My Child

Source: Excerpt from Paradise of the Fathers

Jesus Loves His Child
Jesus Loves His Children

My Child,

With eternal love I have loved you, thus, I have protected you from many evil temptations that occupied you, and I had compassion upon you by My blessing and choice. I have granted you and given you wisdom, that guided you in intense situations, I took care of your matters, and granted you overwhelming happiness. I strengthened you when you were weak, and from many tribulations I have delivered you. I taught you, I have advised you, and still in front of Me, this is nothing. So do not thank Me for it, for My love demands that I do this for your sake.

You rejected me, swore at me, lied to me, thought evil against me, denied me in front of people, belittled Me in the eyes of My enemies. I was obedient in your sight, Yet you caused Me misery. You left My ways, you resisted Me, and made Me bare what I did not want from you. You made my sadness unutterable, and embarrassed Me in numerous situations. All this I will not count nor consider, for you did it out of ignorance and in unbelief.

I came down from My Kingdom taking the form of a servant, and became like man, and was found in Divinity. Like man, became hungry and could not find that which would fill me, when from Me came all the blessings. I was thirsty, and could not find the one to give Me drink, even though I created the seas. No place to lay My head, though I have created holes for foxes and the air for the birds.

I was saddened for you, and wept much for you, I suffered bitterly for your sake. And what did I get in the end? I was captured, and falsely accused, even though I committed no evil, and in My mouth no lie could be found.

They slapped Me, and with lashes torn at My body, and even My hair they grabbed with violence. They ripped My garment and mocked Me. They forced a crown of thorns on My head. They bowed to Me in mockery, they spit on My face and with a rod they hit Me on the head, till the thorns dug deep within my skull. AND ON THE WOOD OF SHAME THREW ME. They nailed My hands and My feet and lifted Me for all to see. And I was as a lamb who was slaughtered. Silent was I in front of all, and opened My mouth not as if I was cut out of the world and became like vapor. All My bones were separated. My heart became like a candle, melted among my emotions. They gave Me vinegar to drink, along with its bitter taste. They cursed Me, so I blessed them, and asked for their forgiveness and granted them mercy. All this I endured because I love you. Do you then question My love?

Jesus and Child

Come close and do not fear, give Me your heart and I will return it to you like new. Give Me your life, so that I may move you from darkness to the light and from death to life. I will make you a child of God and share My inheritance and My Kingdom with you. All this, so that your sadness may become joy, and give you hope, your worries into gains, and your fear into peace. I will put a new hymn in your mouth.

I will carry you, and in the days of hunger feed you. So do not worry or fear tonight, and you shall succeed in your path. You shall not be tormented in the process. And on your side thousands shall fall, and to your right dominions will tremble. FOR I AM WITH YOU. Therefore, I will deliver you, and carry you and bring you into My heart and I will put My left arm under your head, and My right arm will embrace you. I will guard you from him who hates good, and I will return his poison back to him and bring him under your feet. And thus, I shall conclude your life, with righteous days, blessed and joyful. And to My glory I will bring you. By My side you will find richness, and comfort and peace.

Do you still question My love?

Come now and do not reject my invitation this time, for I am waiting for you.

Your Love, Jesus.

Art in Heaven 2010

On February 6, St. George and St. Shenouda’s Coptic Orthodox Church hosted the Art In Heaven Gallery at the historic Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City. Nearly 185 patrons attended the event, supported by about 30 participating artists. The gallery boasted over 70 pieces of art, from which 51 pieces were sold to the highest bidder via a silent auction. The event raised $10,157.57, which will go directly towards the building of a new church for the congregation. We would like to thank the artists for their contributions, the servants for their tireless efforts, and the attendees for their generous donations. May God give everyone their reward and grant them the heavenly instead of the earthly and the eternal instead of the temporal. May He also complete for us our New Building Project according to His will and plan. Thank you!

Full Album of Pics @ StShenoudaJC.org

iCoptic – iPhone App

Source: http://copticlibrary.net/icoptic.htm

CopticLibrary.net is proud to present ‘iCoptic’ – your spiritual resource on your iPhone and iPod touch.

Meditate on the daily liturgical readings of the Coptic Orthodox Church from the Katamerous (lectionary), Synexarium (lives of the saints), pray from the Agpeya (book of hours) and read the Holy Bible. No internet connection is necessary as all the readings are on your device!!

iCoptic App Demo Video

iCoptic Features:

  • ‘Today’ tab features the liturgical readings of the day including Vespers, Matins, Pauline, Catholic, Acts, & Gospel. You may also read ahead or if you missed yesterday’s reading, you may catch up! The corresponding season and hymn tune of the Church is also displayed along with the Gregorian and Coptic dates.
  • ‘Katamerous’ tab allows you to pick any day of the year (Coptic or Gregorian calendars) and it will view the readings for that specific day. Years (1971-2038) supported in the Gregorian calendar and years (1688-1752) supported in the Coptic Calendar.
  • ‘Synexarium’ tab allows you to read the lives of the Saints for that day. You may skip ahead or check yesterday’s reading as well. A search feature is also available in this section.
  • ‘Agpeya’ tab allows you to view the entire book of hours. You may view the complete hour at once or choose a specific pslam to pray. All readings are in modern day English.
  • ‘Bible’ tab allows you to read any book in the Bible including the Second Canonical Books! All readings are in modern day English except for the Second Canonical Books.

iCoptic in the App store

iCoptic ver 1.0 has been released and may be found in the app store. Please note, all proceeds go into the development of this app and future applications and/or projects.