“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

4th Sunday of Kiahk

The Birth of John the Baptist“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;  for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways.” Luke 1:76 Today is the Fourth Sunday of the Blessed month of Kiahk and today’s Gospel reading is from Luke 1:57-80. In this passage, we witness the birth of St. John the…

3rd Sunday of Kiahk

Mary Visits Elizabeth “…and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:40-41) On this Third Sunday of the blessed month of Kiahk, the Church reads from Luke 1:39–56. This Gospel recounts the visitation of St. Mary to her…

2nd Sunday of Kiahk

Birth of Jesus Foretold“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) On this Sunday, the second Sunday of Kiahk, the Church reads about the annunciation of the birth of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ to our Mother and Virgin Saint Mary from…

1st Sunday of Kiahk

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold“Your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.” (Luke 1:13) On this first Sunday of the blessed month of Koiahk, the church’s Gospel reading is from Luke 1:1-25. In this passage, St. Luke begins by stating his…

4th Sunday of Hathor

The Danger of Riches “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23) This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Hathor, and the Gospel comes from Mark 10:17-31. In this passage, we read about the man who asked Jesus about what he should do to obtain eternal…

3rd Sunday of Hathor

The Cost of Discipleship “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27) On this Sunday, the Third Sunday of the blessed month of Hathor, the Church reads Luke 14:25-35. In this reading, Jesus teaches the crowd that the only way to obtain eternal life is to put…

2nd Sunday of Hathor

Parable of the Sower“ He who has ears, let him hear.” (Mat 13:9) On this Sunday, the second Sunday of Hathor, the Church reads from Matthew 13:1-9 the Parable of the Sower. The Gospel passage begins with Jesus leaving the house (Mt 13:1). But why is this significant? Origen the Scholar interprets this verse (Mt 13:1)…

1st Sunday of Hathor

Parable of the Sower“The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11) On this Sunday, the first Sunday of the blessed month of Hathor, the Church reads the Parable of the Sower, found in Luke 8:4-15. In this parable, Christ describes a story of a Sower who sows his seed on four different types of…

5th Sunday of Paope

Feeding the Multitudes“…..and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.” (John 6:13) On the 2nd Sunday of the blessed month of Meshir, the Church reads John 6:5-14. The passage describes the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. This excerpt manifests the limitless power of our Lord…

4th Sunday of Paope

Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son“Young man, I say to you, arise” – (Luke 7:14) This Sunday, the 4th Sunday of the blessed month of Paope, the Church Gospel reading is from Luke 7: 11-17. This passage tells the moving account of Jesus raising the son of the widow of Nain. As our Lord approached the gates…