Tir 10 — January 18

Ketera — Getting Ready for Timkat!

Today is a very special and happy day called Ketera. It is the joyful evening before Timkat. Timkat is the feast of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus, when we remember how Jesus went into the River Jordan and the Holy Spirit came down like a dove.

On Ketera, grown-ups get everything ready for the big feast. Long ago, our wise church fathers taught believers to fast on this day. That means they waited to eat until evening, so their hearts could stay turned toward God in prayer. They ate only simple food, nothing rich or fancy, to remember that the feast is for God and not just a party.

When evening comes, the priests gather everyone near the water. They pray special prayers over it, because tomorrow is the feast of the Baptism. Then early in the morning, even before the sun comes up, the people come to church to celebrate with great joy.

Ketera is a happy time of singing and waiting and getting ready. It feels a little like the night before your birthday. Everyone is glad, ready to remember how God showed His glory at the River Jordan.

We ask our Lord Christ to reveal the glory of His Godhead in our hearts, even as He revealed it in the River Jordan.

Abba Tawbentos, the Hidden Helper

Today we remember a kind monk named Abba Tawbentos (say it: Taw-BEN-tos), one of those who gave their days to quiet prayer. When he was young, he lived in the house of a holy church leader named Abba Tauna, who taught him to love God and gave him the simple clothes of a monk.

Abba Tawbentos grew wise and strong in his faith, so he was made the leader of a monastery near the city of Alexandria, a peaceful home where many pray together. Seven hundred monks lived there and listened to him.

One day a hard time came, and Abba Tawbentos had to slip away quietly and hide. He stayed in the home of a woman who loved God. Gently he helped her understand the true faith, and she came to love Jesus with all her heart.

After that he traveled from place to place, praying and resting quietly in God. Through his prayers God healed the sick and answered people in need. He even helped some who had done wrong turn their lives around and become faithful servants of God.

When Abba Tawbentos was very old, his hair gone grey, he gathered the people he loved like his own children. He told them to stay strong in the true faith and to keep being kind. Then he went home to God in peace.

Be strong in the true faith, and keep God's good commandments.— Abba Tawbentos

Three More Friends of God

Today we also remember three more saints who loved God very much.

The first is Abba Kinaria (say it: Kih-NAH-ree-ah), a holy man who served God faithfully all his days.

The second is Queen Batrika. She wore a crown and ruled a land, yet the best thing about her was the love for God she carried in her heart.

The third is Tomiani. She stayed faithful to God right to the end of her life, even when it cost her dearly. That is what we mean by a martyr: someone who keeps loving God no matter what comes. She was not afraid, for she knew God was holding her safe and bringing her home to heaven.

We thank God for all these brave and gentle friends of His, and we ask them to pray for us.