March 21

TOP STORY   

Sunday of the Unjust Steward



Jesus’ parable about an unjust steward who was accused of cheating his master (Luke 16:1-17—the reading for Sunday, March 3) is famous for being difficult to understand. But it gives very concrete clues about what it means to be a “good steward.”

The steward is a figure who comes up in many of Jesus’ parables—a “stock character,” we might say, who would have been very recognizable to Christ’s listeners. What did stewards do, in the time of Jesus? What made them so interesting to our Lord? And what does this occupation tell us about our own obligations to God?

Click here to read more.

Please join us every Wednesday at 7:00 PM throughout Lent for Spiritual Journey To Prepare for Holy Resurrection: Lenten Worship Service, Spiritual Discussion, and Lenten Dinner. To see the 2025 Lenten Series flyer, Click Here.

March 23, 2025

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Sunrise Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Ms. Anna Seferian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Vazrik Nishanian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:



Isaiah 56:1-57:21

Ephesians 4:17-5:14

Luke 16:1-31

Prayer of the week

Look with love, O merciful Father, on the created works of your hand, and grant the camps of the angels to be guardians of our feeble persons. Deliver us from temptation, from the wandering demons of night, that by day and by night we may give you glory incessantly.

   Keep watch, Lord, over your faithful people; strengthen those fleeing persecution, and protect the holy soil of Armenia. Preserve the spirit of Artsakh in our hearts; console those who grieve; deliver your faithful children from conflict, and bestow your peace on all mankind. Amen.

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

For The Souls of:

  Stephen Berberian, Jean Berberian, Krikor Berberian, Hripsime Berberian, Krikor Mahakian, Tatos Bazoian, Hripsime Bazoian

Requested by: 

Brenda and Debora Berberian

For The Souls of:

Anne Andonian (40 days),

Jack Andonian (33 years) 

Requested by: 

Clara Andonian, David and Gilda, Aram and Laura, Levon and Jill, Joanna, Nader, Jacob, Eaton and families

For The Souls of:

Valerik Dolunts; Ernest Dolunts; Der Vertanes Kalayjian; Laura, Saro, Razmik Shahbazyan; Ashkhen Karapetyan; Siranoush Gevorgyan

Requested by:

 Zaven Kalayjian and Edita Gajumova-Dolunts

For The Souls of:

Zepyur Knar Martirosyan

(40th day)

Requested by:

Sean McClure and Suzy Simonyan (granddaughter)

and great-grandchildren Mariam, Alfred, and Edmund

For The Soul of:

Anahit Babakhanyan

Requested by: 

Eliza, Adrine, Garen Arutunyan

Hospitality Table is hosted by:

Kalayjian, Andonian, McClure-Simonyan families

Please tune in to St. Mary YouTube channel for the upcoming services and Badaraks

Join Us for a Meaningful Lenten Journey

As we enter this sacred season of Lent, we invite you to take part in our special Sunday and Wednesday services, offering a time for spiritual renewal and preparation of the heart for Christ’s resurrection.

Each Sunday during Lent, experience the beauty of the Sunrise Service at 10:00 AM, followed by the Divine Liturgy—a time to reflect, pray, and grow together as a faith community.

In addition, join us on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM for our Lenten Vigil Service, discussions, and dinners, providing an opportunity for deeper reflection, fellowship, and nourishment. Click here for details.

Let us walk this Lenten journey together, strengthening our faith and drawing closer to God. We look forward to seeing you!

Lenten Journey: Fasting and Prayer – The Path to Inner Renewal

On Wednesday, March 19, our parish gathered for the third session of the Lenten Journey series at St. Mary Armenian Church. The evening began with a Rest Hour service, which was followed by a meditation on Fasting and Prayer led by Dr. Nairy Ohanian. She explored the spiritual significance of fasting, emphasizing that it is not merely about abstaining from food but about deepening our relationship with God.

Drawing from Christ’s words in Matthew 6:16—“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do…”—she reminded attendees that fasting should be accompanied by humility, joy, and prayer. Dr. Ohanian also spoke about the transformative power of prayer, highlighting its role in strengthening the soul and fostering spiritual discipline.

