Ginbot 16 — May 24

Sirak, Who Loved Wisdom

Today we remember a wise man named Jesus Sirak (you can say it SEE-rak), who lived long ago in the city of Jerusalem. He loved God very much, and God gave him a special gift: wisdom, which means knowing what is good and true and then choosing it.

Sirak liked to think about all the things God made. He looked at the bright sun and the gentle moon, the twinkling stars, the falling snow, and the rainbow in the sky. He wrote that every one of these is a gift from God, made just the way God wanted.

Sirak also wrote a book to remind us of God's friends from long ago. He told about Noah, who trusted God and built the big boat; Abraham, who believed God's promises; Moses, who led God's people; and young David, who was brave. He told about Elijah, who was carried up to heaven, and about Joseph, who forgave his brothers. Sirak wanted children to know that God has always taken care of His people.

At the very end of his book, Sirak thanked God with all his heart. Then this good man died and went home to God. We thank God for Sirak, who shared so much of what he knew with us.

Bless the God of All, Who does great things everywhere, and Who makes our days long.— Sirak

I have seen God's rainbow, and have blessed its Maker; it is beautiful.— Sirak

Saint John the Evangelist

We also remember Saint John, one of Jesus' twelve closest helpers. John is called an evangelist, which means someone who tells the Good News about Jesus.

John traveled to many cities to teach people about God. Some of them had been praying to statues instead of God, and John helped them stop and showed them how much God loves them. God worked through John, and even kept him safe when he was in danger out on the sea.

When John grew old, he wrote one of the four Gospels, the special books that tell us the story of Jesus. The Holy Spirit helped John remember things the other writers had not written down. John told us that Jesus is the Son of God, and that Jesus did so many miracles that you could never count them all.

God also let John see heaven, with all its angels singing praises. John wrote about it in a book of his own. He spent his whole life telling people the Good News, and he loved to live simply, close to people who were poor. We thank God for gentle Saint John.

John told the world that Jesus is the Son of God, and that Jesus did more wonderful things than anyone could ever count.

The Faithful Bishops and Yemen

On this day we also remember some bishops who loved God. A bishop is a church leader who takes care of God's people. These brave bishops stayed faithful all the way to the end of their lives, and they kept loving God even when it was very hard, so we call them martyrs. They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to God.

We remember a man named Yemen as well, and a holy person called Newaya Krestos, whose name means "the gift of Christ." We ask all these friends of God to pray for us, and we thank God for keeping His people brave and faithful.