Ginbot 18 — May 26

The Holy Spirit Comes to the Apostles

Before Jesus went up to heaven, He made His friends a promise. He told the apostles, His closest helpers, to wait in the city of Jerusalem. A special Helper would come to them, He said. This Helper is the Holy Spirit, God Himself, who comforts us and teaches us what is right.

So the apostles waited and prayed together. Ten days after Jesus went up to heaven, they heard a sound like a strong, rushing wind. A sweet smell filled the room, sweeter than anything they had ever known. Then little flames, like tongues of fire, came down and gently rested on each one of them. The fire did not hurt them at all. It was the Holy Spirit, filling their hearts with God's power.

Right away, the apostles could speak many different languages they had never learned. Visitors had come to Jerusalem from faraway lands, and each one heard the apostles talking in his very own language about the great things of God. The people could hardly believe their ears, and they asked, "How can this be?"

Then Saint Peter, the leader of the apostles, stood up and explained. He told everyone that this was God keeping His promise, pouring out His Spirit on His people, just as the prophets had said long ago. This special day is called Pentecost. It is a happy day, because God's Helper came to stay with His Church forever.

I will send unto you another Helper, who shall come from the Father.— the promise of Jesus

Abba Ga'argi and the Pillar of Light

We also remember a holy man named Abba Ga'argi (say it: gah-AR-gee). When he was a boy, he watched over his family's sheep in the fields. But deep in his heart he wanted to give his whole life to God and pray every day.

So one day he set off into the quiet desert. There he saw a tall pillar of light far away, like a shining road in the air. He followed it and followed it, until he reached a monastery, a peaceful home where people pray together.

Along the way, something tried to turn him back and make him afraid, telling him to give up. But Abba Ga'argi remembered Jesus' words and prayed, and the fear vanished like smoke. God's bright light came back and led him safely the rest of the way. An angel walked beside him, looking like a kind monk.

At the monastery, Abba Ga'argi prayed and loved God for many years. He met a good friend named Abba Abraham, and together they lived near a wise teacher. One night Jesus Himself came to visit them in their little room. He opened the roof, filled the room with light, and blessed them with peace before going back up to heaven. The two friends wrote many good books to help other people pray. Abba Ga'argi lived a long, happy life of seventy-two years, always close to God.

He forsook his father's flocks and followed a pillar of light into the desert.

Saint Sinoda

The Church also keeps the memory of Saint Sinoda (say it: see-NO-da). He loved Jesus with all his heart and would never stop telling people about Him, no matter what. Even when this was very hard and people were unkind to him, Sinoda stayed brave and faithful to God right to the end.

We call him a martyr. A martyr is someone who keeps loving God and never gives up, even when it costs them everything. Saint Sinoda was not afraid, because he knew that God was waiting to welcome him home to heaven. We thank God for his courage, and we ask him to pray for us so that we can be brave for Jesus too.