“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate – The Church of Alexandria

St. Mary & St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church
Reaching out to Somerset and Hunterdon Counties in NJ

Resources on Annual Weekly Gospel Contemplations

3rd Week of Mesore

Blasphemy Against the Holy SpiritThe Unpardonable Sin “Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” On this Sunday, the third Sunday of Mesore, the Church reads from Mark 3:22-35. This reading unfolds shortly after Christ had performed remarkable signs and wonders. While performing miracles, the Scribes and…

2nd Sunday of Mesore

The Call of The SinnersThe Call of Levi “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” On this Sunday, the Second Sunday of the blessed month of Mesore, the Church reads Luke 5:27-39. In this reading, Christ calls Levi (the tax collector) to follow Him. This Gospel does not recount a…

1st Sunday of Mesore

The Rejected HeirThe Parable of the Wicked Tenants “This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.” (Luke 20:14) As we enter the final two months of the Coptic year, Mesore and El-Nasi (The Little Month), the Church begins to draw our hearts and minds toward the Second Coming and the Day…

4th Sunday of Epep

Jesus Raises LazarusI Am the Resurrection and the Life “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” On this Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Epep, the Church reads from John 11:1-45, the account of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead, a passage rich in…

3rd Sunday of Epep

The Bread of Life for the FlockThe Lord Feeds the Five Thousands “And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them.” Today is the Third Sunday of the Blessed month of Epep, and on this blessed day the Church reads ​​Luke 9:10-17. The passage…

2nd Sunday of Epep

Childlike HeartsThe Greatest in the Kingdom of Heavens“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” On this blessed 2nd Sunday of Epep, the Church presents us with the Gospel from Matthew 18:1-9. In this passage, Jesus responds to a question posed by His disciples: “Who is greatest in the kingdom…

1st Sunday of Epep

Apostles Sent to Serve“Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.” On the First Sunday of the blessed month of Epep, the Church reads Luke 10:1-20. In this reading, Christ sends out seventy apostles, two by two, into the world to preach the good news, not only to the Jews but now to the…

5th Sunday of Paone

“Let It Be to Me”The Annunciation On this Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Paone, the Church reads from Luke 1:26-38. In these verses, which often called “The Annunciation”, St. Luke is describing the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary, announcing her miraculous conception of Jesus. Gabriel appeared and greeted St. Mary saying: “Greetings, O favored one,…

4th Sunday of Paone

Love Your Enemies On this Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Paone, the Church reads from Luke 6:27-38. This reading coincides with the sixth *antithesis from the Sermon on the Mount. Additionally, the vesper’s reading for this Sunday also begins with the sixth antithesis, but it is taken from the Matthew 5:34-48. Jesus is not contradicting…

3rd Sunday of Paone

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit On the 3rd Sunday of the Blessed month of Paone, the Church reads Matthew 12:22-37. In these verses we read about a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute. Brought to Jesus so he can be healed. Christ then healed the demon-oppressed man, and the people were amazed. But when…