Tikimt 30 — November 09

Abraham, the Quiet Friend of God

Today we remember a holy man named Abraham, who loved to pray more than anything else. He grew up in a city called Manuf, in a family who loved God. They had lots of money, but Abraham wanted something better than money. He wanted to be close to God all the time.

When he was grown up, Abraham traveled far away to learn from a wise and famous teacher named Abba Pachomius (say it: pah-KOH-mee-us). Abba Pachomius gave him the simple clothes of a monk, someone who gives his whole life to quiet prayer. Abraham worked hard, prayed all day, and stayed with his teacher for twenty-three years.

Then Abraham asked to go live by himself in a little cave, so he could pray even more quietly. With his own hands he made fishing hooks to sell. A kind helper would sell them and bring back dried beans. Whatever money was left over, Abraham gave away to people who were poor. Each evening he ate only a handful of beans soaked in water with a little salt. He lived this simple, happy life for thirteen years, wearing the same old clothes until they turned to soft rags.

Sometimes scary thoughts and evil spirits tried to frighten Abraham in the dark. But he was never afraid. He just prayed, and God sent them away, the way a person shoos off barking dogs. God is always stronger than anything that tries to scare us.

When Abraham was very old and knew he would soon go home to God, he asked his friend Theodore to come and pray with him. They prayed together. Then Abraham lay down peacefully, looked toward the rising sun, and gave his soul gently to God. His friends carried him back home with great love and laid him to rest among the other saints.

When the evil spirits tried to scare him, Abraham only prayed, and God sent them away like a man shooing off dogs.

Salutation to Abraham, who dressed in rags and ate beans soaked in water.

More Friends of God We Remember Today

On this same day we also say hello and thank God for some other holy people. We remember Falibun and Kayna, and a brave man named Martes, and another named Mars. We do not know long stories about all of them, but God knows each one by name, and they all loved Him.

We also celebrate a wonderful day called the appearance of the head of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the special cousin of Jesus who told everyone, "Get ready, because Jesus is coming!" Long after John went to heaven, God let people find and honor a part of him, and it was a joyful day.

And we remember Isaac the King, a leader who loved God. We say a happy greeting to him: "Salutation to Isaac the King."

Goodbye to the Month of Tikimt

Today is the very last day of the month of Tikimt. As the month ends, we thank God for taking care of us every single day. We ask our holy Lady, the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, to pray for us, and we ask God to be kind and good to all His people.

Tomorrow a brand-new month begins. God is with us in the month that is ending and in the month that is coming, today and always.