To all the women who are anonymously building history.
Info: [my use of the photo] Honoring Saint Cecilia and the Mother of the Seven Brothers.
Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: 2 Mc 7:1, 20-31; Ps 17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b and 15; Lk 19:11-28
Notes: Enough has been said about excessive cruelties, let us sing: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Enough has been said about the sacrificial meals and the excessive cruelties (2 MAC 7:42).
Summary
In our readings today, we are given the stark example of fidelity to the LORD and His commandments and the bribery of the world to ignore the LORD. The Maccabees account of a mother and seven sons gives a very harsh reminder of how cruel the world can be and the enticements available: the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him, not with mere words, but with promises on oath, to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs: he would make him his Friend and entrust him with high office (v 24).
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them (2 MAC 7:28-29).”
In our gospel portion each was given a single coin (talent) to do as they please but knowing the expectation of righteousness was always real and an obstinate failure to be righteous will have a disastrous consequence.
Reflection
As to the centering purpose of our readings today it is this. We have a choice: sacrificial meals or excessive cruelties. We live in a world of nuance that is true. But we must have the right intention in order to make a pathway forward to holiness.
Sacrificial meal today is fully understood as the Holy Eucharist. In this sacred meal, the sacrificial meal, the LORD has brought life and eternal life. Sharing with the LORD, the priests and the people all that the LORD has offered us.
Excessive cruelties is fully understood as the rejection of the Kingdom of God. His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ from the gospel and that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law from the Maccabees.
Personal Reflection
These stories remind me it is hard to imagine just how bad things can get. The proverb ‘but for the mercy of God, there go I‘ can apply to internal and external evils. I am certain of this, being in the presence of the LORD in the Holy Eucharist and receiving Him in Holy Communion makes me happy, content, courageous and ready to do good and resist evils. The sacrificial meal is my hope in living rightly before man and God.
I recommend choose the meal.
First Reading
Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Responsorial
Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Gospel Acclamation
I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
Gospel
His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
[Later]
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry