An RSS feed of the literature released on the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States website http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/2317/life-now-versus-eternal-life"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Mark 8:36 Most people seldomly sit with themselves and ask serious questions, probably, because they do not want to think of death and judgment or they are denying the coming judgement altogether. So, they focus on material things, things that they can see and touch and or things that they are proud to have and accomplish. Many people, generation after generation refuse to learn from history or the wisdom and experiences of their own seniors or others. And therefore, a lot of those who opt to ignore others' wisdom and past experiences and choose to start their own experience from scratch, end up lacking, hurting, and disappointed. In every generation we see the same questions repeated over and over again. As if no one had answered these questions before. A great deal of books have been written on many topics and subjects, but unfortunately very few people read and learn. And consequently, people end up with the same questions and the same need for answers. In our modern age of advanced technology, many people especially young children are ...Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/2318/the-hand-that-never-let-go"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 Beaten, stepped on, humiliated for years, and or many other hostilities. Sounds familiar? We all go through ups and downs, times of sunshine and times of darkness. We all experience lonely and gloomy nights and then the miracle of the impossible becomes possible again. The hand of God never let's go of us. No matter how many times we doubt His existence and when hope becomes imaginary or a myth. Human weakness is shared by all of us, no matter how godly the spiritual life we lead or how much wisdom we possess. We all fall and hit the ground every now and then, but the important thing is not how or why we fell, but how we rise up again. By persevering and trusting the only One who can ...Thu, 06 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/2300/st-josephman-of-stillness What makes a good man? How does the Holy Bible illustrate and exemplify a TRULY good man? As the celebration of the holy birth of our Lord Jesus Christ approaches, it focuses our attention onto one and only one- particular adult man, St. Joseph. St. Joseph was a Jewish man of full maturity. He was a man who dwelled peacefully in Nazareth. The Holy Bible records very few details about his history of life upon earth. Yet, we can be assured that the man chosen to be engaged to St. Mary, and the only man identified by name present at the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ was a chosen representative of his gender. He would willingly come to serve as our Lord Jesus Christ's earthly adoptive, and legal father as directed by the angel of the Lord. This was the supreme embodiment of an earthly good man. An example to us all of a truly good man. What can we comprehend regarding the mental and moral characteristics of St. Joseph? St. Joseph was foremost a man of stillness. He is made known to us in the very few Holy Bible verses written of him ...Sat, 04 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/2280/gratitudean-appreciative-heart "And Mary said, My soul MAGNIFIES the Lord, and my spirit hath REJOICED in God my Saviour. For He has REGARDED the lowly state of His maidservant: for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done GREAT things for me, and holy is His name." (Luke 1:46-49) St. Mary sang these beautiful Holy Biblical verses to the Lord in response to Elizabeth's proclamation to her. Elizabeth proclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Luke 1:42). Overwhelmed with gratitude when foretold that she was to give birth to our Savior, St. Mary glorifies and rejoices in God with an appreciative heart. Her very first thought and words are to praise the Lord. St. Mary, a young girl full of gratitude and appreciation, was chosen to be the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. She was not selectively spoken to by the Angel of the Lord for her royal lineage, her business acumen or her monetary status. St. Mary loved the Lord, praised Him, glorified Him, and was filled with gratitude. This angel succinctly sought out and explained to St. Mary ...Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/2096/believe-nativity-feast-2023-message My Beloved, I wish you a joyous Nativity Feast and blessed New Year. On this holy night, the entire world is called to believe. The incarnation of the Word of God fulfilled promises and prophecies. The beginning of healing and dissolving the estranged relationship between heaven and earth began with the nativity of the Lord Jesus. The true worship of God begins with the birth of Christ the King and Savior of the world. “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, ‘God with us,’” (Matthew 1:23). Believing is the first step but not the only one. Believing must last a lifetime. Believing does not equate to a life without challenges, but an assurance that God is with us and ever present in our lives. Thus, all challenges can be managed: “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37). Believing in God is not based on words but a joyful and growing relationship with Him. St. Joseph, the righteous man, had legitimate concerns regarding St. Mary, but was assured in a dream and believed: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid ...Sat, 07 Jan 2023 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/2023/thoughts-on-paschaHoly week is the most sacred time of the church year. But that does not mean it was made only for holy people. The holy seasons of the year were made for sinners—sinners who want to live better—like me and you. Pascha, this very special week, is designed for the downcast, the anxious, and the troubled. Christ was the holiest man on earth when he came, but he barely spent any time with holy people. In fact, when he went to dine with the “holy,” they treated him with the utmost impoliteness. Instead, his desire and joy was to mingle with the sinners. He looked for the harlot, the tax collector, the thief, the leper, the disabled, and the blind. In other words, he looked for those individuals in whom both society and religion were not interested. What else is holy week but spending the most intimate time with Christ? Jesus Christ today is not asking how many virtues you have. He is not asking how perfect was your fast. He is not asking how immaculate were your prayers. He is only asking, where are you? He is simply seeking your heart. I would ...Mon, 18 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/1990/the-greatest-news My Beloved Children, The Lord is born! Let us glorify Him! I wish you all the happiness and blessings of the Nativity Feast and a healthy and prosperous new year. Let us rejoice and celebrate together the glorious birth of the Lord Jesus Christ who bowed the heavens and emptied Himself to come to us, to live among us, and to save us. As the apostle Jude exhorted the believers with this greeting, "Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you," (Jude 1:2), I also extend the same to each of you. Declaring the incarnation of the Logos cannot be mingled with negativity and hostility toward one another. Heaven and earth are reconciled. Peace on earth begins with each person, one by one. Reconciliation scorches demons because they cannot understand forgiveness since it requires humility. Thus, set your pride aside that you may proclaim the greatest news. It seems we conveniently forget that the Lord Jesus gave us the commandment of love (cf. John 13:34). This was not merely a suggestion, a theory, a request, or a hypothetical possibility. It is a commandment with no contingencies. "Therefore if you bring your gift to ...Thu, 06 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/1971/bless-me-o-lord-the-spiritual-meaning-of-tithing We have heard and read the words, "The Lord loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). We have heard the unique title, "A man after God's own heart,” a phrase coined to describe the Prophet David because of his zeal to build God's house (1 Samuel 13:14). We can understand the power of love for God from this humble king, psalmist, and prophet because he desired to build God's house. Before him, our father Abraham set the perfect example by offering his tithes to Melchizedek, "the priest of God Most High" (Genesis 14:18). We read about God's generosity and the only time in the Holy Scripture, which is recorded in Malachi 3:10, when He challenged us to try Him by giving our tithing for which He promised His abundant blessings to pour upon those who provide for His house. All our churches combined comprise the house of God, but each of us has a special responsibility to care for our distinct portion of the house of God. The church that you attend regularly and is serving you is your personal responsibility. The church serving you is the light of your entire community. It is where the ...Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/1857/god-is-just Many question how God could send someone to be tortured in hell for eternity. Even the worst people on earth, do they really deserve an eternal punishment, especially considering that it is described as extremely painful? It is not the notion of punishment for sins without repentance that are questioned. What these people do not understand is why it is an eternal punishment. It seems very extreme to punish one for all eternity. "Just trust in God" sounds like a non-answer to some. Surely, God is not a God of confusion. Even if people cannot fully comprehend heaven or hell, they struggle to make reasonable sense of these matters. Some propose that limited punishment would be more rational. Even if a man spent his whole life of eighty, ninety, one hundred or more years resisting God, does he deserve eternal punishment in hell? Humans designed a justice system where criminals are punished, but not unreasonably or in an unusually cruel way. Most people would be against punishing criminals to death by setting them on fire even for a few minutes. Thus, they cannot comprehend that God would allow someone to spend all eternity burning in hell or ...Thu, 10 Sep 2020 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/1778/a-season-of-celebration-the-joyous-nativity-feast It is my pleasure to wish you a very joyous and blessed Nativity Feast. The nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ is a special time of immense, cheerful, and devout celebration. It is embodied in expectancy, hope, and deliverance. The world expected a Savior, hoped for peace, and yearned for deliverance. The prophets and patriarchs of the Holy Scripture encouraged the believers to expect the Messiah. They lived and died in the hope of the joy of His incarnation. Satan tried to deter our exultation by the evils of Herod and the inns that refused to welcome Him. Thus, on this glorious feast, we joyfully welcome the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts, our lives, our homes, our gatherings, and into all that we are and have and do. From the annunciation of the forerunner until the nativity of Christ, the Church chants joyful tunes and praises. The four Sundays preceding the birth of Christ are all read from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke: The Annunciation of the Birth of St. John the Baptist—the Forerunner (Luke 1:1–25); The Annunciation of the Birth of Christ the Savior (Luke: 1:26–38); The Visitation of St. Mary to St. ...Sat, 11 Jan 2020 12:00:00 +0000