Tir 13 — January 21

The Wedding at Cana

Today we remember the very first miracle that Jesus ever did, a wonder that only God can do. It happened at a happy wedding party in a town called Cana, in a land called Galilee.

At the party, the people ran out of wine. There was none left for the guests. Jesus' mother, Mary, told Him about it. Jesus had the servants fill six big stone jars all the way up with plain water.

Then Jesus turned all that water into wine. And not just any wine, but the best and sweetest of all. The man in charge of the party was surprised. Usually people serve the good wine first, but this good wine came last.

When Jesus' friends, called His disciples, saw this, they believed in Him even more. It showed them that Jesus is truly the Son of God, who can do anything.

Everyone serves the good wine first, but you have kept the best until now.— from the Gospel of John

The Seven Sleepers

Long ago there were seven young friends who loved Jesus with all their hearts. Their names were Arsalidas, Diomedis, Eugenius, Demetrius, Bernatius, Stephen, and Cyriacus. They came from important families in their city.

A ruler named Decius wanted everyone to bow down to statues called idols. An idol is only a pretend god made of stone or metal, not the real God at all. The seven friends would not bow, because they loved the one true God.

So the friends gave away everything they owned to people who were poor. Then they hid in a quiet cave to pray and be safe. One evening, as they slept there, God gently watched over them. They fell into a deep, peaceful sleep, and they slept for a very, very long time. Three hundred and seventy-two years went by!

Long after, in the days of a kind emperor named Theodosius, some men opened the cave. And then the seven friends woke up. Their faces shone with light like the warm sun. Everyone was amazed and thanked God, because here was proof that God truly wakes His people again. After greeting the emperor and blessing him, the seven friends fell asleep one last time and went home to be with God forever.

Karnos and Minas

Today we also remember two faithful friends of God named Karnos and Minas.

Karnos loved Jesus so much that he stayed true to God no matter what it cost him. That is why we call him a martyr. He was brave, and now he is safe and happy with God.

Minas chose a quiet life all alone, just praying and talking with God. People who live by themselves like that, giving their days fully to God, are called anchorites. We thank God for both of these good friends.

Abba Nakaro and the Pomegranates

Abba Nakaro lived in a monastery, a peaceful home where monks share their days in quiet prayer. He worked very hard to love God, but he was so humble that nobody guessed how holy he really was. Because he was so gentle, the monks gave him the simple job of watching the door.

One night, another monk had a dream. In the dream he saw a beautiful garden full of fruit trees, with little streams of water running through it. And right in the middle was Abba Nakaro, watering the plants! The monk asked, "Whose garden is this?" Abba Nakaro answered, "I planted it." The monk asked for some fruit, so Abba Nakaro picked three pomegranates and gave them to him.

When the monk woke up, he was holding three real pomegranates in his hands! And it was summer, not even the right time of year for pomegranates to grow. That garden was the lovely home God was preparing for Abba Nakaro in heaven, all for his quiet, loving work.

When the monks heard this, they understood that Abba Nakaro was a holy man, and they wanted to honor him. But he had quietly gone home to God. We thank God for humble Abba Nakaro.

Whose garden is this? I planted it.