Abraham of Engedi
"We have worshipped the Messiah Who was born in Bethlehem of Judah and to Whom we were led by the star of the Lord. Herod is looking for Him [...] to kill Him."[1]
As he promised them not to endanger them, nor Jesus and the holy family, he refrained for a long time from speaking about their story, their descriptions, and Bethlehem. But this memory was his support and his consolation.
He is afflicted by many misfortunes: he lost his daughter, Elise, who left him grandchildren. His only son, Elisha, suddenly disappeared.[2] Abraham has revealed to no one that he has actually become leprous. Therefore, he secretly feeds his son.
He talks to him about the magi, maintaining his hope in the One who will heal him, the Messiah. His wife, nicknamed Dove, becomes confounded and stunned because of these too many sufferings.
During His passage to Engedi where Abraham confronts Him, Jesus heals his wife. Seeing his wife healed, Abraham exclaims:"Colomba! You see! You understand! You are speaking wisely recognising the Lord! Oh! God! God of my fathers! [...] God! My God! Son of the Father! Kinglike the Father! Saviour obedient to the Father! God like the Father, and my God, God of Your servant! May You be blessed, loved, followed, worshipped forever!"[3]When Jesus leaves Engedi at night, accompanied by some residents, Abraham leads Him to his son, finally revealing his terrible condition. He begs Him:
"You have already cured my wife… but will You not have mercy on the fruit of her womb?… A son to a mother! Give back a son to his mother, You, the perfect Son of the Mother of all graces! In the name of Your Mother have mercy on me, on us!…"[4]Jesus tells him:
"Do not weep anymore! Let us go to your Elisha. Your faith, justice and hope deserve that and much more. Do not weep, father! Do not let us delay any longer from freeing a man from such horror."[5]Jesus prophesies to Abraham:
"But you will be in Heaven with Me, and your dear ones will be with you."[6]
Apostolic Journey
He is fortunate to die in the arms of Christ, during one of His apparitions following His resurrection, on Easter morning. Jesus says to him:"«It is I, Abraham of Engedi, and I say to you: “Come”.» Jesus stretches out His arms towards him, revealing Himself, and inviting him to throw himself into them, relaxing on His Heart.At that moment a boy comes into the vineyard. He is followed by an adolescent and he shouts: «Father! Father! Here we are to help you.»
But the trilling cry of the boy is drowned by the powerful cry of the old man, a true cry of liberation: «Here I am! I am coming!» And Abraham throws himself into the arms of Jesus, shouting again: «Jesus, Holy Messiah! Into Your hands I commit my spirit!»"[7]
His Name
Abram means in Hebrew "he is noble through his father." Reference to the father of believers. The suffix "raham" given to Abraham by God does not change the meaning of the name.
Where is he mentioned in the work?GRM 390 GRM 391 GRM 393
GRM 632