Ginbot 20 — May 28

Caleb, the King Who Loved God

Long ago there was a good king of Ethiopia named Caleb. He loved God with all his heart, and he tried to do what was right.

One day King Caleb heard sad news. Far away, in a city called Nagran, some people who hated Christians had hurt them very badly. King Caleb felt great sorrow. He wanted to help God's people who were in danger.

So the king did something surprising. He took off his beautiful royal clothes and put on plain, ragged ones instead. Then he went to the church and prayed. He asked God to be his strength and to keep him from being afraid.

King Caleb went out and rescued the Christians who were in trouble, and God gave him the strength to win. Then he came home full of joy, thanking God for all His help.

After this, King Caleb thought, "How can I ever thank God enough?" He decided to give God the best gift he had: his whole life. So he left his kingdom and went to live in a quiet monastery on top of a mountain, a calm home where people pray together. He kept things simple. He had only a mat to sleep on, plain bread and water, and long hours to pray.

He even sent his royal crown all the way to Jerusalem, asking that it be hung above the tomb of Jesus, as a gift. Caleb prayed quietly for the rest of his life and then died in peace, close to God.

How can I ever thank God enough? I will give Him my whole life.— King Caleb

Abba Ammonius and His Friend Sadji

Abba Ammonius was a holy man who lived in a place called Dabra Tona. When he was young, he had a dream in which the great Saint Anthony invited him to become a monk, a man who gives his whole life to praying for God. As soon as he woke up, he went and began that quiet life of prayer.

Abba Ammonius prayed every day and every night. An evil spirit did not like this and tried to trick him and scare him. But Abba Ammonius just kept praying. God is always stronger than anything evil, so the spirit had to give up and leave.

Then something beautiful happened. A young woman came to Abba Ammonius, and at first her heart was not turned toward God. He gently told her about God's love and the joy God gives to people who follow Him. God opened her heart, and she decided to change her whole life and follow Him too.

She became a holy nun, a woman who lives her days in prayer. Abba Ammonius gave her a new name, Sadji, which means "the gentle one." She prayed so often, and loved God so deeply, that everyone who knew her could see it.

One day some other holy fathers came to visit. They found Sadji standing inside a hot oven, not hurt at all, her hands lifted up to heaven in prayer. God was keeping her safe. Everyone praised God for what they saw. Soon after, Sadji went home to God in peace, and a little while later, Abba Ammonius did too. They had spent eighteen quiet years living for God.

He gave her a new name, Sadji, which means "the gentle one."

Abba Hor, Abba Darama, and the Faithful Friends

This day brings to mind some other friends of God. Abba Hor was a follower of Abba Ammonius, and he learned from him how to pray and live for God. A holy man named Abba Darama is remembered now too.

We also think of a group of brave believers who stayed faithful to God no matter what, along with a man named Zacharias from the city of Antioch. They loved God so much that they never gave up on Him, even when it was hard. Now they are safe and happy with God forever.

Another holy man, Abba Amoni, spent forty years praying and living simply for God. He loved Mary, the mother of Jesus, very much, and we are told she even appeared to comfort him. What a kind gift from God.

Abba Batra Wangel, the Gentle Shepherd

The last friend of God we honor today is Abba Batra Wangel. He was the abbot, the father who watches over all the monks, at a famous monastery named Dabra Libanos.

Even as a small child, Abba Batra Wangel was kind and innocent, like the angels. He loved to be humble and gentle, and he was never proud. When he grew up and became a monk, he tried his best to please God in everything he did.

Because he was so good and caring, he was chosen to be a shepherd for God's people. Not a shepherd of sheep, but one who watches over people and helps them grow close to God. He cared for everyone with a full and tender heart.

Abba Batra Wangel lived a long, good life, and then he died in peace, on this very day long ago. He showed us that staying humble and gentle is a lovely way to love God.