Daily Readings - Thu Nov 20 2025
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on fidelity to God and the consequences of spiritual blindness. In the first reading from 1 Maccabees, we encounter Mattathias, a Jewish priest who refuses to compromise his faith in the face of persecution. When ordered by King Antiochus to sacrifice to idols and abandon the law of Moses, Mattathias stands firm, even to the point of killing the Jew who would comply with the king’s decree. His boldness is rooted in his deep conviction that the law of God is non-negotiable, and he calls others to join him in fidelity to the covenant. This passage reminds us that our faith is not a convenience but a commitment that may require sacrifice and courage in the face of opposition.
In the Gospel, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, lamenting the city’s failure to recognize the time of its visitation. Jesus’ tears reveal his deep sorrow over the spiritual blindness of those who have rejected him. The destruction he prophesies is not a desire but a consequence of turning away from God’s offer of peace. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we open to God’s presence in our lives, or are we too caught up in our own ways to recognize his visitation?
The connection between the two readings lies in their emphasis on fidelity and spiritual awareness. Mattathias’ courage to stand firm in the face of persecution is a testament to the power of faith, while Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem warns us of the dangers of spiritual complacency. Together, they invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God. Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it is difficult? Are we attentive to God’s presence in our lives, or are we allowing the distractions of the world to blind us to his grace?
As we go about our daily lives, let us ask for the courage of Mattathias and the openness of heart that Jesus desires. May we remain faithful to God’s law, even in the face of challenges, and may we never grow complacent in our spiritual lives. Let us strive to recognize and embrace the ways in which God visits us, that we might live in peace and fidelity to his will.