it is Christ that moves us and so, we embrace each other, we hug and kiss on the cheeks and give this blessing. Because if Judas took the kiss and betrayed our Lord with it, Christ takes the kiss and transforms it into a healing gesture. And so though this is outside of its proper time, the sharing of our love, peace and hope is in our heart and so everyone stand up, and greet the person next to you with the Kiss of Peace and say, Christ is Revealed Among us, and we respond, Blessed is the Resurrection of Christ.

Passages: Zech. 9:9-15, Philippians 4:4-7, Matt. 20:29-21:17  
Ընթերցուածքներ` Զաք. Թ 9-15; Փիլի. Դ 4-7; Մատթ. Ի 29 – ԻԱ 17

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen!

I was so glad to be finished. After all that work, patience, tiring days, and energy spent, it was done. I remember the day I graduated High School, I was relieved it was over. Yes, I would miss the time with friends, the sports and get togethers but I’ll be first to admit, I wasn’t the best student and so I was glad it was done with. Many of us perhaps remember the day we finished school; high school, trade school, college, law school or med school – regardless of the years it demanded, by finishing we were relieved, perhaps a bit sad, but fulfilled that finally it was done. Or perhaps we did not go on to continued education but rather in our lives, we faced big tasks or projects which required countless hours, the hard work, and the sacrifices – all coming to an end. And so whether school or something we worked one, when we finished – we breathed a sigh of relief that it was done. Though joyful and relieved when we finish, what we often remember is how did we arrived at the end. What challenges we faced; what uphill battles we conquered and how now by finishing we are stronger, better prepared for the next task, the next chapter and next challenge. As the saying goes, “it’s not the destination but the journey we travel.” 

Yet, this proverbial saying is not about physical traveling but anything we are going through. The journey through school, through career planning, through a project, and through emotional development and maturity. Today, this message can be applied our spiritual growth as well. We are all celebrating the end of another journey – our 2024 Lenten journey. All of us know that with Palm Sunday we end the season of Great Lent. A time of fasting, sacrificing, almsgiving, and prayer. But if we are honest with ourselves for a moment, this journey is not the same for all of us. For some of us this truly is a Holy time, and we are committed to strengthen our faith through the practices of the Church and reading scripture, regardless of how difficult it feels at times. Perhaps for some of us, we don’t fully understand the importance of Lent and why are called to abstain from certain foods and activities or why we have different prayer services. Yet, for too many of us, we don’t take this journey seriously and see it as a waste of time, something unnecessary. In the same way in school my dears, there are student’s who dedicate time and energy into learning and growing; there are those who don’t fully understand the importance; then there are those who think it’s a waste of time and unnecessary. Regardless, whether it’s school, physical traveling, something we are working through, journeying through life or our Lenten journey, one thing remains the same – they eventually all come to an end. What stays with us, what we can look back on and reflect – is how did we end up here.

My dears, this question is so important to reflect upon because each journey, each moment, each project, each challenge we face in life affects how we continue forward – how we face what comes next. Most of us would say, that this year’s winter was very mild. And though we are grateful that the snow was not torrential, and the cold was not unbearable, an unseasonable winter means an unseasonable rest of the year. One journey in life effects the rest of the journey’s we go on; how we travel one path, will impact the end of that path and the way we begin our next. If I attempt a project at home and fail; and try again and fail; try again and through frustration again fail, what will happen? I won’t try another project again. If I barely scrapped through school whether because I didn’t care or because I wasn’t getting help when I needed it, what will happen? I won’t want to learn, grow and continue my education. If I’m in a challenging time, if I’m overwhelmed and hopeless and no one is there to help me, what will happen? I will feel anxious, broken and isolated from everyone. Likewise, my dears, with our faith. If we approach our faith in Christ merely as an obligation, something forced on us, if we don’t invest time to grow, ask questions and learn, if we remove ourselves from the Church and fall into thought of the temptation that “if I fail then I am no good,” then what happens? Our faith becomes fruitless, unnecessary, and often times unbearable. Our faith doesn’t grow; and eventually when we look back on our life as Christian’s, there is no growth, no strength, no future, no spirit of hope. It’s no wonder so many walk away from God; it’s no wonder our families are broken, society is filled with hate and anger.

