Today’s story of the first reading is not historical but edifying. It applies again to Antiochus IV “Epiphanes,” who obliged the people in his kingdom to pray only to his god, Baal-Zeus, of whom he pretended to be the manifestation. Of course, the Jews (Daniel) contested this order. The destruction of Jerusalem and the signs […]
The message of hope of the previous days continues in today’s readings. The Syrian king oppressed the Jews and declared himself “Epiphanes,” that is, “God become visible”; God will soon judge him, and his kingdom will come to an end. He appears here disguised, under the name Belshazzar. On the other hand, the persecuted Christians
In a time of unrest in the Church, as we seek to live our faith in a renewed way, today’s readings bring us a message of hope and trust. Kingdoms built without God will decay, destroy one another, and be ultimately replaced by God, the Lord of history, with God’s indestructible kingdom. This is the
To strengthen the faith of the persecuted Jews during the time of the Maccabees, the author of the Book of Daniel recounts the inspiring story of four young Jews who risked remaining loyal to God’s law even in the pagan king’s court. They draw both God’s protection and their wisdom from this fidelity. The widow
Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions, the Vietnamese Martyrs, honoured on 24 November. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Church in Vietnam suffered terrible persecutions. From this time of trial emerged a great cloud of witnesses—bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful—who gave their lives for Christ. Among them was
Was I There When They Crucified My King? Reigning from a Cross Greeting (See Second Reading) The Father has given us a place in the kingdom of his beloved Son. In him we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. May Jesus the Lord be with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by
We are told in the first reading about the end of King Antiochus IV. After he had failed to rob the temple of Artemis in Mesopotamia and heard about the restoration of Jerusalem and its Temple, he died in discouragement. “God is the God of the living,” says Jesus. He calls back to life those
We know little more about this popular Roman saint than that she was the daughter of a rich pagan family. She had become a Christian. Her family tried in vain to marry her off to a young pagan. She said that “Christ was her bridegroom,” according to the legend. And also the rest is legend,
After his first military victories over the Syrians, Judas Maccabeus wanted to restore legitimate worship. He had the desecrated Temple cleansed and consecrated anew, rebuilt the altar, and offered the sacrifice in accordance with the Law. Jesus drove out the merchants from the Temple and it might be a good time to ask ourselves: What
There is no indication whatsoever in the scriptures that Mary was presented in the Temple. But this pious legend wants to convey something real: that Mary followed her Son, that her mentality and attitude were those of Jesus, and that, like her Son, she was entirely set on seeking God’s will in everything. She was
