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.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Help from a heavenly horseman a reflection on 2 Maccabees 11

Another attack on Jerusalem prompts Maccabeus and his men to respond. Accompanied by another vision of a horsemen, clothed in white and brandishing weapons of gold, they defeated the occupiers decisively.

Pondering his defeat, Lysias (Syrian general and governor), realized that the Hebrews were invincible because the mighty God fought on their side. So he sought settlement with the Jews by granting every request they made.

King Antiochus then proclaimed that the Jews would be allowed to follow their own rules about food and laws. The Romans consented.

Difficult to accommodate customs of minority religions. Surely, violence isn't the only way to come to agreement.

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