Tikimt 21 — October 31

A Happy Feast of Our Lady Mary

Today is a special day for Saint Mary, the mother of Jesus. Every month the Church stops to remember her and to say thank you to God for her. On Tikimt 21, we celebrate her with songs and gladness.

Mary loved God with her whole heart, and God chose her to be the mother of Jesus, His Son. She is gentle and kind, and she takes care of God's children like a loving mother. We call her "our Lady" because we honor her so very much.

The old prayer for today calls her a beautiful garden, full of sweet-smelling flowers. It also says the "Sun of Righteousness" rose on her. That Sun is Jesus, the light who brings warmth and goodness to the whole world. When we are happy and when we are sad, we can ask Mary to pray for us, and she gladly does.

Greetings to you, O Mary, on whom the Sun of Righteousness rose; greetings to you, O garden of sweet-smelling flowers.

Saint Lazarus, the Friend of Jesus

Today we also remember Saint Lazarus, a dear friend of our Lord Jesus. In the Bible, Lazarus became sick and died, and his sisters were very sad. But Jesus came to his tomb, called out his name, and Lazarus came back to life. Everyone there could see how mighty and loving Jesus is.

Many, many years later, the people wanted to take good care of the body of this holy friend of Jesus. A kind Christian emperor heard the story of Lazarus while he was on an island called Cyprus. He found where Lazarus was buried, in a strong stone resting place.

On the stone, written in shining gold letters, were these words: "This is the body of Saint Lazarus, the friend of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead." When they read it, their hearts filled with joy.

They carried Lazarus to a big city with singing, prayers, and sweet incense to welcome him. The priests met him with great honor, and they built a beautiful church for him. Then they held a happy feast to thank God.

This is the body of Saint Lazarus, the friend of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom He raised from the dead.— the golden words on the stone

Abba John, the Gentle Archbishop

Abba John was a holy father who grew up in a family that loved God in the city of Cairo. From the time he was little, his parents taught him about Jesus, and he grew up kind and good.

When he was older, he became a deacon and then a priest, both helpers who serve God in church, and he did his work carefully and well. He loved to pray and to fast, and he was always gentle with travelers and strangers who needed help.

Because he was so good and holy, God chose him to be the archbishop of the holy city of Jerusalem, the leader who cares for all its churches. The people loved him dearly. They said his face was bright and kind, like the face of an angel.

One day a king far away asked Abba John to make a long, important journey to the land of Ethiopia. The good king of Ethiopia was so happy to meet him. He sent soldiers with gifts to welcome him, and he loved listening to Abba John's prayers. After a while, Abba John grew old, and God gently called him home to heaven to rest in peace with the Lord he loved.

Joel the Prophet

Today we remember Joel, one of God's prophets. A prophet is someone who listens to God and tells the people His words. Joel lived a very, very long time ago, more than a thousand years before Jesus was born.

Joel taught the people to love God and to do what is right. God let him see things that would happen far in the future. Joel told everyone that one day God would pour out His Holy Spirit on people: on grown-ups and children, men and women alike. That came true when the Holy Spirit came to Jesus' apostles.

Joel also promised that fresh, living water would flow out from God's house to make the dry land green and full of life. That water is like God's love and goodness spreading everywhere.

Joel was a good and righteous man. He pleased God, lived to a happy old age, and died in peace.

I will pour out My Spirit upon all people.— Joel 2:28

Mary Rescues Matthias from Prison

On this happy day, Our Lady Mary helped a man in trouble. His name was Matthias, and he was locked away in a prison with no one strong enough to free him.

But Mary, the loving mother who watches over God's children, came to him. Through her prayers and God's great power, the prison doors opened and Matthias went free. How happy he must have been.

This shows us that Mary cares about everyone, even when they feel trapped or afraid. When we are stuck or scared, we can always ask God for help, and we can ask Mary to pray for us too. God hears, and God answers.