The First Sunday of the Coptic month of Kiahk

The annunciation of the birth of St. John the Baptist (the son of the promise), and the comparison between the righteous works in the Old Testament and the righteousness of the faith in Christ in the New Testament.

The readings of the first Sunday of the Coptic month of Kiahk present humanity that awaits God’s promises in patience with a strong desire for salvation, “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death…” Despite the difficulties, humanity is honest in its service to God, loyal in its love – humanity presented an, “…alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard” and “…she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” Despite all the suffering and waiting, humanity adhered to the faith, “Now the just shall live by faith”. “…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Zachariah the priest and his wife Elizabeth represent humanity as it awaits the redemption of the Lord, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come. For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.”