Abraham of Engedi
"We have adored the Messiah who was born in Bethlehem of Judah and whom the Lord's star led us to. 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:"Dove! Dove Oh! You see! You hear! You speak with wisdom in recognizing the Lord! Oh! God! God of my fathers! (...) God! My God! Son of the Father! King like the Father! Savior by obedience to the Father! God like the Father, and my God, God of your servant! May you be blessed, loved, followed, adored 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 healed my wife... but would you have no pity on the fruit of her womb?... A son for the mother! Give a son to the mother, You, the perfect Son of the Mother of all Grace! In the name of your Mother, have mercy on me, on us!..."Jesus tells him:
"Cry no more! Let us go to find your Elisha. Your faith, your justice, your hope, deserve this and more. Do not weep, oh father! And let us not delay any longer in freeing a creature from horror."[4]
Jesus prophesies to Abraham: "In Heaven you will be with Me and yours with you." [5]
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 tell you: Come."Jesus opens His arms manifesting Himself thus and invites him to rush into them and abandon himself on His Heart.
- "Here I come!" And Abraham throws himself into the arms of Jesus, still shouting: "Jesus, Holy Messiah! Into Your hands I commit my spirit!"[6]
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?EMV 390 EMV 391 EMV 393
EMV 632