25 November 2023
But now I remember the wrong I did in Jerusalem. I seized all its vessels of silver and gold, and I sent to destroy the inhabitants of Judah without good reason. I know that it is because of this that these misfortunes have come upon me; here I am, perishing of bitter disappointment in a strange land.’
From 1 Maccabees 6:1-13 , NRSV
In today’s reading, we hear of the demise of King Antiochus, the Syrian king who persecuted the Jews in his kingdom. Following a failed attempt to conquer and loot the wealthy city of Elymais, Antiochus received a further blow when he received the news that his armies in Judah had also been defeated. These defeats sent him into a deep depression which made him think he was nearing death. He came to the recognition that his suffering was a consequence of his mistreatment of the Jews.
- Did Antiochus deserve the misfortunes that befell him?
- Do we deserve misfortune for our sins?
Pray for those who are weighed down by the awareness of their sin and who do not have the hope of forgiveness.
