“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

2nd Sunday of Paone

Healing the Paralytic “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (Luke 5:20) 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…

1st Sunday of Paone

The Lord’s Prayer “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) On this Sunday, 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…

2nd Sunday of Meshir

Feeding the Multitudes Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. John 6:11 On 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…

1st Sunday of Meshir

I Am the Bread of LifeDo not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life,which the Son of Man will give to you. John 6:27 On the first Sunday of Amshir, the Church reads from John 6:22-27. Despite its brevity, this Gospel passage reveals a profound spiritual journey, one that…

4th Sunday of Tobe

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” John 9:5 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…

3rd Sunday of Tobe

John the Baptist Exalts ChristThe One from Heaven“He must increase, but I must decrease,” John 3:30 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…

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…

1st Sunday of Tobe

The Flight to Egypt &The Massacre of the Enfants “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, ………for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13 On the first Sunday of Tobe, the Church reads from Matthew 2:13-23. This Gospel, alongside all the readings of the day,…

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 Koiahk 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…