After the discussion, attendees proceeded to the church hall for a delicious Lenten dinner, generously sponsored by our ACYOA.

Each Lenten Wednesday brings a new theme to help us embrace the spiritual journey toward the Holy Resurrection. We invite all parishioners to join us for these evenings of prayer, learning, and fellowship as we prepare our hearts for Easter.

Saintly Women’s Day Celebration at St. Mary

On Saturday, March 15, the St. Mary Women’s Guild hosted a beautiful Saintly Women’s Day celebration, honoring the faith and devotion of Saint Gayane. The event began with a devotional service in the church sanctuary, where attendees gathered in prayer and reflection on the inspiring legacy of St. Gayane.

Following the service, a luncheon was held in the church hall, where parishioners and guests enjoyed a time of fellowship. During the luncheon, the executive committee of the Women’s Guild expressed their heartfelt appreciation to Yn. Jennifer for her leadership and dedication as chairlady over the past years, recognizing her unwavering commitment to the Guild’s mission.

The highlight of the afternoon was a thought-provoking presentation by guest speaker Milena Oganessyan, who explored the portrayals of Armenian women in visual arts through the centuries. Her insightful talk shed light on the strength, faith, and contributions of Armenian women throughout history.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the legacy of saintly women, foster fellowship, and honor the dedicated service of the Women’s Guild members.

Supporting St. Vartan Cathedral – A Lenten Good Deed Project by Our Shnorhali Students

As we journey through the season of Lent, our Shnorhali School students are embracing the spirit of faith, generosity, and community through their annual Lenten Good Deed Project. This year, they are dedicating their efforts to support our Mother Cathedral, St. Vartan, which is in urgent need of restoration. Time and the elements have taken their toll, and it is now our turn to ensure that this cherished symbol of strength and hope remains a beacon for generations to come.

Each student has received a collection box to take home, encouraging them to practice almsgiving—a vital Lenten tradition—by making small contributions throughout the season. More than just a fundraiser, this project teaches our children the values of giving, compassion, and stewardship. By participating, they develop a deeper sense of belonging, ownership, and connection to our Mother Cathedral in New York, understanding that their support plays a role in preserving our spiritual heritage.

We invite our entire parish community to encourage and support our students in this meaningful endeavor. Collection boxes will be returned to the school by Sunday, April 13th. Let us come together in the true spirit of Lent, ensuring that our faith and traditions continue to thrive.

If you would like to make your own contribution to the St. Vartan Cathedral Renovation Fund, click on the following link: https://stvartan.org/

Application for the WED Educational Fund Scholarship is now available at St. Mary's website www.stmaryaac.org. 

The application deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is

May 31, 2025.

Click here to access the scholarship application.

 If you have questions, contact the St. Mary Church office at stmarychurchdc@gmail.com

DIOCESAN & OTHER NEWS

Diocese Welcomes Two New Priests

This week, our Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan and Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian welcomed two new clergymen to the Eastern Diocese: Fr. Vartan Hayrapetyan and Fr. Vazgen Andreasyan. The two hail from Armenia, and have been assigned to serve in our Diocese by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. 

The new priests will begin their service with a three-month period of “enculturation,” during which they will learn about, and experience, the scope of the Eastern Diocese, and its pastoral, cultural, and liturgical life. “Their time will be dedicated to understanding the spiritual needs of our faithful, engaging with parishes and parishioners, and familiarizing themselves with the special realities of serving in the Armenian Church in the United States,” Bishop Mesrop explained.

This initial preparation period will be followed by a year-long internship in an actual parish, under the tutelage of an experienced pastor. The new priests will gain hands-on experience in parish ministry, and actively participate in the life of the church.

“By God’s grace, upon completing this process, these young clergymen will be officially received into our Diocese and entrusted with their own pastoral assignments,” said Bishop Mesrop. “Please keep Fr. Vartan and Fr. Vazgen in your prayers, as they embark on this sacred journey of service to our community.”

Register Now for Diocesan Summer Camps

Online registration is now open for the Eastern Diocese’s summer camp programs, Hye Camp and St. Vartan Camp. Every camper will find something enriching in the experience—whether it involves learning about the Armenian heritage and faith, making lifelong friends, or enjoying fun summer activities.

