But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: ‘Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to obey his commandments, everyone of them abandoning the religion of their ancestors, I and my sons and my brothers will continue to live by the covenant of…
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It happened also that seven brothers and their mother were arrested and were being compelled by the king, under torture with whips and thongs, to partake of unlawful swine’s flesh. From 2 Maccabees 7:1,20-31, NRSV In the second century, King Antiochus IV outlawed the worship and customs of the Jews. By so doing, he hoped…
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When he (Eleazar) was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: ‘It is clear to the Lord in his holy knowledge that, though I might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these…
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But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Very great wrath came upon Israel. From 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-64, NRSV It is testimony…
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She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates. Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31RSV At first glance, this reading may…
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The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp,and dry land emerging where water had stood before,an unhindered way out of the Red Sea,and a grassy plain out of the raging waves,where those protected by your hand passed through as one nation,after gazing on marvellous wonders.For they ranged like horses,and leapt like lambs,praising you, O Lord, who…
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For from the greatness and beauty of created thingscomes a corresponding perception of their Creator. From Wisdom 13:1-9, NRSV For many people, gazing at the beauties and wonders of nature brings a greater appreciation of God as Creator. However, for others, the thought does not go beyond what they are seeing and experiencing. The writer…
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She is more beautiful than the sun,and excels every constellation of the stars.Compared with the light she is found to be superior,for it is succeeded by the night,but against wisdom evil does not prevail. She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other,and she orders all things well. From Wisdom 7:22-8:1, NRSV…
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Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,and boast of many nations.For your dominion was given you from the Lord,and your sovereignty from the Most High;he will search out your works and inquire into your plans. From Wisdom 6:1-11, NRSV Today’s words from the…
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But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,and no torment will ever touch them.In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,and their departure was thought to be a disaster,and their going from us to be their destruction;but they are at peace. From Wisdom 2:23-3:9, NRSV These words from…
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