“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

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…

2nd Sunday of Paone

Healing the Paralytic Today is the Second Sunday of the Blessed month of Paone, and on this day the Church reads Luke 5:17-26. In these verses we read about a profound encounter between a group of friends who carry a paralyzed man on a mat, seeking Jesus’ healing touch. Since the house Jesus was in…

1st Sunday of Paone

On this Sunday (06/11/23), the First Sunday of the Paone, the Church reads Luke 11:1-13. In this reading, Christ provides instructions on how to perform true spiritual prayer through the Our Father prayer. As we begin the Apostle’s Fast, we must remember that in order to serve others, we must first have a deep relationship…

2nd Sunday of Meshir

Feeding the Multitudes On this Sunday (02/16/2025), the 2nd Sunday of the blessed month of Meshir, the Church reads John 6:5-14. In this passage, Christ feeds the 5000 (not including women and children) from 5 loaves and 2 fish. While this story is read many times throughout the year, this specific excerpt focuses on the…

1st Sunday of Meshir

I Am the Bread of Life On the first Sunday of Meshir, the Church reads from John 6:22-27. Despite its brevity, this Gospel passage reveals many important lessons worthy of contemplation. We will focus on three lessons: genuinely seeking Jesus, uncovering our intentions behind believing in God, and laboring for the food that endures to…

4th Sunday of Tobe

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind On this blessed Fourth Sunday of the month of Tobe, the Church reads John 9:1-38 (These Bible verses are read also at the 6th week during Lent). In these verses, Jesus and His disciples encounter a man who was born blind. The disciples ask whether his blindness is a punishment…

3rd Sunday of Tobe

John the Baptist Exalts ChristThe One from Heaven This Sunday, the Gospel is taken from John 3:22-36. In this passage, there was an argument between the disciples of St. John the Baptist and the Jews regarding purification, and they notified the Baptist that Jesus, the one that he baptized, is baptizing others. St. John responds…

2nd Sunday of Tobe

True Blessedness, The Sign of Jonah, and The Lamp of the Body On this Sunday, the Second Sunday of the blessed month of Tobe, the Church reads Luke 11:27-36. In this passage, Christ describes the true essence of faith and the process of nurturing it through the Word of God. He also hints at the…