Points of Light - An Open Door to the Kingdom
Fr. Garabed Kochakian
Pastor
St. John's Armenian Church
Southfield, Michigan
He is married to Yeretzgin Roberta.
Pastor
St. John's Armenian Church
Southfield, Michigan
He is married to Yeretzgin Roberta.
I never realized how important an open door was to my parishioners until someone told me that their relationship with God and the church had been strengthened because the door to my office was always open.
One of my parishioners, Louise, confided in me just prior to my departure from the parish I served for 10 years, saying, "Der Hayr, it was because of your open office door that I found my way back to Christ and his acceptance of me." I asked her what she meant. She said, "Every time I’ve come to church, I’ve always seen your door open, which was like a sign from God that no matter how great or little my problems were, you would listen to me, and God would always hear my prayers. If your door were closed, Der Hayr, I may have forgotten the need to keep up my relationship with Our Lord, hold fast to my faith and even attend Badarak. To me your open office door was like Jesus’ words, ‘Come to me’. You made God accessible." I thanked her and reflected on the profundity of her words. A closed door is very much like a sign that reads, "Keep Out: Do Not Enter." Sometimes it is easy to run to one’s office in an attempt to escape the madness of the world. However, I never realized that my open office door was a welcoming symbol of the church’s ministry of love and care. |
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CHRONICLES OF THE CALL A Calling To The Truth An Unexpected Call From God Flip A Coin From Sales To Souls God's Constant Call To Become A Priest Going With The Current Of God's Call Serve Your Church The Inspiration Of My Teachers RESOURCES FOR VOCATIONS AND CHURCH MINISTRY An Interview with the Director of Youth & Vocations Are You Listening? His Invitation is Still: 'Follow Me' The Armenian Sacrament of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood The Armenian Service of Calling to the Holy Priesthood The Call To Choose or to be Chosen POINTS OF LIGHT All that the Father Gives Me Will Come to Me (John 6:37) Go In Peace, Darling A Match to Light Our Worship A Prayer in the Car A True Christmas Story An Open Door to the Kingdom Baptism in a Shack Blessing of a Factory Confirmed in the Spirit He Gave His Life for Us It Is Worth All The Trouble Prayerful Care of Souls The Blind Man Warming Up Without Heat FAQs Prerequisites for Seminary Study Do I Have What It Takes? Seminary Studies: Courses, Teachers, Grades, Requirements Seminary Life Marriage and Celibacy |
