Ginbot 25 — June 02

Saint Salome, Who Helped Care for Baby Jesus

Today we remember Saint Salome. She was a cousin of our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. Salome grew up in the same home with Mary, and the two of them were very close, like sisters.

When Jesus was born, Salome was right there to help. She was so glad to see the new baby. At first, kind old Joseph wondered how Mary could be a mother and still a pure virgin. Then God gave a special sign to show that this baby was truly God's Son. A little flame touched Salome's hand, but the moment she touched the holy Child, her hand was healed and felt perfectly fine again. The sign helped Joseph understand that Mary was the God-bearer, the mother chosen to carry God's own Son.

When a jealous king named Herod tried to find the baby, Salome helped Mary, Joseph, and Jesus hurry away safely to another country. For all of Jesus' life, Salome stayed near. She sometimes carried Him in her arms when He was small, and helped take care of Him.

Salome did not leave Jesus, even on the very sad day when He suffered on the cross. And she was one of the first people to see Him alive again on the happy morning of His Resurrection, even before His apostles saw Him. Later, God's Holy Spirit came to her, and she went and told crowds of people the good news: Jesus loves us and saves us.

On the morning Jesus rose from the dead, Salome saw Him alive — even before His apostles did.

Saint Cotylus, the Doctor Who Healed for Free

Saint Cotylus came from a family that loved God. His mother and father had prayed for a long time for a child, and God gave them this dear son. They taught him the holy books of the Church, and from the time he was little, Cotylus loved to pray.

When he grew up, Cotylus learned to be a doctor. But he was not a doctor who wanted to get rich. He built a house where travelers could rest, and he took care of sick people for free, never asking them for any money. God healed many people through his gentle hands.

In those days a ruler did not want people to follow Jesus, and he was unkind to Christians. But Cotylus was brave. He stood up and said out loud that he believed in Jesus, and he would not bow to idols, the stone statues that people pretended were gods.

Cruel men hurt Cotylus because he would not stop loving Jesus, and at last he gave his life for Him, the way a true martyr does. All the while, an angel of God stayed close to comfort him, so Cotylus was not afraid. He knew he was going home to be with God forever. After he died, God brought healing to many people at the place where his body was kept.

He took care of sick people for free, because he loved God and loved people.

Abba Heroda, the Brave Soldier Whom an Angel Helped

Abba Heroda was a soldier who loved God with his whole heart. One quiet evening, as he lay on his bed thinking, he wished he could do something truly great for Jesus. He remembered Jesus' words about loving God more than anything else in the whole world.

While he was thinking, a visitor came: Saint Michael, God's great archangel, one of the very highest of all the angels. Michael said, "Do not be afraid. God has prepared a crown for you in heaven, and I will go with you." That made Heroda glad and brave.

Heroda went and told the ruler that he was a Christian. The ruler offered him money and honor if he would only pray to idols instead of God. But Heroda answered kindly and firmly that he would only worship the true God of heaven and earth.

Wicked men tried to hurt Heroda, but Saint Michael came down from heaven, touched him, and healed him, so he felt no pain. When the people watching saw this, five hundred of them began to believe in Jesus right then and there. Even Jesus Himself came to comfort Heroda, and He promised to bless everyone who would remember Heroda's story and be kind to people who are poor. Heroda was full of joy. He gave his life bravely for Jesus and went home to God, and later many sick people were healed at the place where his body rested. We remember, too, the many faithful people of that time who stayed true to God.

Do not be afraid, for God has prepared for you a crown and a throne of glory in heaven. I am Michael, and I will go with you.— Saint Michael the archangel

More Faithful Friends of God

On this day we also remember a group of holy people who all loved God: Saint Balanus, Saint Elantherius, Saint Romanus, and many other faithful friends with them.

We remember the Emperor Constantine too. He was a king who helped Christians be safe and free to worship God. With him we remember his mother, the kind Queen Helena, who searched until she found the holy cross of Jesus. They both did much good to help people learn about God's love.

It is nice to know we are never alone. So many of God's friends came before us, and we can ask them to pray for us.

Joseph's Rod That Grew Into Trees

Here is one more little wonder for today. Long ago there was a wooden walking-stick, a rod, that had belonged to Joseph.

On this day, our Lord planted small pieces of that rod in a place called Bisos. And what do you think happened? The little pieces took root and grew up into tall, living trees. It is a gentle reminder that God can bring new life out of the smallest things, and that nothing is too hard for Him.