20 November 2023

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 to their faith and fidelity to the Covenant that many Israelites “stood firm” at a time when the Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, was doing all in his power to suppress the practice of the Jewish Law. Earlier in the reading, we are told that some of the Israelites had decided to renounce their religion and to follow the pagan religion of the king. Punishment for those who remained faithful to the Jewish law was extreme – those found to be faithful were sentenced to death. It can only be a matter of speculation as to why some were able to remain faithful but their sacrifice meant the survival of the Chosen People and of the promises that God had made to them.

• • Why do you suppose some of the Israelites were able to withstand this attack on their religion ?
  • Are there people today who are not free to practise their religion? 

Pray for those who are not free to practise their religion.