Hello dear readers.

It’s Mike, back to talk to you about another Saint I admire: Saint Moses the Black. Born in Ethiopia in 330 AD, Saint Moses the Black also answered to Abba Moses the Robber or, simply, the Strong. He started life as the servant of an Egyptian government official, but his owner released him due to suspicions of theft and murder. Moses joined a band of pirates who soon made him leader due to his amazing physical strength. While with them, the group robbed, killed, and generally did whatever they wanted. Basically, they brought fear into the hearts of all who heard of them. One day, Moses sought to rob a house but was foiled by a barking dog. He swore vengeance, but the same dog foiled him again. He hid in a monastery and found himself deeply moved by the rigor of the monks there. Though they thought his conversion was insincere, he wouldn’t relent. He waited until they eventually accepted him and, upon acceptance, quickly took to the monastery’s rules. He even moved to a solitary cell where he spent his time in prayer and strict fasting.

              One day, four men from Saint Moses’ band of thieves attacked his living quarters, oblivious to the fact that their former leader now resided there. Moses easily overpowered them and restrained them all singlehandedly. He took them to the Elders of the monastery, who ordered the men to be set free immediately. Once the bandits realized Moses had defeated them and showed them kindness, they felt compelled to follow his example; they joined becoming monks themselves. Later upon hearing this news, the remaining robbers joined. The man who brought terror into the hearts of many now brought his lost sheep to God. Saint Moses continued his religious life, eventually being freed from his temptations entirely. The acting bishop ordained Saint Moses after a difficult trial, and he labored for fifteen years in the role. He gathered 75 disciples during that time. At age 75, Saint Moses foresaw a violent death approaching as he awaited fulfilment of a certain Bible passage that always stuck with him: All who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Moses dismissed all of his disciples so they might not face a violent death, but six men stayed so they may die at his side. Saint Moses the Black is celebrated on August 28 ^th.

              I admire Saint Moses the Black because of his strong resolve in everything he did. God certainly saw this strength and decided to put it to good use by converting Moses, and then using him to convert his former band of thieves. Once Moses converted, nothing stopped him from living out his faith as God called him to. He even graciously accepted death by the same violent means that he had lived his own life long ago. One story of Moses says that whenever a brother committed a fault, he refused to help dole out punishment. If called on again, he would carry a large basket of sand above him. The basket had a hole, and sand would spill out along the way. When asked why he did this, Moses replied that his sins ran out behind him and he couldn’t see them, but he was asked to judge another. Hearing these words would bring the other brothers to forgive. Moses never lost sight of all the bad he had done. He carried his sinful past with him, using it as a means to humility. I think we can all ascribe to the same humility as we deal with the world around us. Maybe I can be more patient since I’ve done bad too.
 

Saint Moses the Black,

              Please pray for us as we face renewed temptation to sin each day. Show us the error in our ways and bring us into a closer relationship with God. When we are tempted to judge others, remind us of God’s free-flowing mercy and help us to remember that we are all sinners in need of mercy. Grant us strength in times of temptation, and help us face God’s will with confidence.

Amen