To encourage potential campers and mark the opening of online camp registration, the Eastern Diocese released a heartwarming short video featuring young campers and teen-aged counselors sharing their thoughts on what camp has meant to them.

Click here to watch the video.

And click the following link to register and learn more on the Diocesan Camps website.

Teens and Young Adults: Experience Armenia This Summer!

The Eastern Diocese and ACYOA are offering three exciting opportunities for teens and young adults to travel to Armenia this summer.

The 2025 ACYOA Seniors Armenia Service Program (ASP) will run June 30 to July 18, and is open to young adults ages 18-30 from across the Diocese. A registration link, fact sheet, and detailed itinerary are all available on the ACYOA website. Participants are encouraged to register soon; click here for details.

ACYO Youth Pilgrimage and Forum will be a special international gathering in Armenia this summer, meeting July 2 to 7, and open to young adults ages 18-30. The Eastern Diocese aims to send 30 representatives to the Youth Forum (facility in the Armenian language is strongly encouraged). Full details and links to register can be found by clicking here.

ACYOA Juniors Armenia Service Program (ASP)

ACYOA Juniors (ages 14-17) are invited to participate in the ACYOA Juniors Armenia Service Program (ASP) running June 30 to July 14. Click the following link to learn more and to register for the trip.

For information on any of these trips, contact Jennifer Morris in the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org or (248) 648-0702.

Summer Programs at St. Nersess Seminary

St. Nersess Armenian Seminary has announced its schedule of 2025 Summer Conferences for high school and post-high school students. The conferences will be held at the St. Nersess Seminary campus in Armonk, NY.

June 27 - July 6

Deacons’ Training Program

Directors: Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian & Dn. Alex Calikyan

July 9 - July 13

Yn. Diane Chevian Memorial Choir Workshop

Director: Fr. Haroutiun Sabounjian

July 19 - July 27

High School Summer Conference A

Director: Fr. Ghevond Ajamian | Coordinator: Maria Derderian

August 2 - August 10

High School Summer Conference B

Director: Fr. Ghevond Ajamian | Coordinator: Maria Derderian

Click the links to find registration and other information on the St. Nersess Seminary website, and to view a flyer.

FAR NEWS

For the second time, FAR, in partnership with Harvard University, has organized a highly sought-after workshop—“Ultrasound in Critical Situations.” This intensive training brought together healthcare professionals from Armenia’s regions and the capital, Yerevan, to enhance their skills in point-of-care ultrasound, a vital tool for rapid diagnosis in emergency medicine.

The course, held on March 9-10, was designed for emergency medicine specialists, cardiologists, and intensive care specialists. Participants underwent six months of preparatory distance learning before the two-day, on-site intensive training. A total of 30 medical professionals, including doctors from university hospitals and regional medical centers, took part in this hands-on experience.

“This course emphasized the importance of ultrasound examination for early diagnosis. Our goal is to ensure that local professionals continue this work independently, as they now possess the necessary knowledge and skills,” said Hambardzum Simonyan, FAR’s Healthcare Program Director. He added that the first course, held in 2022 with 20 participants, proved invaluable and highlighted the need for continued training.

The workshop combined theory and practice, featuring discussions on real clinical cases, interactive Q&A sessions, and, most importantly, hands-on ultrasound training.

“Our main focus is on using ultrasound in emergency situations. We aim to train cardiologists and intensive care doctors, and it’s rewarding to see our past participants now teaching others. This initiative began three years ago through our cooperation with FAR, which later led to broader collaborations and the launch of this second course,” said Dr. Akiva Leibowitz of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School.

Join us in our mission to strengthen Armenia’s healthcare system, improve patient outcomes and save lives! Donate to FAR today!

ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH WED EDUCATIONAL

FUND SCHOLARSHIP

Diocesan Scholarship Applications Available Online

Applications for Diocesan scholarships are now available online. The application deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is May 19, 2025.

 Each year the Diocese awards scholarships to promising youth who are headed to college. The Diocese seeks students who are active in their local parishes and have assumed leadership roles in their communities.

