Pagumen 4 — September 09

Abba Benjamin and His Six Brothers

Today we remember a holy man named Abba Benjamin. People also called him Baymon (say it: BAY-mon). He grew up in the big city of Cairo, in a family with seven brothers. Their names were John, Job, Joseph, Basil, Baymon, Jacob, and Abraham.

When the brothers grew up, all seven of them decided to become monks, which means they would live quiet lives given over to prayer. They moved far away from the busy city to a calm desert place called Scete, so they could pray to God all day long.

One day their mother missed them so much that she came to visit. The brothers loved her dearly, but they had promised God to live apart from everyone, even their own family. So they sent her a tender message: they hoped to see her again one day in heaven, where families are together forever with God. She understood, and she went home in peace.

Abba Benjamin grew very wise. Whenever another monk felt sad or worried or afraid, Benjamin would sit and talk gently with him until his heart felt lighter. He taught a lesson worth remembering: when someone makes a mistake, do not give up on them. Help them get back up.

He even said we should be extra kind to people who are struggling, the way a doctor gives the most care to whoever is most sick. Benjamin lived a long, good life full of prayer, and at last he went home to God in peace.

If you see a brother who has stumbled, do not give up on him. Cheer up his heart, and help him rise again.— Abba Benjamin

If we cover over the mistakes of others, God will cover over ours.— Abba Benjamin

Abba Liberius, the Brave Bishop of Rome

We also remember Abba Liberius, a church father who lived in the great city of Rome. He was an archbishop, a leader who takes care of many churches.

In those days, two other good church leaders, Athanasius and Paul, had been pushed out of their own cities by people who treated them unfairly. They came to Liberius for help. Liberius was kind. He spoke up for them and wrote letters to the emperor, and his help got the two leaders their churches back.

Later, a powerful emperor wanted Liberius to do something wrong. He asked Liberius to push the good bishop Athanasius out again, and he promised Liberius lots of gifts if he would agree. But Liberius loved God more than any gift, so he said no.

Because Liberius would not do the wrong thing, the emperor sent him far away from home for a while. It was hard and lonely, but Liberius stayed brave and kept doing what was right even when it hurt.

After a while, the church leaders of Rome asked for Liberius to come back, and he returned to his church with great joy. He kept teaching his people to hold tight to the true faith, and he served God faithfully until he went home to heaven.