The priest and leader Matthatias turns down the honors and power promised him if he renounces his faith and offers sacrifice in honor of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes of Syria. He starts the open revolt of the Jewish people, a revolt that is both religious and political. Luke wrote his gospel when the Temple had […]
We hear the inspiring story of the mother and her seven sons, who, with great courage, preferred to die for their faith rather than to sin against the Law. Faith, the gospel, and the life of Christ are rich gifts which we have received to work with, to produce with, to do business with, as
The first book of the Maccabees is historical and gives us the story of the struggle of the faithful Jews to preserve their religion and culture. The second book of the Maccabees is a more edifying book that gives us inspiring examples of the people’s struggles and faithfulness, like old Eleazar’s martyrdom for the sake
This week the first reading in Year I will be taken from the two canonical books of the Maccabees. These tell the story of the epic fight of the Jews against the Syrian empire. The Syrian king wanted to unify the kingdom under Hellenistic culture. Many Jews felt that their adherence to the Mosaic law
Daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth (1207-1231) was given in marriage at the age of 14 to the count of Thuringia in what could be called an ideal marriage. She devoted most of her time and the resources of her husband to the sick and the poor. At her husband’s death, she was driven
We Are People of Hope Good News until the End Greeting (See Rom 8:38-39) Neither death nor life, neither the present nor the future nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God, the love he has made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. May the Lord Jesus be always with you.
Their salvation through the Red Sea and their journey through the desert were like a new creation for the Hebrew people. God protected them and led them to freedom. This reminds us how our passing through the saving waters of baptism has recreated us as the People of God. Luke must have had in mind
The author of Wisdom accuses non-Jews of being blind. They see the beauty of creation, but they fail to recognize the creator behind them, so much so that they begin to adore created things. Jesus reprimands those who fail to see the signs of his coming in judgment. His coming is not an exceptional event,
The author of the book of Wisdom gives high praise to wisdom. She is personified; she is like a spirit that moves. She is like the breath of God that orders all things well. To the Pharisees and perhaps to the disciples too, anxiously looking for signs, Jesus says: The kingdom of God is among
The Jewish kings were God’s representatives to the people by virtue of their anointing. Now comes the author of the book of Wisdom and says that pagan rulers have also received their authority from God. They must exercise it wisely for doing good, in accordance with God’s law, because they have to give an account
