Daily Readings - Thu Nov 23 2023
1 Maccabees
15And those who had been sent from king Antiochus came to that place, to compel those who fled into the city of Modin to immolate, and to burn frankincense, and to depart from the law of God16And many of the people of Israel consented and came to them. But Mattathias and his sons stood firm17And those who had been sent from Antiochus, responding, said to Mattathias: "You are a ruler, and very splendid and great in this city, and you are adorned with sons and brothers18Therefore, approach first, and carryout the order of the king, as all the nations have done, and the men of Judah, and those who remained in Jerusalem. And you and your sons will be among the friends of the king, and enriched with gold and silver and many gifts.19And Mattathias responded, and he said with a loud voice: "Even if all nations obey king Antiochus, so that each one departs from the service of the law of his fathers and consents to his commandments20I and my sons and my brothers will obey the law of our fathers21May God be forgiving to us. It is not useful for us to abandon the law and the justices of God22We will not listen to the words of king Antiochus, nor will we sacrifice, transgressing the commandments of our law, so as to set out on another way.23And, as he ceased speaking these words, a certain Jew approached in the sight of all to sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of Modin, according to the order of the king24And Mattathias saw, and he grieved, and his temperament trembled, and his fury was enkindled according to the judgment of the law, and leaping up, he slaughtered him on the altar25Moreover, the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who compelled them to immolate, he killed at the same time, and he destroyed the altar26and he was zealous for the law, just as Phinehas did to Zimri, the son of Salomi27And Mattathias exclaimed with a loud voice in the city, saying, "All who hold zeal for the law, maintaining the covenant, let them follow me.28And he and his sons fled to the mountains, and they left behind whatever they had in the city29Then many who sought judgment and justice went down into the desert
Luke
41And when he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it, saying42"If only you had known, indeed even in this your day, which things are for your peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes43For the days will overtake you. And your enemies will encircle you with a valley. And they will surround you and hem you in on every side44And they will knock you down to the ground, with your sons who are in you. And they will not leave stone upon stone within you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on courage, fidelity, and the recognition of God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from 1 Maccabees tells the story of Mattathias, a Jewish priest who refuses to comply with King Antiochus’ decree to sacrifice to idols. Faced with the king’s emissaries, Mattathias boldly defends his faith, even to the point of violence, slaying the Jew who was about to offer sacrifice on the altar. His actions are not merely an act of defiance but a profound expression of his commitment to the law of God. Mattathias’ courage inspires others to join him in the wilderness, where they continue to resist the king’s oppression. This passage reminds us that our faith is worth fighting for, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents a very different yet complementary scene. As Jesus approaches Jerusalem, he weeps over the city, lamenting its failure to recognize “the time of your visitation.” Jesus’ tears express his deep sorrow for the people who have missed the opportunity to embrace the peace and salvation he offers. His words are a prophetic warning, foreseeing the destruction that will come upon the city because of its blindness. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives: are we attentive to God’s presence and the ways He seeks to draw us closer to Himself? Like Jerusalem, we risk missing the blessings of God’s visitation if we fail to recognize His presence in our midst.
Both readings, though separated by centuries, share a common theme: the call to fidelity and discernment. Mattathias’ courage to stand firm in his faith, even in the face of persecution, is mirrored in Jesus’ sorrow over Jerusalem’s lack of recognition. These stories remind us that living a life of faith requires both boldness and humility. We are called to stand firm in our commitment to God, even when it is challenging, and to remain attentive to His presence in our lives. May we, like Mattathias, have the courage to uphold our faith, and may we, like Jesus, weep with compassion for those who do not recognize the gift of God’s love. Let us strive to live with hearts open to God’s visitation, that we may embrace the peace and salvation He offers.