Daily Readings - Tue Nov 16 2021
2 Maccabees
18And so, Eleazar, one of the chief scribes, a man advanced in years and of stately countenance, was compelled to open his mouth wide to consume the flesh of swine19Yet he, embracing a most glorious death as greater than a detestable life, went forward voluntarily to the torments20And so, thinking over the manner by which he ought to approach it, enduring patiently, he was determined not to permit, due to a love for life, any unlawful things21Yet those who stood near, being moved by an iniquitous pity because of long friendship with the man, taking him aside privately, asked that flesh be brought which was lawful for him to eat, so that he could pretend to have eaten, just as the king had commanded, from the flesh of the sacrifice22So then, by doing this, he might be freed from death. And it was because of their old friendship with the man that they performed this kindness for him23But he began to consider the eminent dignity of his stage of life and old age, and the natural honor of gray hair, as well as his exemplary words and deeds from childhood. And he responded quickly, according also to the ordinances of the sacred law preserved by God, saying, that he would first be sent to the underworld24"For it is not worthy for those of our age," he said, "to deceive, so that many adolescents might think that Eleazar, at ninety years, had converted to the life of the foreigners25And so, they, because of my pretense and for the sake of a brief time of a corruptible life, would be misled, and, through this stain and desecration, I would defile my last years26But if, in the present time, I were rescued from the torments of men, I would then not escape the hand of the Almighty, neither in life, nor in death27For this reason, by departing life with fortitude, I will show myself to be clearly worthy of my long life28And so, I will bequeath an example of fortitude to youths, if, with a ready soul and constancy, I carry out an honest death, for the sake of the most serious and most holy laws." And having said this, he was immediately dragged away to execution29But those who led him, and who were more mild a little before, were turned to anger because of the words spoken by him, which they considered to have been brought forth by way of arrogance30But when he was ready to perish by the scourges, he groaned, and he said: "O Lord, who holds all holy knowledge, you clearly understand that, although I could be freed from death, I suffer grievous pains in body. Truly, according to the soul, I willingly endure these things, because of your fear.31And the way in which this man passed from this life, bequeathed, not only to youths, but also to the entire people, the memory of his death as an example of virtue and fortitude
Luke
1And having entered, he walked through Jericho2And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. And he was the leader of the tax collectors, and he was wealthy3And he sought to see Jesus, to see who he was. But he was unable to do so, because of the crowd, for he was small in stature4And running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree, so that he might see him. For he was to pass near there5And when he had arrived at the place, Jesus looked up and saw him, and he said to him: "Zacchaeus, hurry down. For today, I should lodge in your house.6And hurrying, he came down, and he received him joyfully7And when they all saw this, they murmured, saying that he had turned aside to a sinful man8But Zacchaeus, standing still, said to the Lord: "Behold, Lord, one half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone in any matter, I will repay him fourfold.9Jesus said to him: "Today, salvation has come to this house; because of this, he too is a son of Abraham10For the Son of man has come to seek and to save what had been lost.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful stories that invite us to reflect on the essence of faith and redemption. The first reading from 2 Maccabees tells the story of Eleazar, an elderly scribe who chooses martyrdom over compromising his faith. Despite the offer to pretend to comply with the king's decree, Eleazar stands firm, believing that his actions must reflect his beliefs, even in the face of death. His courage and integrity leave a lasting legacy, inspiring others to remain true to their faith.
The Gospel of Luke presents Zacchaeus, a tax collector shunned by society, who seeks Jesus with determination and humility. Climbing a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus, Zacchaeus's life is transformed when Jesus invites himself to his home. Despite criticism, Zacchaeus responds with repentance, vowing to give half his possessions to the poor and repay those he wronged. Jesus praises him, emphasizing that salvation comes to those who seek redemption.
Both stories highlight the importance of living according to our beliefs. Eleazar's steadfastness reminds us to stand firm in our faith, while Zacchaeus's transformation shows the power of repentance and the inclusivity of God's love. Together, they challenge us to examine our lives, ensuring our actions reflect our faith and that we remain open to change and forgiveness.
In our daily lives, these stories encourage us to live with integrity and humility. Whether facing adversity or seeking forgiveness, we are called to embody our faith actively. Let us draw inspiration from Eleazar's courage and Zacchaeus's repentance, striving to live in a way that reflects God's love and redemption, embracing hope and transformation in our own lives.