Today's 1st Reading with Reflection - November 16, 2011

1st READING

The story of this heroic and courageous mother should be an inspiration to us. She recognizes that her sons are not hers to possess but gifts from God. So she does not look to this world for their reward but for eternity. Like the Virgin Mary, she stands by faithfully as her sons are tortured and die for the truth and honor of God. No doubt, when Jesus rose from the dead, He brought with Him this mother and her sons.

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

1 It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law. 20Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord. 21 Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she exhorted each of them in the language of their forefathers with these words:22 “I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. 23 Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s beginning, as he brings

about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.” 24 Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words, thought he was being ridiculed. As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him, not with mere words, but with promises on oath, to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs: he would make him his Friend and entrust him with high office. 25 When the youth paid no attention to him at all, the king appealed to the mother, urging her to advise her boy to save his life. 26 After he had urged her for a long time, she went through the motions of persuading her son. 27 In derision of the cruel tyrant, she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language: “Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up, educated and supported you to your present age. 28 I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. 29 Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.” 30 She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said: “What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king’s command. I obey the command of the law given to our forefathers through Moses. 31 But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews, will not escape the hands of God.

SABBATH

AT THE HOUR OF DEATH The pagan empires that sought to bring destruction to the lives of the people constantly tested the Jewish faith. The Seleucids took over the Roman Empire and sought to establish their reign with pagan gods and rituals. The book of Maccabees is an inspiring account of the early Jewish martyrs who sought favour from the Lord in the midst of horrific trials. In the first reading, we read an amazing account of a mother’s exhortation to her sons during the trial of the King. The woman speaks to her sons reminding them of their ancestors and the faith they put in the Lord. The King summons her to influence her son to obey his will. The woman does not give way to the King’s will but instead calls her son to obey the will of the Creator, the One who in His mercy gives life and breath. In the face of death, the young son does not shrink from his faith in the Lord. With firm resolve before the King and his mother, he obeys the commands of the law given through Moses. The character of the mother is very inspiring. She is noble in her speech towards her son, offering words of encouragement. She edifies them in their faith by speaking the truth in love. She prefigures the most noble mother, Mary, who stands by us offering words of hope. We are to be encouraged by the presence of the mother at the hour of the death of her sons. She exhorts them to live as they have died — in faithful obedience to the law of God, by which we are all to be judged at the last day. Mary also supports us in our faith despite the hurling accusations of the evil one. Beautifully illustrated in the story is the heart of a mother. Let us have recourse to our Mother Mary who will be with us to the very end. She assists us in our life; she will not abandon us at the hour of death. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL Reflection Question: Mediate on the words of exhortation of the mother in the first reading. I call upon You, Lord, for You will answer me. Amen.