Today’s readings contrast the fleeting authority of mortal kings with the ethereal sovereignty of the Creator of Creation, Triune God, unsurpassed in splendor and benevolence. The courage on display from the intrepid Maccabean brothers and their indomitable mother teach us how to remain steadfast in our fidelity to God Almighty even when we find ourselves in the most difficult of circumstances.
Be A Maccabee
The exploits of the seven Maccabean brothers and their mother beggar’s belief.
This family did not flinch in the face of cruel torture and execution, bravely accepting death and refusing to relinquish their faith. They disdainfully ignore all the attempts of their captors to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. One by one, the seven sons suffer torture and execution, pledging allegiance and faith to God who gave them life, expressing hope in the future resurrection of the body for the just. The brave mother watches each of her sons die before her eyes, bearing her grief courageously while encouraging her sons with these words:
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shaped the beginning of humankind and brought about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.” 2 Maccabees 7:23
How were they able to go to their deaths, disdaining the inhumane cruelty of their executioners? I’ll wager that the ultimate grace of final perseverance wasn’t suddenly thrust upon them at their dying breaths, rather this was painstakingly forged with a lifetime of careful choices, steely discipline, and daily dying to self, until the true essence of their character shone forth and provoked wonderment and awe even in their captors and still reaches across the ages to remain an inspiration to listeners today.
When we get right down to it, the times may not be all that different. The Maccabees faced brutal suppression of their religion, the Greeks were carrying out a Hellenization of the world. We find ourselves in a post-Christian world, where whatever seems to be the watchword and just like the Maccabees, our choices in whether to stand up for our faith can matter just as much. The Maccabees died for their faith, our challenge may just be whether we can live for ours! Unless we Christians do our bit to promote and promulgate the faith, we might find ourselves like the bland following the bland. And then the Son of Man may not find Faith on Earth when He returns.
A Demanding King
Jesus recounts the parable of the nobleman who goes off to gain the kingship. Jesus is the King that will return at the end of the age. Yet, he is totally unlike mortal kings that wield their power and brandish their authority. Rather, He is the Suffering Servant, condemned, brutally tortured and hung on a tree like a common criminal; hung naked with every vestige of dignity stripped away. He does all this for you and for me. Yet, it is by His stripes that we are saved, it is His redemptive suffering that purchases our resurrection. He is a demanding king, who will not tolerate our lounging about, falsely presuming the golden crown lies in wait for us. We need to engage in trade until His return! Jesus ends the parable thus:
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me. Luke 19:28
Who are Christ’s enemies?
Two Standards
St. Ignatius of Loyola, in his Spiritual Exercises, has a key meditation on the Two Standards, where on an imaginary battle field, there are two commanders-in-chief: Christ on one side and Lucifer on the other. Lucifer sends his minions throughout the world, tempting humankind with avarice and greed, with desire for honor and pride. On the other hand, Christ issues forth apostles and disciples to spread His sacred doctrine. He arms them with spiritual poverty, contempt of worldly honor and humility against pride.
In ways that are both great and small, this same battle is enacted across time and space, and like the Macabbees, we too must make our choice. The battle lines are drawn. And we find that they cut right down the middle of the human heart. From within us comes utter evil or purity of thought, word and deed. We are not like the angels; we can be malevolent or magnificent. So, let us beg the Lord for the same spirit that burned in the chests of the Maccabeans and their incredible Mother, so that like them, we can brush aside all the wickedness and snares of the Evil One and remain the course. And if our lot is to suffer persecution, or the suffering that marks the end of human lives, we can turn to Our Lady for assistance, for she is well versed with human suffering. Our Lady Of Sorrows, pray for us! Christ Jesus, King of the Universe, make our hearts like unto thine!
Dear D’Souza family,
May I commend you for this inspiring and thoughtful message. Remain ever blessed.
Kind regards,
Sr. Olisaemeka.