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.

Monday, October 12, 2015

The first two brothers face a choice, a reflection on 4 Maccabees 9

The brothers assert, "We'll die before we would transgress our ancestors' commandments. You're threatening us with death. Didn't you learn anything from Eleazar? Put us to the test. And remember, if you take our lives because we won't reject our religion, we'll have the prize of being with God. You, because of your treatment of us, will undergo the divine justice of eternal torment by fire."

When the eldest was tortured, he called out, "Imitate me. Fight the battle for religion."

After he died, the second brother was tortured. He exclaimed, "How sweet is any kind of death for the religion of our ancestors," then added, to the tyrant, "You will not escape the divine wrath."


No comments: