Judith 13:18bcde, 19
Chapter 13
18
Uzziah said: “My daughter, may the Most High God bless you more than all women on earth. And blessed be the Lord God, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has led you to behead the leader of our enemies.
19
Never will people forget the confidence you have shown; they will always remember the power of God.
Commentaries
The Great Liberation.
The second part of the book focuses on the main protagonist, Judith, who arrives at this point. It is here that the dilemma will be resolved: surrender or resistance. Judith will lead the resistance, but she will also guide it: we must resist not by counting on a miraculous intervention from God, but by using the resources at our disposal to serve the community and divine action—our beauty and our freedom, since as widows, we do not depend on a husband—and finally, our wisdom and resourcefulness. Resistance does not, therefore, mean waiting for extraordinary interventions that are unlikely to happen. Resistance means starting with what little we have, with the strong hope that it is more than enough to face any force opposed to God’s plan.
The Victorious City.
Before the final victory, the festive atmosphere of celebration begins. The announcement of victory, even from afar, is a cry of thanksgiving to the Lord; joyful singing fills the scene. Judith, aware of what she has accomplished, claims no praise or recognition for herself. It was her beauty that seduced Holofernes, leading to his downfall, but ultimately, it was the work of the Lord who once again acted on behalf of His people. The words of Ozias, an elder of the city, express how the people feel after witnessing the removal of threats and dangers, encouraging Jewish believers not to lose hope during difficult times.