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 14, 2015

Conversion, a reflection on 2 Maccabees 3:22-34

Although the king wanted Heliodorus to seize the contents of the temple treasury, the Almighty Lord answered the prayers of the people. When Heliodorus arrived at the treasury with his bodyguard, he was met by an amazing manifestation. Appearing to them was a horse, a frightening-looking rider. The horse knocked Heliodorus man down then two young men appeared who flogged him into unconsciousness. The people who had been full of fear were filleld with joy and gladness now that the Almighty Lord had appeared.

Some of Heliodorus's friends asked the high priest Onias to call on the Most High to grant life to the one lying there near death. Onias, fearing retribution by the king, offered sacrifices for  recovery. At the same time, the two young men who had flogged him appeared to Hellodorus and told him to be grateful to the priest and to tell everyone just who had the power in this kingdom. Heliodorus did.

Depictions of the ousting of Heliodorus works by Delacroix and by Raphael

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