Coptic SMS

The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is one of the most profound stories told by our Lord Jesus Christ. It speaks not only of repentance and forgiveness but also reveals the dangers of spiritual pride and the true meaning of our relationship with God. In this parable, we find two sons, both of whom lost their way, though in different manners.

Lent is indeed a powerful season in the Church designed to redirect our focus from the outer person — with its worldly distractions and concerns — to the inner person, where true spiritual growth and communion with God take place.

From the Orthodox Church Fathers' teachings, fasting is much deeper than just abstaining from certain foods. Here's their understanding: - St. John Chrysostom emphasizes that true fasting begins with the mouth - controlling not just food, but also harmful speech - St. Basil the Great teaches that fasting must be accompanied by spiritual efforts: "Fasting with the body while continuing to sin is li...

Every church feast or liturgy is an opportunity for growth!

John 6:  26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Give me, O Lord, many fountains of tears, as You gave, in the past, the sinful woman. Make me worthy to wash Your Feet which liberated me from the path of straying, and to offer you a precious fragrant oil, and gain, through repentance, a pure life, so that I may hear that voice full of joy: “Your faith has saved you.”

Purify our souls, our bodies, our spirits, our hearts, our eyes, our understanding, our thoughts, and our consciences, so that, with a pure heart, an enlightened soul, an unashamed face, a faith unfeigned, a perfect love, and a firm hope, we may dare with boldness, without fear, to pray to You ..

The Lamb of God John 1 26John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” 29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a...

In our journey of faith, may we learn from the humility and obedience of St. Mary. Let us echo her fiath, surrendering our lives to God's will and trusting in His faithfulness. As we yield to Him, may we experience the transformative power of His grace and be vessels through which His love and salvation are revealed to the world.

Face fear with Faith! - 1st Sunday of Kiahk

Preparation through Faith, Submission, Humility & Praise

Let's surrender to the Word of God, accepting it faithfully, not just logically. And let's not delay in applying it, lest we miss out on the incredible rewards that await us.  Let's ask for help and learn from and follow the steps of our forefathers, walking in the footsteps of our faithful ancestors.

If Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, why can't I feel His presence, power, and blessings in my life?  What's missing?  According to the Sunday church readings during the blessed month of Baba, the reasons might include: •⁠ ⁠Lack of faith •⁠ ⁠Lack of understanding •⁠ ⁠Unhealthy thoughts and emotions •⁠ ⁠Being too busy Let's reflect on these potential obstacles and seek a deeper conn...

Luke 5: 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”  6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

"As the Bible teaches us in Psalm 1:1-3, 'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither; and whatever h...

Mark 2 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about...

Luke 7 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the...

May The Cross of My Lord Jesus Christ Protect Me & Deliver Me!

Lk 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes.

Behold, I am about to stand before the Just Judge terrified and trembling because of my many sins. For a life spent in pleasures deserves condemnation. But repent, O my soul, so long as you dwell on this earth, for inside the grave, dust does not praise. And among the dead, no one remembers, neither in hades, does anyone give thanks. Therefore arise from the slumber of laziness, and entreat the Sa...

John 19 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Luke 9 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me.  24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.  25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

Luke 5 27 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

Luke 20 Then He began to tell the people this parable: "A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for a long time. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard.

John’s Witness: The True Light John 1 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name  was  John.  7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but  was    sent  to bear witness of that Light.