Click here to access the scholarship application. For information, contact Maria Barsoumian at (212) 686-0710, ext. 136, or e-mail mariab@armeniandiocese.org.

Register for the 123rd Diocesan Assembly (May 1-3)

The newly-consecrated Holy Archangels Church of St. Michael and St. Gabriel, in Haverhill, MA, will host the 123rd Assembly of the Eastern Diocese, bringing together clergy, delegates, and faithful from across the Eastern Diocese.

The Diocesan Assembly sessions will convene Thursday to Saturday, May 1-3, 2025, preceded by the Clergy Conference on April 29-May 1. During the same weekend, the Women’s Guild Assembly, organized by the Women’s Guild Central Council, will be hosted by the Holy Archangels Women’s Guild.

A highlight of the gathering will be the gala banquet and dance on Friday, May 2, during which the Eastern Diocese will honor James Kalustian as “Armenian Church Member of the Year,” and Fr. John Delaney as this year’s “Friend of Armenians.”

Click here to view a two-page flyer with details of the gala banquet and dance.

Registration for the 123rd Diocesan Assembly is now open. Clergy, delegates, and other Diocesan Assembly participants may register online via the parish website.

Click the following links to register for the 123rd Diocesan Assembly, make online hotel reservations, and find detailed information on all the proceedings, including the gala dinner-dance and its commemorative booklet.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

RECYCLING PROGRAM NEWS

Thanks to our Recycling Committee for their work in sorting and bringing home the recyclables every Sunday, especially during our recent Food Festival. What has been discouraging, though, is that people continue to throw half-full coffee cups and food into the container, which makes it very messy for us. Please put only the following in the container:

Empty plastic bottles

Empty aluminum cans

Empty glass bottles

Nothing else!!

No paper, no plastic silverware, no coffee cups, no paper plates, no food. We are trying to keep things simple.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please email Roxanne Paul at rangerrox@msn.com. Thank you for being so supportive in helping keep our planet cleaner!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Special Gift for St. Mary Gift Shop

St. Mary gift shop is offering limited numbers of imported bottles of medieval Armenian health elixirs formulated from ancient manuscripts deciphered at the Matendaran Museum of Ancient Armenian Manuscripts. These elixirs are made in Armenia by Armen Sahakyan, a pharmacologist and botanical scholar who has been working at the Matenadaran Museum for the last several decades. A trained medical doctor ordained a deacon in 1997, Sahakyan has dedicated his life to the maintenance of Armenia’s sacred botanical traditions.

The three different batches available at our gift shop (Royal Elixir, Arates Elixir and Arates Tonic) are made from a codified recipe of medieval Armenian medicine, using a special distillation process. They contain medicinal and aromatic plants, known for their healing properties. Through the distillation and aging process alcohol is created, so think of them as perhaps Armenia’s first (healthy) cognac! 

The supplies are limited and each bottle is numbered, including the batch and year of production. All of the bottles were donated to St Mary Church, so 100% of the proceeds will go to the St Mary Endowment Fund, with a portion also going to support Armenian clergy serving in Artsakh.

"Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund

Dear Parishioners and Friends, 

This year we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the St. Mary Community and Church with the launch of the new "Embrace the Future" Endowment Fund to help ensure our church has the resources needed to continue serving our beloved community.  

Just as you plan for your future and that of your family, please join us in planning for the future of St. Mary Church. 

We are asking for your support so that St. Mary will be able to continue to fulfill her mission for future generations.  

The link below lists various opportunities for you to make a meaningful gift of lasting significance that will help support our church's long-term security, visibility, and vitality. Please consider making either a one-time gift or pledge, which would allow you to make payments over a five-year period.

Join St. Mary's Prayer Group

We are initiating a new form of ministry at St. Mary Armenian Church. For parishioners who would like to make an electronic prayer request, they can do so by Clicking Here

A group of volunteers will receive the request and pray at their earliest convenience. Additionally, a new physical prayer request box will be placed at the entrance of St. Mary Armenian Church with blank forms that anyone can fill out and drop in the box. These requests will be retrieved weekly and delivered to the members of the volunteer prayer group. If you would like to become one of the volunteers of the Prayer Group please email us. 

Please click on the link below to present your request. 

