March 28

TOP STORY   

Judgment by Man and God

A common thread runs through the Lenten Gospel reading for Sunday, March 30 -the Sunday of the Judge.

In one parable, our Lord tells the story of a widow who would not cease calling on a judge for justice-and we are meant to think about our own prayers to heaven. In a second parable, a Pharisee and a tax collector praying in the Temple, displaying very different attitudes towards God.

In both stories, Jesus teaches about the coming of God's kingdom and the judgment of all mankind. Christ leads us to see that as human beings, we stand before God every day. Indeed, one day, at the coming of His kingdom, we will stand before Him as our judge.

So, we must ask ourselves: How should we stand before God? How should we prepare to show ourselves to Him?  Click here for some thoughtful answers.

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 30, 2025

SUNDAY

SCHEDULE

Sunrise Service 

10:00 AM

Holy Badarak 

10:30 AM

Celebrant

Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan

Usher

Ms. Patricia Yeghissian

Parish Council Members on Duty

Ohannes Sivaslian

Choir

Mrs. Edita Kalayjian

Organist

Mrs. Karine Muradyan

Bible Readings:

Isaiah 65:8-25

Philippians 3:1-4:9

Luke 17:20-18:14

HOKEHANKIST

REQUIEM SERVICE

To request a Hokehankist/Requiem Service 

Please contact the Church Office

by 12:00 Noon on Thursday

202-363-1923

or Click here to see the form

Prayer of the week

O Lord, send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.

   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.

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

Lenten Journey: Humility and Overcoming Spiritual Pride

On Wednesday, March 26, St. Mary Armenian Church continued its Lenten Journey 2025 series with a meaningful evening focused on the theme of “Humility and Overcoming Spiritual Pride,” based on the Gospel verse: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).

Following the Rest Hour service, Dn. Mark Krikorian offered a reflection on the importance of humility and the constant need to overcome spiritual pride—not only during Lent but throughout our Christian lives. Drawing from the teachings of Christ, he reminded everyone present that true humility opens our hearts to God's grace and transforms our spiritual journey.

Afterward, all in attendance gathered in the church hall for a Lenten dinner graciously sponsored by the St. Mary Choir members. During the meal, Alex Madajian presented an engaging slideshow, sharing his experiences from a six-month service with Birthright Armenia. His testimony reflected the deep connection between faith, identity, and service, offering inspiration to all.

It was an evening rich in reflection, fellowship, and encouragement, helping our parish community grow in humility and spiritual awareness during this sacred season.

Reflections on Armenian-Christian Heritage Shared at Catholic University Lecture

On March 27, members of our parish joined scholars, students, and guests at the Catholic University of America for a special event in the Grace and Paul Shahinian Armenian Christian Art and Culture Lecture Series. The lecture, titled “When Things Fall Apart: Disentangling Christian-Muslim Relations in Medieval Armenia,” was delivered by Dr. Sergio La Porta, a leading scholar of Armenian Studies and Acting Dean at California State University, Fresno.

Dr. La Porta’s talk explored the shifting relationships between Christian and Muslim communities in Armenia during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. He highlighted how, in the face of political upheaval—such as the Byzantine annexation and Seljuk invasions—a form of coexistence known as “rough tolerance” developed, only to unravel in the later medieval period. Drawing on Armenian historical and spiritual writings, including martyrdom narratives, Dr. La Porta illuminated how these texts both reflected and responded to the evolving dynamics of faith and identity during a complex era of Armenian history.

The Shahinian Lecture Series is named in honor of Paul and Grace Shahinian, the beloved parents of our longtime parishioner and ardent advocate of Armenian Christian heritage and art, Mr. Dean Shahinian. Their legacy continues to inspire thoughtful reflection on the richness of our Christian heritage.

We are grateful to all who attended and supported this meaningful event, which deepened our understanding of the enduring witness of the Armenian Church and people across the centuries.

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!

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

WCC Speaks Out on Human Rights of Armenian Detainees

The world’s leading ecumenical organization delivered a strong message on the ongoing plight of Armenian detainees, in remarks delivered before the United Nations Human Rights Council this week.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) made its formal statement during the 58th UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Ani Ghazaryan Drissi, the WCC’s director of Ecumenical Education, spoke on behalf of the Christian inter-church group and its member denominations around the world.

“The World Council of Churches expresses deep concern over the continued unlawful detention of Armenian individuals by Azerbaijan,” she said. “The taking and holding of hostages violate fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, and constitute a serious breach of human rights.”

The WCC called on the UN Human Rights Council to take all available measures to ensure the release of these hostages, and on all parties to fulfill their legal obligations under international law.

The statement concluded: “The World Council of Churches continues to stand in solidarity with the Armenian Church and people and all those affected by this situation, and reaffirms its commitment to justice and peace.”

Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Eastern Diocese’s Legate and Ecumenical Director, as well as a vice-moderator on the WCC Central Committee, has been instrumental in keeping the issue of Artsakh and Armenia at the forefront of urgent concerns for the World Council of Churches, and for the global ecumenical movement in general.

Click here to read more, including the full WCC statement, and to find links to a video recording of the UNHRC session.

Յիշելով Սբ. Գրիգոր Տաթեւացին (1346-1410)

Շաբաթ օր տօնեցինք Յովհան Որոտնեցիի աշակերտներէն եւ անոր յաջորդ՝ հայ Դպրոցական մշակութային ծաղկումին անուանի ուսուցչապետներէն Տաթեւացի Գրիգոր Վարդապետին յիշատակը: Քաղաքական անկայուն ժամանակներուն հետեւանքով դեգերած է եւ վարած է ուսուցչապետութիւնը շատ վանական ուսումնարաններու մէջ (Ապրակունեաց, Մեծոփ, Սաղմոսավանք, Որոտնավանք) բայց Տաթեւացի կոչումով կը յիշուի ան, որովհետեւ ամէնէն երկար Տաթեւի մեծ Վանքին մէջ առաջ տարած է իր հսկայածաւալ գիտական աշխատանքը:

Հայ Դոմենիկեան “միաբանող” եղբայրութեան դպրոցին դէմ դնելու համար՝ Գրիգոր Տաթեւացին որդեգրած է Յովհաննէս Դունս Սկովտիացիի ուղղութիւնը, մեծապէս ընդարձակելով եւ հարստացնելով հայոց իմաստասիրական եւ աստուածաբանական իմացական հորիզոնը: Մտաւորական իր հետաքրքրութիւնը, սակայն, փակ չէ մնացած իր հակառակորդներուն եռանդագին պաշտպանած արիստոտէլեան իմացութիւններուն դէմ. փաստ՝ իր համառօտ թարգմանութիւնը Թոմաս Ագուինացիի Contra Gentiles հսկայ աշխատութեան, “Ընդդէմ Տաճկաց” տիտղոսով, զոր օսմանեան գրաքննութիւնը թոյլ չտուաւ հրատարակել “Գիրք Հարցմանց”ին 1729-ի հրատարակութեան մէջ: Բաբկէն Կիւլէսէրեան սրբազանը յետոյ առանձին հատորով հրատարակեց զայն (Ազգային Մատենադարան շարքին 123րդ հատորը, Վիեննա, Մխիթարեան Տպարան 1930):

Մանրանկարը՝ Յովհաննէս Որոտնեցի եւ Գրիգոր Տաթեւացի, 18րդ դարու թ. 3295 ձեռագիրէ, Մատենադարան, Երեւան:

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

FAR Collaborates with Harvard on Medical Tech Workshop

The Fund for Armenian Relief, in collaboration with Harvard University and Yerevan State Medical University, recently hosted an intensive training workshop for healthcare professionals in Armenia, titled “Using Ultrasound in Critical Medical Situations.” It was the second such workshop organized by FAR.

The event on March 9-10 brought together 30 emergency medicine specialists, cardiologists, and intensive care experts from across Armenia. After six months of preparatory learning, participants gained invaluable hands-on experience with point-of-care ultrasound—a crucial tool for rapid diagnosis in emergency care. The workshop combined theory, actual clinical cases, interactive discussions, and practical training to empower local doctors with the skills needed to independently improve patient outcomes.

With past participants now teaching others, FAR’s partnership with leading institutions like Harvard is also strengthening Armenia’s healthcare education system.

Learn more about FAR’s innovative healthcare initiatives in Armenia on FAR’s website.

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.

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.

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

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

 April 13 Palm Sunday.   

 April 13 Lecture "But take courage, I have overcome the world"  

                                              by Ani Shahinian, D.Phil., Ph.D.

 April 17 Great and Holy Thursday

 April 18 Great and Holy Friday

 April 19 Holy Saturday- Easter Eve

 April 20 Easter Sunday

20 Երբ փարիսեցիների կողմից հարց տրուեց, թէ երբ պիտի գայ Աստծոյ արքայութիւնը, նա պատասխանեց եւ ասաց. «Աստծոյ արքայութիւնը դրսից տեսանելի կերպով չի գալիս, 21 եւ չեն ասի, թէ ահաւասիկ, այստեղ է կամ այնտեղ, որովհետեւ ահա Աստծոյ արքայութիւնը ներսում՝ ձեր մէջ է»: 22 Իսկ իր աշակերտներին ասաց. «Կգան օրեր, երբ դուք կուզենաք մարդու Որդու օրերից մէկը տեսնել եւ չէք տեսնի: 23 Եւ եթէ ձեզ ասեն, թէ՝ “Ահաւասիկ այստեղ է կամ այնտեղ”, մի՛ շտապէք գնալ, 24 որովհետեւ ինչպէս որ փայլակը երկնքի ներքեւից փայլատակելով՝ երկնքի երեսը լուսաւորում է, այնպէս էլ կլինի մարդու Որդին իր օրում: 25 Բայց նախ նա պէտք է շատ չարչարուի եւ մերժուի այս սերնդից: 26 Եւ ինչպէս եղաւ Նոյի օրով, այնպէս կլինի եւ մարդու Որդու օրով: 27 Ուտում էին, խմում, կին էին առնում եւ մարդի էին գնում՝ մինչեւ այն օրը, երբ Նոյը տապան մտաւ, եւ ջրհեղեղը եկաւ ու բոլորին կորստեան մատնեց: 28 Նոյնպէս՝ ինչպէս Ղովտի օրով էլ եղաւ. ուտում էին, խմում, առնում էին ու վաճառում, տնկում էին, շինում: 29 Եւ այն օրը, երբ Ղովտը Սոդոմից դուրս ելաւ, երկնքից կրակ ու ծծումբ տեղաց եւ բոլորին կորստեան մատնեց: 30 Նոյն ձեւով է լինելու այն օրն էլ, երբ մարդու Որդին է յայտնուելու: 31 Այն օրը ով որ տանիքում է, եւ իր կարասին՝ տանը, թող չիջնի առնելու այն. եւ ով որ հանդում է, նոյնպէս թող յետ չդառնայ: 32 Յիշեցէ՛ք Ղովտի կնոջը: 33 Ով որ ուզի իր անձը փրկել, պիտի կորցնի այն, իսկ ով որ կորցնի իր անձը, պիտի փրկի այն: 34 Ասում եմ ձեզ. այն գիշերը, եթէ երկու հոգի լինեն մի մահճի մէջ, մէկը պիտի վերցուի, իսկ միւսը՝ թողնուի: 35 Եւ եթէ երկու կին միասին աղալիս լինեն, մէկը պիտի վերցուի, իսկ միւսը՝ թողնուի: Եւ եթէ հանդում երկու հոգի լինեն, մէկը պիտի վերցուի, իսկ միւսը՝ թողնուի»: 36 Պատասխան տուեցին եւ ասացին նրան. «Որտե՞ղ, Տէ՛ր»: 37 Եւ նա ասաց նրանց. «Ուր որ մարմինն է, այնտեղ էլ կհաւաքուեն արծիւները»:

18 1 Մի առակ էլ ասաց նրանց այն մասին, որ նրանք ամէն ժամ պէտք է աղօթեն ու չձանձրանան: 2 Ասաց. «Մի քաղաքում մի դատաւոր կար. Աստծուց չէր վախենում եւ մարդկանցից չէր ամաչում: 3 Եւ նոյն քաղաքում մի այրի կար, որ գալիս էր նրա մօտ եւ ասում. “Իմ ոսոխի դէմ իմ դատը տե՛ս”: 4 Եւ դատաւորը երկար ժամանակ չէր ուզում. դրանից յետոյ իր մտքում ասաց. “Թէեւ Աստծուց չեմ վախենում եւ մարդկանցից չեմ ամաչում, 5 բայց այն բանի համար, որ այրի կինը ինձ յոգնեցնում է, նրա դատը տեսնեմ, որպէսզի անընդհատ չգայ եւ ինձ չանհանգստացնի”»: 6 Եւ Տէրն ասաց. «Լսեցէ՛ք, թէ ինչ էր ասում անիրաւ դատաւորը: 7 Իսկ Աստուած արդարութիւն չի՞ անի իր այն ծառաներին, որոնք գիշեր եւ ցերեկ աղաղակում են. եւ նրանց հանդէպ միայն համբերատա՞ր կլինի: 8 Այո՛, ասում եմ ձեզ. նրանց իսկոյն արդարութիւն կանի. իսկ երբ մարդու Որդին գայ, արդեօք երկրի վրայ հաւատ կգտնի՞»: 9 Այս առակն էլ ասաց ոմանց, ովքեր իրենց ներսում պարծենում էին, թէ արդար են, եւ արհամարհում էին ուրիշ շատերին: 10 «Երկու մարդ տաճար ելաւ աղօթքի կանգնելու. մէկը՝ փարիսեցի, միւսը՝ մաքսաւոր: 11 Փարիսեցին կանգնած էր մեկուսի եւ ինքն իրեն այս աղօթքն էր ասում. “Աստուա՛ծ իմ, շնորհակալ եմ քեզնից, որ ես նման չեմ ուրիշ մարդկանց, ինչպէս յափշտակողները, անիրաւներն ու շնացողները եւ կամ ինչպէս այս մաքսաւորը. 12 այլ շաբաթը երկու անգամ ծոմ եմ պահում եւ տասանորդ եմ տալիս իմ ամբողջ եկամտից”: 13 Իսկ մաքսաւորը կանգնած էր մեկուսի եւ չէր իսկ կամենում իր աչքերը երկինք բարձրացնել, այլ ծեծում էր կուրծքը եւ ասում. “Աստուա՛ծ, ների՛ր ինձ՝ մեղաւորիս”: 14 Ասում եմ ձեզ. սա՛ իջաւ իր տունը արդարացած, ոչ թէ՝ միւսը. ով որ բարձրացնում է իր անձը, կխոնարհուի, եւ ով որ խոնարհեցնում է իր անձը, կբարձրացուի»:

Ղուկասի 17:20-18.14

20 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”22 Then he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will say to you, ‘Look there!’ or ‘Look here!’ Do not go, do not set off in pursuit. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.[c] 25 But first he must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed all of them. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day that Lot left Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed all of them 30 —it will be like that on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise, anyone in the field must not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it. 34 I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left.” 37 Then they asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

18 Then Jesus[e] told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 17:20-18.14

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