Tikimt 7 — October 17

Abba Pawli, Who Loved God So Much

Today we remember a holy father named Abba Pawli (say it like "PAW-lee"). He lived in a faraway place in Upper Egypt called Debra 'Ensena. When he was still young, he became a monk, giving his whole heart to God and filling his days with prayer.

Abba Pawli had a kind friend and student named Ezekiel who stayed close to him. Ezekiel saw how much his teacher loved God, and he remembered all the good and brave things Abba Pawli did.

Abba Pawli loved Jesus so very much that he wanted to give God everything he had, even his own life. He was not afraid of dying, because he trusted God completely. And here is the wonderful part: every single time, God showed His great power and brought Abba Pawli back to life again. Each time he came back, he was even braver and loved God even more.

One day our Lord Jesus came to Abba Pawli and spoke to him gently, like a loving father. Jesus asked if he had worked hard enough now. But Abba Pawli only wanted to keep going for God.

This story shows us how big and strong love for God can be. God saw Abba Pawli's brave heart and was very pleased with him.

Leave me, O my Lord, to work for Your holy name, just as You worked for all the children of men.— Abba Pawli

Abba Pawli and Abba Besoy Stay Together

There was another holy man named Abba Besoy, who came to visit Debra 'Ensena. There he met Abba Pawli, and the two became friends in God.

Our Lord Jesus told Abba Pawli something special: one day his body would rest beside the body of his friend Abba Besoy. And that is exactly what happened. When Abba Pawli died and went home to God, his friends laid him to rest next to Abba Besoy, just as Jesus had said.

Later, some people wanted to carry Abba Besoy's body to a faraway monastery by boat. But when they tried to leave Abba Pawli behind, the boat would not move at all! As soon as they brought Abba Pawli too, and laid the two friends side by side, the boat began to sail. It carried them safely to the monastery, where the two friends still rest together to this day.

What a happy ending! It is a sweet picture of how friends who love God stay together, even forever.

Brave Friends of God: Minas, Hasina, Cyprian, and Justina

On this day we also remember four brave people who loved God: Minas, Hasina, Cyprian, and Justina.

They were martyrs, friends of God who gave their lives rather than turn away from Him. Long ago, unkind people tried to make them stop loving Jesus, but they would not. They kept God in their hearts no matter what.

They were not afraid, because they knew God was with them and that He was bringing them home to heaven. Today we thank God for their brave hearts, and we ask these holy friends to pray for us too.