Yekatit 2 — February 09

Abba Longinus, the Faithful Leader

Abba Longinus came from a faraway land called Cilicia. We call him Abba because that is a warm name for a holy monk, the way you might say father. Longinus chose the quiet life of a monk so he could spend his days praying and living close to God. His teacher was a gentle monk named Abba Lucianus, who loved Jesus very much.

The two of them traveled together and lived simply. They wove roofs and coverings with their own hands, and they earned their bread by working hard. God gave them a special gift: when they prayed, sick people grew well and sad people were comforted. Later Longinus came to Egypt, to a peaceful monastery called Zegag, a quiet home where monks pray together. The monks there loved him so much that they chose him to be their leader.

One day some messengers came with a book that taught wrong things about Jesus. They wanted Longinus to say the book was true. But Longinus loved the real teaching of the Church, so he said no. He prayed for help, and God made the truth plain to everyone. The messengers were so moved that they stayed and became monks themselves! Longinus lived to a happy old age, pleased God, and went home to heaven in peace.

A city which is set upon a hill cannot be hidden.— Matthew 5:14

Abba Pawli, the Bird Brought His Bread

Abba Pawli (say it PAW-lee, which means Paul) is one of the most famous desert monks of all. He grew up in the great city of Alexandria in a rich family. When his parents died, Pawli and his brother were going to share the family's gold and silver.

On the way, they passed a funeral for a very rich man. Pawli looked and thought, "That man had so much money, and now he leaves it all behind." Right then Pawli understood that loving God matters far more than gold. He decided to give his life completely to God.

Pawli went out to a quiet cave deep in the desert, and there he prayed every single day. He lived in that cave for eighty years and saw no other people. Yet God looked after him without fail. Every evening a raven, a big black bird, flew down carrying half a loaf of bread for him. Pawli was never hungry, because God never forgot him.

One day God sent another holy monk, Abba Anthony, to find Pawli. When Anthony knocked, the two old friends hugged and prayed together with great joy. That evening the raven came again, and this time it brought a whole loaf, enough for both of them. They knew God had planned it. Soon after, God gently called Pawli home to heaven, and the angels sang as they carried him. Anthony buried his dear friend, and two lions came quietly to help dig the grave, then bowed their heads. Later, when Pawli's old cloak was laid on a young man who had died, the young man stood right up, alive and well, and everyone thanked God.

What have I to do with the riches of this world, which after a few days I must leave behind?— Abba Pawli

Thomas the Apostle and the Joyful Rescue

Thomas was one of the twelve apostles, the closest helpers Jesus had. Jesus sent him to a faraway city to teach the people there about God's love. As Thomas came near the city, he found a young man who had died, and his heart filled with kindness.

Thomas prayed and prayed for the young man. Then, in the name of Jesus, he sent away the evil that had hurt him, for God is always stronger than anything bad. And what a happy moment it was. The young man jumped up, completely well, and hugged Thomas' feet to thank him. The people of that place could hardly believe it, and many of them came to love Jesus. Thomas built them a church so they could pray together.

Something even more surprising happened next. A young donkey walked up to Thomas and spoke to him! It asked the tired apostle to climb on its back and rest. Thomas was amazed, and he thanked God for this gentle helper. He rode the donkey to the city gates, and many people walked along beside him. Then Thomas thanked everyone, blessed them, and went on his way to tell more people the good news about Jesus.