Buy a Brick and Leave Your Legacy at

St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church

Bricks can be ordered and purchased by clicking below and

filling out a simple online order form.

You can choose to have a 4" x 8" brick

which includes your preselected

3 lines of 20 characters per line of text.

Or you can choose to have the

Armenian Cross artwork on the 4" x 8" brick

which includes your preselected

3 lines of 15 characters per line of text.

Order Today While Quantities Last!

Payment can be made with PayPal or a Credit Card.

Legacy Brick Donations are Tax Deductible.

March 26 A Spiritual Journey- Lenten Worship Service and Dinner 7PM

April 2 A Spiritual Journey- Lenten Worship Service and Dinner 7PM

April 9 A Spiritual Journey- Lenten Worship Service and Dinner 7PM

April 13 Palm Sunday

April 13 Ani Shahinian, D.Phil., Lecture "But take courage, I have overcome the world"

April 20 Easter Sunday

11 Եւ Յիսուս իր աշակերտներին ասաց. «Մի մեծահարուստ մարդ կար, որ մի տնտես ունէր. եւ նրա մասին ամբաստանութիւն եղաւ, որպէս թէ վատնում է իր տիրոջ ունեցուածքը: 2 Տէրը կանչեց նրան ու ասաց. “Այս ի՞նչ եմ լսում քո մասին. տո՛ւր քո տնտեսութեան հաշիւը, որովհետեւ այլեւս տնտես լինել չես կարող”: 3 Տնտեսն իր մտքում ասաց. “Ի՞նչ պէտք է անեմ, քանի որ իմ տէրը տնտեսութիւնս ինձնից վերցնում է. հողի վրայ աշխատել չեմ կարող, մուրալ ամաչում եմ: 4 Գիտեմ, թէ ինչ պիտի անեմ, որպէսզի երբ տնտեսութիւնիցս հեռացուեմ, ընունեն ինձ իրենց տները”: 5 Եւ իր տիրոջ պարտապաններից իւրաքանչիւրին մէկ առ մէկ իր մօտ կանչելով՝ առաջինին ասում է. “Իմ տիրոջն ինչքա՞ն պարտք ունես”: 6 Եւ սա ասում է. “Հարիւր տակառիկ ձէթ”. եւ տնտեսը նրան ասում է. “Ա՛ռ քո մուրհակը եւ նստի՛ր ու անմիջապէս գրիր յիսուն”: 7 Ապա դարձեալ միւսին ասում է. “Դու ինչքա՞ն պարտք ունես”. եւ սա ասաց. “Հինգ հարիւր պարկ ցորեն”: Տնտեսը նրան ասաց. “Ա՛ռ քո մուրհակը եւ նստի՛ր ու գրիր չորս հարիւր”: 8 Եւ տէրը գովեց անիրաւ տնտեսին, որովհետեւ հնարամտութեամբ գործեց, քանի որ այս աշխարհի որդիները աւելի հնարամիտ են, քան լոյսի որդիներն իրենց սերնդի մէջ: 9 Եւ ես ձեզ ասում եմ. անիրաւ մամոնայից ձեզ համար բարեկամներ արէք, որպէսզի երբ այն պակասի, յաւիտենական յարկերի տակ ընդունեն ձեզ: 10 Քչի մէջ հաւատարիմը շատի մէջ էլ հաւատարիմ է. իսկ քչի մէջ անիրաւը շատի մէջ էլ անիրաւ է: 11 Արդ, եթէ անիրաւ մամոնայի մէջ հաւատարիմ չեղաք, ձեզ ո՞վ կվստահի ճշմարիտը: 12 Եւ եթէ ուրիշինի մէջ հաւատարիմ չեղաք, ձերը ո՞վ կտայ ձեզ: 13 Ոչ մի ծառայ երկու տիրոջ ծառայել չի կարող. որովհետեւ եթէ մէկին ատի, միւսին կսիրի. կամ եթէ մէկին մեծարի, միւսին էլ կարհամարհի: Չէք կարող ե՛ւ Աստծուն ծառայել, ե՛ւ մամոնային»: 14 Երբ փարիսեցիները լսում էին այս բոլորը, նրան պախարակում էին, քանի որ արծաթասէր էին: 15 Եւ նրանց ասաց. «Դուք էք, որ մարդկանց առաջ ձեզ արդար էք