From the book THE WORD AMONG US – Monday November 18, 2013 Many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts. (1 Maccabees 1:62) Around 165 B.C a pagan king named Antiochus Epiphanes came to power in the land of Palestine. He saw the faithfulness of the Jews to their covenant as an obstacle to his influence over the people. So he began to ban their customs and traditions and to enforce that ban with violence. Not only did he erect a statue of Zeus in the sanctuary of the Temple in Jerusalem; he also forced the Jews to break their kosher laws by eating pork. Any who refused were put to death. It was a dark time for Jerusalem, when many Jews acquiesced and many others despaired. But God remained faithful! He raised up Judas Maccabeus and his sons to help turn the tide. Through their words and their courageous witness, the Maccabees stirred the people to fight against Antiochus’ tyranny and to uphold their covenant. It was a bloody war, but the Maccabees won out in the end. Antiochus was defeated, and the Temple was rededicated to the Lord. Since then, many more have seen dangerous religious persecution. Consider the Sack of Rome in the time of St. Augustine or the many religious wars what have darkened our history. Think, too, of the Russian pogroms against the Jews at the end of the nineteenth century and the anticlericalism of the Spanish Civil War. Every time, God raised up heroes to help guide the people, to encourage them to stand fast, and to protect the vulnerable. Few of us are called to be like Judas Maccabeus. But we are all called to live our faith heroically and purposefully. Through our words, we can bring hope to anyone feeling besieged. Through our joyful, peaceful witness, we can show other people how to remain faithful in the face of pressure to confirm to worldly philosophies. And through our prayers we can change the course of History! In prayer today, take some time to thank God for the heroes and heroines of the past. Then pray for the many people experiencing real religious persecution throughout the world today. They are our brothers and sisters, and they need our support! “Lord, fan the flame in my heart, that I might be your light, encouraging people according to your plan and your wisdom.”
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 02:42:50 +0000
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