We are happy when Church service ends, when a sermon is short, when lent finishes or when we can finally go home having put a tick next to the “obligation” of going to Church.  Apart from those who are physically unable to attend Church and therefore utilize online services, so many of are satisfied with God through a screen, leaving us ultimately unsatisfied and in doubt. Much like leaving school, we breathe a sigh of relief that it’s over. Yet, my dears, our faith is not a checkbox to be filled in “as done.” Faith is a daily journey; a journey we look back on and reflect to ask who we are here today. Though today physically marks the end of Great Lent, Christ is not here for the end; Palm Sunday where we celebrate Christ Jesus today entering into Jerusalem prior to His Passion and Crucifixion, is not about the ending of the Gospels or the end of His earthly life. Christ came into this world, entered into Jerusalem, died on the Cross for us to begin life; to have a new start, a renewed spirit on this journey of life.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Meaning when we accept Christ into our life, if we are truly a Christian, then we are not bound by our past; our failures, temptations, and shortcomings on our journey in life don’t define us.  Instead, we are always renewed, we are made new, with a fresh start and renewed purpose. So many of us think the purpose of Great Lent is to arrive at Palm Sunday and Easter. Or that the purpose of Lent is to fast from food, to pray more or read more; our purpose in the Church is to sing, sign a check or fulfill some obligation. No, my dears. The purpose of our faith is for our old self, our sins, our burdens, to be replaced and washed away with new hope, and possibilities, new life that can only happen through Christ Jesus. The purpose of Lent is to remind us that we become new not by removing foods but by adding Christ into our life. St. Paul in Rom. 12 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, [we all like that part and know it well, but look at the continuing] but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

My dears, therefore, let us ask what are we celebrating today? Our Church is beautifully decorated, our curtain is open again, we received Holy Communion and this week we will have the Holiest week in our Church calendar. So what? So, we can end the month of March? So we can end Great Lent and eat meat again? So we can end winter and start spring? Or, my dears, so that we can reflect on what life we live and ask, how can I begin, how can I be renewed, how can Christ enter into my life as He entered Jerusalem? Whether we fasted for 40 days or not, let us honestly reflect on our journey of faith.  Are our prayers just words, just another obligation? Is our being here on Sunday just another checkmark?  Or do we genuinely call out to our Lord with a desire to be renewed?

Christ loves us so much that he hears our prayers and asks, “What do you want Me to do for you?” (Matt. 20:32) in the same way he asked the two blind men as he entered Jerusalem. Therefore, my dears, whether we fasted during Lent, whether we took time purposefully in our day to pray, or ask questions, to seek Him out, regardless of how we “end” Lent today, right now in our hearts let us openly pray to God, “hear me Lord”, “in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…” (Phil. 4:6) St. Paul says, then today we start anew; today we begin a life in true Communion with God – with a renewed purpose. Because whether we are going through school or working on a project – each and every one of us is going through something – we are on a journey. If our journey is with Christ, our end will be with Christ. And so all together, as we did at the beginning of Badarak, let us pray “let the doors of mercy be opened for me to enter” for God loves each and every one of us my dears. God hears us, calls us and waits for us to desire to begin a life in Him. This is not the end, we are not failures, we are not lost and worthless – we are loved. The love of God will overcome all troubles in this life, the love of God will guide us in whatever journey we are on in this life, the love of God will strengthen us regardless of what we are working on. For it is the love of God our Heavenly Father, who sent Christ to enter into the physical Jerusalem inviting us to enter into the eternal Jerusalem with Him. My the grace of the Holy Spirit illuminate our heart and mind to seek our Christ our Lord who renews us from life to life and brings us into the Communion with our Heavenly Father, Amen!