ձեւացնում, սակայն Աստուած ձեր սրտերը գիտէ. որովհետեւ այն, որ մարդկանց առաջ բարձր է, Աստծոյ առաջ զազրելի է: 16 Օրէնքն ու մարգարէները մինչեւ Յովհաննէսն էին. այնուհետեւ աւետարանւում է Աստծոյ արքայութիւնը, եւ ամէն ոք ուժով է այն նուաճում: 17 Աւելի հեշտ է, որ երկինք ու երկիր անցնեն, քան թէ օրէնքից մէկ նշանախեց ընկնի: 18 Ով որ իր կնոջն արձակում է եւ մի ուրիշին առնում, շնանում է. իսկ ով որ արձակուածին է առնում, շնանում է: 19 Մի մեծահարուստ մարդ կար, որ բեհեզ ու ծիրանի էր հագնում եւ ամէն օր առատապէս ուրախութիւն էր անում: 20 Եւ Ղազարոս անունով մի աղքատ մարդ ընկած էր նրա դռան առաջ վէրքերով ծածկուած: 21 Եւ ցանկանում էր լցնել իր որովայնը այն փշրանքներով, որոնք թափւում էին մեծահարուստի սեղանից: Եւ դեռ շներն էլ գալիս էին ու լիզում նրա վէրքերը: 22 Երբ աղքատը մեռաւ, հրեշտակները նրան տարան Աբրահամի գոգը. մեծահարուստն էլ մեռաւ ու թաղուեց: 23 Եւ դժոխքում, մինչ սա տանջանքների մէջ էր, բարձրացրեց իր աչքերը, հեռուից տեսաւ Աբրահամին եւ Ղազարոսին էլ՝ նրա գրկում հանգստացած: 24 Եւ նա աղաղակեց ու ասաց. “Հա՛յր Աբրահամ, ողորմի՛ր ինձ եւ ուղարկի՛ր Ղազարոսին, որ իր մատի ծայրը թրջի ջրով ու զովացնի լեզուս, որովհետեւ այս տապից պապակում եմ”: 25 Եւ Աբրահամը նրան ասաց. “Որդեա՛կ, յիշի՛ր, որ դու ստացար քո բարիքները այնտեղ՝ քո կեանքի ընթացքում, իսկ Ղազարոսն էլ՝ չարչարանքները. այժմ սա այստեղ մխիթարւում է, իսկ դու այդտեղ պապակում ես: 26 Եւ այս բոլորից բացի, մեծ վիհ կայ մեր եւ ձեր միջեւ. եթէ ուզեն այստեղից ձեզ մօտ անցնել, չեն կարողանայ. ոչ էլ այդտեղից մէկը կարող է մեզ մօտ անցնել”: 27 Մեծահարուստն ասաց. “Արդ, աղաչում եմ քեզ, հա՛յր, որ Ղազարոսին ուղարկես իմ հօր տունը, 28 որտեղ ես հինգ եղբայրներ ունեմ, որպէսզի նրանց վկայութիւն տայ, որ նրանք էլ չգան տանջանքների այս վայրը”: 29 Եւ Աբրահամն ասաց. “Նրանք ունեն Մովսէս եւ մարգարէներ, թող նրանց լսեն”: 30 Եւ նա ասաց. “Ո՛չ, հա՛յր Աբրահամ. բայց եթէ մեռելներից մէկը նրանց մօտ գնայ, նրանք կապաշխարեն”: 31 Եւ Աբրահամը նրան ասաց. “Եթէ Մովսէսին եւ մարգարէներին չեն լսում, մեռելներից մէկն էլ եթէ յարութիւն առնի, չպիտի համոզուեն”»: Ղուկասի 16:1-31

16 Then Jesus[a] said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’ 7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much, and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they ridiculed him. 15 So he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.16 “The law and the prophets were in effect until John came; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is proclaimed, and everyone tries to enter it by force. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one stroke of a letter in the law to be dropped.18 “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and whoever marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:1-31

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