Ginbot 23 — May 31

Saint Julian the Apostle

Today we remember Saint Julian, one of God's faithful helpers. He came from the family of a man named Gabriel, among the people of Israel.

Jesus chose Julian to be one of His seventy-two disciples, students who followed Him closely to learn from Him and to carry His good news. Julian also received the gift of the Holy Spirit, just as the apostles, Jesus' closest sent-out helpers, did.

Julian traveled and taught people about God, even when it was hard and some people were unkind to him. He was brave and kept going. Later the apostles made him a bishop, a church leader who tenderly cares for God's people, and sent him to tell the good news of God's kingdom from city to city.

Julian had a dear friend named Andronicus, and the two preached together. When Andronicus died, Julian laid his friend gently to rest. Then Julian prayed a beautiful prayer. He asked God to keep the two friends together. The very next day, God called Julian home to heaven too, so the friends would not be apart. Saint Paul even wrote both their names in a letter in the Bible, sending them his greetings.

Greet Andronicus and Julian.— Romans 16:7

Friends of God Remembered Today

On this day we also remember many other people who loved God with all their hearts. Their names are Ensia, Aphroditus (who was also one of the seventy-two disciples Jesus chose), Julia, Theodore the priest, and Tadros the bishop.

A priest is a helper in the church who leads prayers and teaches people about God. Every one of these friends of God stayed faithful to Him their whole lives. We thank God for them, and we ask them to pray for us.

Julianus and His Mother

We also remember a man named Julianus and his loving mother. They lived in the great city of Alexandria long ago, in a time when it was very dangerous to follow Jesus.

A ruler did not want people to believe in God. But Julianus and his mother would not stop loving Jesus, no matter what. They held on to their faith right to the very end and gave their lives rather than let go of Him, and so they went home to be with God in heaven. We call brave people like this martyrs. They were not afraid, because they knew God was waiting for them with open arms.

The Brave Little Child Who Spoke

Today we remember the friends of a faithful woman named Isidore. Among them was another mother with her tiny baby, who was only two months old.

Here is the part that takes your breath away. When the family was in danger because they loved Jesus, that little baby, far too young even to talk, suddenly spoke out loud. The baby said it belonged to Jesus, just like its mother.

These faithful friends went home to be with God, trusting Him with everything. God can do anything at all. He can even put words in a tiny baby's mouth to speak about His love. That reminds us that no one is ever too small to belong to God.

I am a Christian, like my mother.— the little child