Tag: christianity

+AMDG+

On December 28th, during morning prayer, I had watched the latest Catholic news, a lot of it being about the new permissions for blessing same sex couples, and the sign of lightning symbolically destroying specific aspects of St Peter’s statue, at a particular place, on a particular day. See more about that here:

“Mighty signs will come from the sky…” (Luke 21) and they have!!!

Thereafter, I opened, after prayer, on this biblical story: 2 Maccabees Ch 5-12

This, strangely, seemed to match with what I read this morning, including the ominous signs sent from heaven.

Let me summarise the story first and what I saw in it. At first, you think you know the story… until you pay attention to details that are now strikingly relevant. First lesson in humility; don’t assume you know and fail to re-read a passage. God has a point in mind, even if you think you ‘already know this’ or already know the story.

It begins in Chapter 5, as Antiochus invades Egypt, there is a striking sign appears in the air.

² “And it happened that over all the city, for almost forty days, there appeared golden-clad horsemen charging through the air, in companies fully armed with lances and drawn swords— ³ troops of horsemen drawn up, attacks and counterattacks made on this side and on that, brandishing of shields, massing of spears, hurling of missiles, the flash of golden trappings, and armor of all sorts. ⁴ Therefore all men prayed that the apparition might prove to have been a good omen.”

Following this are some terrible tragedies:

Jason attacks the city by surprise with 1000 men- and slaughters his fellow citizens without discrimination or mercy! He does not gain any long-term success or overthrow anything, (his actions are not right in the eyes of God) but the worst part is that his actions cause a major misunderstanding. The reports of Jason and his riotous conduct cause King Antiochus to think that all of Judea is in revolt, which is not the case. He becomes enraged and attacks the city with his armies, massacring young, old, women, children, virgins and infants alike. 48,000 people were lost, murdered or sold into slavery in the space of 3 days. He plunders and desecrates the Temple and treats the people with hatred and contempt.

Afterwards, many grave injustices took place, particularly through an evil administrator called Menelaus, who did things especially out of hatred for the Jews. Judas Maccabeus, however, prudently withdrew into the Wilderness, with about 9 others:- to live there on wild foods, and to avoid becoming part of the defilement (including being forced into desecrating the Temple and abandoning God’s laws).

Chapter 6 is the Chapter which particularly stood out and struck a chord in me.

The Temple Desecrated and Abolition of the Law

Not long after this, the king sent an Athenian^[a] senator^[b] to force the Jews to abandon the customs of their ancestors and cease to live by the laws of God, ² and also to profane the temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian Zeus, and to call the temple in Geri′zim, the temple of Zeus the Hospitable, as requested by the people who dwelt in that place.

³ This intensified the evil in an intolerable and utterly disgusting way. ⁴ For the temple was filled with debauchery and reveling by the Gentiles; they amused themselves with prostitutes and had intercourse with women within the sacred precincts, and besides brought in things for sacrifice that were unfit. ⁵ The altar was covered with abominable offerings which were forbidden by the laws. ⁶ A man could neither keep the sabbath, nor observe the traditional feasts nor even admit himself to be a Jew.

⁷ Moreover, at the monthly celebration of the king’s birthday, the Jews^[c] were taken, under bitter constraint, to partake of the sacrifices; and when the feast of Diony′sus came, they were compelled to walk in the procession in honor of Diony′sus, wearing wreaths of ivy. ⁸ At the suggestion of Ptol′emy a decree was issued to the neighboring Greek cities, that they should adopt the same policy toward the Jews and make them partake of the sacrifices, ⁹ and should slay those who refused to adopt the customs of the Greeks.

One could see, therefore, the misery that had come upon them. ¹⁰ For example, two women were brought in for having circumcised their children. These women they publicly paraded about the city, with their babies hung at their breasts, then hurled them down headlong from the wall. ¹¹ Others who had assembled in the caves near by, to observe the seventh day secretly, were betrayed to Philip and were all burned together, because their piety kept them from defending themselves, in view of their regard for that most holy day.”

The next paragraph however, interrupts the story to remind all those who believe in God, that these calamities are not to dishearten them. God chastises us early, that we might not become entrenched in sin and take our Faith for granted. The author states:

“¹⁶ God never withdraws his mercy from us. Though he disciplines us with misfortunes, he does not abandon his own people. ¹⁷ Let these words suffice for recalling this truth. Without further ado, we must go on with our story.”

Chapter 7 then details the glorious example set for us, of a man of integrity, old Elea’zar and then the mother and her seven sons. For further inspiration, in standing up for your faith, read this chapter to refresh your admiration and draw strength.

Connection to now:

As far as I can see the connection is this: We are at war, in our own Church. We are being rightly chastised and purified. The Holy Temple of God is about to be overtaken with all manner of ills. 2 Maccabees:6

It has already been dedicated to foreign pagan idols- repeatedly. Soon we will be forced to participate or flee to the mountains. Some priests are already in hiding. Some religious have been called to bravely and publicly witness. Many have been cancelled or exiled or silenced.

Take for yourselves the examples set by Eleazar and the 7 brothers, their mother and many others (Ch 7). For encouragement and inspiration, read their testimonies- for it is better to die for the Lord and lose all, than to act ignominiously and cause scandal before our children. Their real inheritance is worth far more than all we can give on earth. And so what, therefore, if we are called to give it all?

Remain focused on He Who comes.