It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Consequences of war, a reflection on 2 Maccabees 12:26-45

More victories, some leniency, another battle. A couple of things stand out in the description of these military advances: 1) the role of the Lord in a victory is acknowledged; 2) a reason for defeat is given--the Jews had violated a religious requirement.

Judas exhorted the people to refrain from sin and took up a collection to send to Jerusalem for a sin offering as atonement for the dead so that they might be delivered from sin. The author points out that Judas would not have done this if he didn't believe in resurrection.

When we have made a great achievement, do we acknowledge God's help? Do we ever attribute our losses to our violation of religious requirements? Does a belief in resurrection affect one's disposition to sinning?

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