Sr. Bincy Thumpanathu CMC
Reading: “I beseech you, my child, to look at the heaven and the earth and see everything that is in them, and recognize that God did not make them out of things that existed. Thus also mankind comes into being. Do not fear this butcher, but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death, so that in God’s mercy I may get you back again with your brothers” (2 Macc 7:28-29)
Reflection: This passage is taken from the second book of Maccabees which provides a description of the well-known story of a mother and her seven children who were subjected to savage torture at the hands of King Antiochus IV. The mother, together with her sons, was arrested in connection with a ceremonial meal that had been organized by the King. The meal involved eating a little bit of pork as a test of the martyrs’ loyalty to the King. Following their refusal to reject their ancestral traditions, each of the sons in turn endures extreme torture and eventually succumbs. When the first boy was fried alive in a huge skillet, his six brothers and their mother encouraged each other to remain steadfast, which they did. One after the other, they bravely resisted all attempts at forcing them to renounce their traditions and spoke boldly of their unshakeable faith in God.
Surrendering to the will of the One True God, the mother witnessed how her sons were so violently killed. Trusting in the Lord, she makes a bold claim: “I do not know how you came into being in my womb. It was not I who gave you life and breath, nor I who set in order the elements within each of you. Therefore the Creator of the world, who shaped the beginning of humankind and devised the origin of all things, will in his mercy give life and breath back to you again, since you now forget yourselves for the sake of his laws” (7:22–23). She exhorts all her sons to accept death rather than perform any sacrifice according to the decrees of the king. The mother reminds them of God’s promise of the reward of eternal life in return for their obedience to His law. The book records that immediately after the martyrdom of her sons the mother herself was put to death (7:41).
Being cognizant of the higher cause of faithfulness to God, and notwithstanding her deep love for her sons, she drew great strength from her trust and hope in the Lord as her sons perished before her very eyes. Having courageously bore the immense pain of watching them suffer so grievously she found comfort in the knowledge that they had remained bold to the end, something that bears testimony to their fortitude. She has full confidence that she will once again see her sons in the life to come. The attitude adopted by the mother during the martyrdom of her beloved sons is admirable and one that is extremely challenging for us all.
In the modern world, where the emphasis is often very much on the preservation of self, securing one’s future, protecting one’s health and concern for one’s appearance, the idea of devoting one’s life to the betterment of others, may not receive the attention it deserves. In such circumstances the concept of martyrdom might appear to be completely alien and difficult to grasp, and something which belongs in the dim and distant past. However, it should not be forgotten that even now people are being persecuted and dying on a daily basis for their faith. The sad truth is that in many places today, acts of violence perpetrated against Christians are commonplace. Even though, most of us will never be called to martyrdom, the lives of martyrs who were prepared to lay down their lives for the glory of God should inspire others to act as Jesus, the good shepherd did. When His blood was poured out, many were saved.
Prayer: “Whosoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). Lord, we have received as a lasting inheritance from all the martyrs, a strong and vibrant faith and a passion for God’s Kingdom. As Tertullian, the second-century church father, wrote: “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” All martyrs gave life to the church by spilling their blood. Following their great example, Lord, in perilous situations and where evil is all around, grant us the courage to die with your name on our lips.
Contemplation: Allow the Lord to gradually calm your soul. Bring to mind the heroic Christian martyrs who looked into heaven as they laid down their lives. Ask yourself: Am I courageous enough to stand up for my faith? Am I content with material comforts and do I find solace in earthly things, or is my heart set on seeing the Lord face to face? Which do I value more, my temporal or my eternal life?
Action: • Pray today for our brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to be oppressed, persecuted and abused for their faith.
• Offer a sacrifice for the conversion of those who persecute Christians throughout the world.
