Tahsas 19 — December 28

Abba John, the Kind Bishop of Burles

Today we remember a good father named Abba John, the bishop of a city called Burles. A bishop is a leader who watches over many churches.

When John was young, his family was rich, but they loved to share with people who were poor. After his parents died, John used the money they left him to build a church and a guest house. Tired travelers and sick people could rest there, and John cared for them with his own hands.

One day a holy monk came to visit and told John how beautiful it is to live a simple life given over to prayer. So John gave the rest of his money to the poor and went out to the desert to live with a wise old teacher named Abba Daniel. There he prayed hard and learned to love God even more.

Sometimes evil spirits tried to trouble John and make him stop praying. But John kept trusting God, and our Lord Jesus made him strong and well again. God is always stronger than anything evil.

Later God made John a bishop. Some people were arguing and following teachers who told untrue stories about God. Gently and patiently, John helped many of them find the true faith again, like a farmer carefully pulling weeds so the good plants can grow.

John loved God so deeply that something special happened when he led the church prayers. As he stood at the holy table, his face would glow bright like a warm fire, and happy tears would roll down his cheeks, because he could see God's angels all around him.

When John was very old, God sent two famous saints, Abba Anthony and Abba Macarius, to tell him it was almost time to come home to heaven. So John gathered his people. He asked them to love one another and stay strong in their faith, and then he lay down and died in peace.

Salutation to John, who at the time of the holy prayers saw the angels of God all around him.

The Three Friends in the Fire

Today we also remember three brave young friends named Ananias, Azarias, and Misael. You may also know them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

A powerful king wanted everyone to bow down and worship a giant golden statue instead of the one true God. But these three friends loved God, and they would worship Him alone. So the angry king had them thrown into a roaring hot furnace, which is like a giant oven.

But God took care of them. The fire did not hurt them at all, not even one hair on their heads. God sent an angel to walk with them right inside the flames, and the three friends sang songs of praise. When the king looked in, he was astonished to see them safe and happy, and he thanked God for being so great.

Their story reminds us that God is with us, even in scary times, and He never leaves us alone.

Blessed are You, O Lord, and You are to be praised forever.— the song of the three friends

The Good News of Gabriel the Angel

Today is also a happy feast day for the angel Gabriel, one of God's special messengers.

Long ago, God sent Gabriel to a young woman named Mary with the best news in all the world. Gabriel told Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus, God's own Son.

Mary said yes to God with a glad and trusting heart. So today we say thank you to God, and we remember the joyful day when the good news of Jesus was first shared.