Sene 29 — July 06

Remembering Our Lord Jesus Christ

On the 29th day of every month, we stop to remember our Lord Jesus Christ in a special way. Today is one of those happy days.

Jesus loves you more than you can ever imagine. He made the sky and the stars, and He also became a little baby who grew up just like you. He is gentle and kind, and He is always near, even when we cannot see Him.

When the saints in today's stories were tired or scared, Jesus came close to help them, and He does the same for us. We can talk to Him any time, and He always listens. That is why this day fills our hearts with thanks.

Jesus said, "I am with you always."— Matthew 28:20

The Brave Friends of Debre Tona

Long ago, nine good men lived together at a quiet prayer-home called Debre Tona. A prayer-home, or monastery, is a place where people pray to God together. Their names were Abba Basadi, Abba Cotolus, Abba Ardama, Abba Muse, Abba Esey, Abba Nikales, Abba Kal, Abba Basodisa, and one more named Cotolus. They were priests who helped people pray.

One day an angel of God came to them. The angel told them to be brave and to tell everyone the good news about Jesus. So they set off, sailing a ship across the water, ready to share their faith.

A powerful ruler did not want them to talk about Jesus. He was unkind to them and put them in prison. But here is the beautiful part: our Lord Jesus Christ came to them right there in the prison. He made them strong and brave, and they were not afraid anymore.

When other people saw how loving and faithful these men were, one hundred and thirty of them decided to love Jesus too. In the end, the nine friends stayed true to God their whole lives, and the Bible promises that faithful people like them live forever with God in heaven. We call such faithful friends of God martyrs, because they stay true to God no matter what.

Proclaim boldly our Lord Jesus Christ.— the angel's words to the nine friends

Abba Hor, Abba Besoi, and Their Loving Mother

Today we also remember a brave brother named Abba Hor, his brother Abba Besoi, and their kind mother. Abba Hor was a soldier. He loved Jesus with all his heart and was not ashamed to say so.

A ruler was unkind to Abba Hor because he would not stop loving Jesus. But when Abba Hor called out for help, our Lord Jesus Christ came down and gave him strength, like a friend who never lets go of your hand.

His mother came to visit him, and instead of being sad, she was happy and proud of how faithful her son was. She loved God so much that she sang joyful songs to Him even when things were hard. Abba Hor, his brother Abba Besoi, and their brave mother all stayed faithful to God to the very end.

A whole family who loved God together: that is a truly beautiful thing to remember. They all went home to be with God in heaven, where there is no more pain, only joy.

O Jesus Christ, help me in all this trouble.— Abba Hor's prayer

Mark, the Emperor Who Chose God

Mark was once the emperor of Rome, a great king over many people. He was a good and fair ruler who cared for everyone justly for five years.

But more than anything, Mark wanted to spend his life close to God. One night he went into the church and prayed in front of a holy picture of Saint Mary, asking God to show him the right path. He felt God's peace fill his heart.

So Mark left his crown behind and went to live in a faraway quiet place called Debre Tormak. There he prayed to God for many, many years. He spent his days fighting off bad thoughts with prayer, and God always helped him win, because God is stronger than anything.

When Mark's long life on earth was over, the angels themselves came to lay him to rest, singing songs of praise. Imagine that: a king who became one of God's quiet helpers, welcomed home by angels.

O my Lady, guide me in the way I should walk.— Mark's prayer in the church

Theodore, the Son of King David of Ethiopia

Last of all, we remember Theodore, the son of King David of Ethiopia. From the time he was a little boy, Theodore learned all the holy books of the Church, and he grew up wise and strong.

Theodore loved God so much that he gave away his things to people who were poor and to those who were begging. He visited the churches, he prayed, and he was always fair and gentle. He never hurt or cheated anyone. He grew into a strong young man who could ride horses well, but his greatest strength was his kind and faithful heart.

When Theodore died, something remarkable happened. As his friends carried him through the cold winter, the waters of a full, rushing river split open and made a path on each side, just like a story from the Bible. And at the place where they laid him to rest, a fresh spring of water bubbled up out of the ground. People say that spring still flows today.

With sparkling water and a parted river, God showed everyone just how much He loved His faithful friend Theodore.