Megabit 16 — March 25

Abba Michael, the Shepherd God Chose

Today we remember a good and gentle father named Abba Michael. He lived a long time ago in a quiet desert place called Scete, where he prayed every day in the church of Saint Abba Macarius. As a monk, he had given himself to a simple life of prayer, loving God with his whole heart. He worked hard at praying and being kind, and everyone could see how much he loved God.

When the old church leader of the great city of Alexandria died, the other church fathers needed to choose a new archbishop, the shepherd who takes care of many churches and many people. They sat together for many days, wondering who would be best. Then a holy man told them what he had heard. While he was praying, a voice from heaven had said that Michael was the one God had chosen!

So they brought Abba Michael from his quiet home and made him archbishop. There was a happy sign from God that very day. The land had not had good rain for a long time, but on the day Michael became archbishop, a soft, lovely rain came down, and more rain followed after. It was God's gentle way of saying, "This is the right shepherd for My people."

Michael is worthy, and he is the man who is suitable for the office.— the voice from heaven

Helping People Believe Together

Being a leader was not always easy. In Abba Michael's time, many of God's people were having a hard time, and this made his kind heart very sad. But Abba Michael never stopped trusting God, and slowly God made things better again.

Abba Michael was also good at helping people understand the truth about Jesus. Another church leader named Cosmas was not sure about something, so Abba Michael talked with him gently and patiently. He helped Cosmas understand that our Lord Jesus is truly one, fully God and fully man, together as one. Cosmas was so glad that he wrote it down with his own hand, and they became friends in the same faith. Abba Michael helped people stop arguing and believe together in peace.

How God Kept Abba Michael Safe

Some powerful rulers were unkind to Abba Michael and even put him in prison for a while. But Abba Michael was brave, because he knew God was always with him. He prayed and stayed faithful, and God took care of him every step of the way.

Even during this hard time, good things still came through Abba Michael. He traveled to a place called Upper Egypt, where he prayed for people, and many of them came back to loving Jesus with all their hearts. He kept doing good wherever he went.

Far away, the King of Ethiopia heard that this good father was being treated unkindly. The king cared so much that he came with a great company to stand up for Abba Michael. When the rulers in Egypt saw this, they let Abba Michael out of prison and gave him great honor, and they were kind to all of God's people too. Then Abba Michael, with a thankful heart, wrote a gentle letter asking the King of Ethiopia to go home in peace. He blessed the king and thanked him for caring so much.

When Abba Michael had finished all his good work, he went home to be with the God he loved so much. What a happy ending for a faithful shepherd!

Behold God hath delivered us from the bonds of captivity through thee. And now return to thy country in safety and peace.— Abba Michael's letter to the King of Ethiopia