Meskerem 12 — September 22

Michael the Archangel and the King Who Got Well

Today we remember the glorious Michael the archangel, one of the great angels who stand closest to God. God loves to send His kind angels to help people.

Long ago there was a king named Hezekiah who was very, very sick. He prayed and prayed to God for help. God heard him, and He sent the angel Michael to a holy man named Isaiah, a prophet God chose to carry His messages to the people.

God gave Isaiah good news to carry to the king: "You are going to get well!" And it was true. God made Hezekiah strong and healthy again, and He gave the king fifteen more years to live. What a gift, fifteen whole years!

This story reminds us that God always hears us when we pray. When something is hard, we can talk to God, and He cares for us — sometimes even sending His angels to help.

God heard the king's prayer and made him well, and gave him fifteen more years to live.

The Big Meeting in Ephesus

On this day, a long time ago, two hundred bishops met together in a city named Ephesus. Bishops are the leaders who watch over many churches. A big, important meeting like this is called a Council.

The bishops met to make something clear that some people had begun to get confused about. They wanted everyone to remember the truth: that baby Jesus, who was born of the holy Virgin Mary, is truly God who became a little child for us. He is God and man at the same time.

To help, the bishops read words from the Bible. The angel Gabriel had told Mary that her child would be holy and would be called the Son of God. And long before that, the prophet Isaiah had promised that a young woman would have a special baby named Emmanuel, which means "God is with us."

When the meeting was finished, all the bishops agreed and wrote it down so that everyone, even children like you, would always know the happy truth. We give thanks to God for keeping His Church safe in what is true.

Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and she shall bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel.— Isaiah 7:14

Saint 'Aflahos and His Friends

We also remember a brave saint named 'Aflahos and the faithful friends who stood with him. They loved God so much that they stayed true to Him no matter what, even when it cost them their lives. People who do that are called martyrs.

On this day, their bodies were carried with great love and honor to the city of Alexandria, so that people could remember them and thank God for their courage. They were not afraid, because they knew they were going home to be with God forever.

We can learn from 'Aflahos and his friends to be brave and to keep loving God, even on days that feel difficult.

Luras and Galanicus, Faithful Friends of God

We also remember two more brave saints today, named Luras and Galanicus. Like 'Aflahos, they loved God with all their hearts and stayed faithful to Him to the very end.

They are remembered as martyrs too. Even though things were hard for them, they trusted God and were not afraid. God welcomed them home to heaven, where there is no more sadness, only joy. We thank God for their faith and for their good example.

Joachim and Hanna, the Grandparents of Jesus

On this day we lovingly remember Joachim and Hanna. (Hanna is sometimes called Anna.) They were the mother and father of the holy Virgin Mary — which means they were the grandparents of our Lord Jesus!

Joachim and Hanna waited a long, long time and prayed for a child. They trusted God and never stopped hoping. God answered their prayers and gave them a daughter, Mary, who would become the mother of Jesus.

Their story shows us how good it is to keep praying and trusting God, even when we have to wait. God has wonderful plans for those who love Him.

A Feast for Saint Stephen in Rome

Far away in the city of Rome, people also have a happy feast today to honor Saint Stephen. Stephen was one of the very first people to serve the early Church, helping take care of those who were poor and hungry.

He loved Jesus so much that he stayed faithful all the way to the end of his life, and he became the first martyr of the Church. Even at the hardest moment, Stephen forgave and looked up to heaven, where he saw God's glory shining. We thank God for Stephen's kind and brave heart.