Jesus and Beelzebul“Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.” (Matthew 12:25) On the Third Sunday of the blessed month of Paope, the Church reads Matthew 12:22-28. In this reading, Jesus heals a demon-possessed blind and mute man. Instead of glorifying and thanking God for…
Jesus Call to Simon the 1st Disciple “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” (Luke 5:10) On this Sunday the second Sunday of Paope, the Church reads from Luke 5:1-11. This Gospel begins by describing how the crowd was pressing in on Jesus “to hear the word of God” (Lk…
Jesus Heals a Paralytic ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ (Mark 2:5) On the 1st Sunday of the blessed month of Paope the Church reads from the Gospel of Mark2:1-12. In these verses we read the story of Christ healing the paralyzed man in Capernaum. When the Lord had entered Capernaum and settled in a house…
Jesus Pardons the Sinful Woman “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50) On the 4th Sunday of Thoout, and the Holy Gospel for this week is from Luke 7:36-50. In this moving scene of repentance, we read about a sinful woman, anonymous yet courageous, who approaches Christ with deep humility. She washed…
Zacchaeus Meets the Jesus “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5) On this Sunday, the Third Sunday of the blessed month of Thoout, the Church reads Luke 19:1-10. In this reading, we hear about the story of Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector in the city of…
Jesus Rejoices in the Father’s Will “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son” (Luke 10:22) On this Sunday, the second Sunday of Thoout, the Church reads from Luke 10:21-28. The Gospel begins…
Jesus’ Testimony to John “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John” (Luke 7:28) On this Sunday, the First Sunday of the blessed month of Thoout, the Church reads Luke 7:28-35. In this Gospel, Christ gives testimony to the crowds in response to the question John the Baptist had sent earlier: “Are…
Signs of the End of AgeThe Coming of the Son of Man “And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Today is the last Sunday of the Coptic Year, the short month of El-Nasi, and we read from Matthew 24:3-35. Like last Sunday’s reading in (Mark…
Signs of the End of the AgeEndurance in Tribulation “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Mark 13:13). As the end of the Coptic year approaches, the Church deliberately places before us readings that remind us that life on this earth is…
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…