Mother of Seven Martyrs Lectionary 499

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Scripture: Lectionary 499:II Maccabees 7:1.20-31. Psalm 17: 1.5-6.8.15. Luke 19:11-28

Recently a homilist gave a clear exposition of the two books of Maccabees that we are listening to and reading during the liturgy. He explained how I Maccabees is more of chronicle of historical events from the time of Alexander the Great down to the time of the conflict between the Israelites and Antiochus Epiphanes who is the one who put the statue of Zeus in the sanctuary of the Temple. This was the “abomination of desolation” spoken of by Jesus and the Evangelists. Thus the first book is historical and straightforward in its presentation; the second is more for the edification of the Israelites after the destruction and devastation caused by Antiochus Epiphanes. Book Two is more in the style of a preacher than an historian.

We read yesterday about the powerful example of an elderly Israelite who was martyred rather than betray even the least of the prescriptions of the law about eating unclean foods. Even more vehement was his resistance to the sin of idolatry. His name shows us how he was able to be so strong in his faith, for Eleazar means the help of God.

Today’s reading shows that the women of Israel are as faithful and dedicated to their faith as Eleazar was. The mother of the seven sons who are martyred is unnamed but her memory continues throughout the centuries through the liturgy and the reading of this deuteron-canonical inspired writing. The Catholic Church affirms the divine inspiration and canonicity of the I and II Maccabees.

We are reminded of the great faith of the early Christians through an application of this narrative about the woman and her seven sons. These Christians likewise were faithful to their religious convictions and their dedication to the community that was ready to witness to Jesus through the shedding of their own blood in his name. We recall the adage, “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.” We are aware that there are many contemporary men and women who were martyred for the faith and their upholding of God’s justice. We are even surprised that so many were martyred in Nigeria in Biafra and of the slaughter of innocent people in Ruwanda.

In reading I Maccabees the incidents perpetrated against the Jews reminds us of the Shoah (Holocaust). Sainthood and martyrdom are not only the possession of Christians. Many have been martyred for being devout believers in their faith. The Communion of Saints is not restricted to 144,000 mentioned in Revelation. In the Old Testament and the New Testament we hear of these saints. Both Jews and Christians believed so strongly in their faith and their traditions that they poured out their life for God and for Jesus respectively.

Why? Because of their belief in the afterlife and the resurrection. Immortality came in through the Greek philosophers but not martyrdom. Martyrdom was possible because of belief in the resurrection of body and spirit. One has only to turn to St. Paul in I Corinthians chapter fifteen to find how he helps us understand what bodily resurrection is about. All of these martyrs believed their lives would continue with a God who is the God of the living not the dead as Jesus clearly preached.

We are fortunate to have memorials and feasts dedicated to the martyrs. We then can see that throughout history there were men, women, and children who truly loved God beyond their own lives and those of their loved ones. “Blessed be God who lives forever with the saints.” Amen.