Suggested reading and educational materials
Meditations
Here, everyone is pointing. Mary points in wonder at the arriving magi. At the entrance to the cave, Joseph points the magi to Mary. On the left, a shepherd points upward toward the opened heavens. Above, the two middle angels point to the rays of God’s presence; the angel on the right points toward the adoring animals. The angel on the left points toward the manger, painted as the firmament dividing earth from heaven. The child Jesus, depicted as a mature seed, is the only figure not directing our gaze elsewhere.
It leads us to wonder – where are we pointing?
- Dr. Roberta Ervine
____________________________________________________________
We do ur best to unfold our days as best as we can… Sometimes we
find joy and love and other times we encounter despair and hatred. A few people about 2000 years ago had a choice to make: the magi chose to follow the star and meet the King of kings, leaving behind their own ruler. For the shepherds, they chose to listen to a celestial being and went to see the incarnate God, Jesus, the Son of Mary. Mary chose to carry the joy and love of this universe, despite the cultural despair and hatred she could have faced from her community. Manuel Kahana painted this incarnation illumination in the 15th century as one of 9 illuminations based on our Lord’s life (Matenadaran Manuscript 5784). The painter chose to make himself part of the story of Christ. The illumination of our Lord’s incarnation is eternal, are we ready to reroute our lives to become part of His story?
- Arpi Nakashian
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, [a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John2:1-11.
During the brief conversation about the supply of wine at the wedding feast, she reminded Him that wine to gladden the hearts with joy and celebration of life – a new life- was needful. Her presence, her grace, her wisdom, and motherly delight influenced that celebration and proved to be filled with power, as she became part of Jesus’ mighty acts on earth. Her ever- presence in the life of the Lord was necessary to do what was needful; it certainly made —and makes — a difference. By changing water into wine — and good wine — Jesus shows us how it is necessary for us all to enter into the process of conversion, as a dynamic change in life. The water, representing our sometimes dull and limited humanity, must be transformed into good wine by the active presence of Jesus Christ and the intercession of the Virgin Mary, so it can then pour forth what it needful.
-Fr. Garabed Kochakian
When the angel Gabriel first spoke to Mary (Luke 1:28), he addressed her using the word pergryalt. Often translated as highly favored or full of grace, it also means full of delight.
From that very moment St. Mary's primary role at Jesus' birth on earth (Luke 1:31–33) was to fulfill God’s delight and promise of Salvation: she is very much a part of His saving grace.
Being charged with raising the Son of God implied incredible pressure but she used her parental wisdom, presence and influence to plant the seeds of miracles to unfold on this earth,. The Holy Mother Mary certainly obviously knew what her task as Birth-giver and Mother of God not only could possibly imply but could actually make happen.
It is true that she did not perform miracles, declare judgment, preach to crowds, defy kings, or write inspired words, [though there is an Apocryphal Gospel ascribed to her] but her silent presence during our Lord’s earthly ministry echoed clearly how we should listen to him. Throughout the Gospel narratives of Christ’s ministry and miracles she often is there, “in the background”. Her compelling force, power and presence especially saved the moment, as we see, at Cana in Galilee at a wedding.
-Fr. Garabed Kochakian
____________________________________________________________
The simple words, save us, Lord/ Getzo Der as we often say in Armenian during worship, loudly resonate as we look at this Icon of our Lord’s first miracle. And those words come to us through the Blessed Mother of God, St. Mary’s, icon that we see above the Holy Altar in our Churches.
They can make the biggest difference in life when we prayerfully ask for her intercession, intervention and help, just as she intervened at a wedding in Cana of Galilee,
saying do whatever he tells you. These two words are filled with power which brings God’s presence into our lives to transform, change and instantly redirect our footsteps.
-Fr. Garabed Kochakian
____________________________________________________________
In the lower frame of this 10th century illumination, the angel tells Mary she will bear God’s Son, a future sacrifice. Above, Abraham hears an angel tell him not to sacrifice his son Isaac; his willingness was enough. Mary stands below the altar where Abraham would offer a ram in thanks for Isaac’s freedom; Mary herself was the altar where Jesus began to offer himself for humanity’s freedom. Having received sons as miraculous gifts, neither Abraham nor Mary withheld them from God. Whether God asks us to sacrifice our dearest gifts or not, may we dedicate them to his purpose.
- Dr. Roberta Ervine
____________________________________________________________
I invite you to meditate on Mary, the mother of God. Mary had been set aside a lifetime before the moment Gabrielle first greeted her with “Rejoice, Oh Virgin Mary”. Mary ran back home startled, frightened, wondering how Gabrielle could know her. Immediately she stood and prayed. This illumination painted in 1378 AD by Grigor Datevatsi is titled The Annunciation with the Jug. Elements placed in the center of an illumination typically signify importance. What is the significance of the jug in this illumination and what rests above it? What in your heart identifies with how Mary may have felt in those moments after her first greeting? What would your prayers be?
- Rhonda Boyajian
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us”