Miyazya 10 — April 18

Abba Isaac, Who Loved to Pray Quietly

Today we remember a holy man named Abba Isaac (say it: EYE-zik). When he was grown up, he chose to leave behind nice things and easy days so he could spend his whole life loving God. He went far away to a quiet desert place called Scete and became a monk, living a calm life of prayer among other monks who loved God too.

Abba Isaac learned from a wise teacher named Abba Eblo, and he helped his teacher kindly for twenty-five years. That is a very long time! He worked so hard at praying and doing good that his body grew thin and tired. But his heart stayed strong and full of God.

Abba Isaac loved quiet more than almost anything. During prayer time in church, he would stand gently with his head bowed, and happy tears would fill his eyes because he loved God so much. After prayer, he liked to be alone and still. Some people did not understand, so they asked him why he did not chat with everyone.

Abba Isaac gave a lovely answer. He said that when our hearts are warm and shining with prayer, it is like carrying a little candle. Carry a candle out into the wind, and the flame can blow out. He wanted to keep the warm light of prayer glowing in his heart, so he stayed quiet and peaceful. When his life on earth was over, he was not afraid. He rested gently and went home to God.

If a man carries a lighted lamp and stands in the wind, will not the light blow out? So it is with us when our hearts shine at the time of prayer.— Abba Isaac

Abba Gabriel, the Good Church Father

We also remember Abba Gabriel, a kind leader who watched over many churches. A leader like this is called an archbishop. When he was young, he came from a rich family, but he loved God and books even more than money. He was very smart, and he wrote and copied many holy books with his own hand so people could read God's word.

The wise old monks and teachers wanted to choose the very best person to lead them. A gentle, godly man named Abba Yosef helped them, and everyone agreed that Gabriel was the right one. So Gabriel became their archbishop and took loving care of God's people.

Abba Gabriel was fair and good. He made helpful rules, he chose many new church leaders to serve people, and he never took even one coin for himself. He was so honest that once, when a king demanded money from him, the people gladly gathered gold from their own homes to help him. That is how much they trusted him!

Here is a happy story from Abba Gabriel's time. Once the land of Ethiopia was having a very hard time. No rain fell, and the fields went dry. The people were sad. But the king turned back to God and was truly sorry, and Abba Gabriel sent a kind letter full of blessing to all the people of Ethiopia. As soon as that blessing arrived, God sent rain again. The dry land drank it up, food grew, and everyone was filled with great joy. When Abba Gabriel's own time came, holy priests and monks came to greet him in a dream, and he went peacefully home to God.

When that letter of blessing reached Ethiopia, God sent the rain, and the people rejoiced with great joy.