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.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

The youngest brother, a reflection on 4 Maccabees 12

When the seventh and youngest brother was brought in, the tyrant felt compassion for him. "You see the results of your brothers' stupidity, dying in torment because of their disobedience. You have the choice of being tortured or of being my friend and a leader in the government of the kingdom."

Thinking she would persuade the boy to obey and save himself, the tyrant then sent for the mother.

She spoke to her son, her last remaining son, in Hebrew (see chapter 16 if you can't wait). The boy asked to be freed. Since they thought that he was going to do what they wanted, they freed him immediately. Instead of doing what they wanted, he said, "My brothers died nobly but you will suffer for killing them. God will take vengeance both in this present life and when you are dead."

He threw himself into the fire.


No comments: