Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Elizabeth of Hungary (1207-1231). Though a queen, Elizabeth led an austere life and spending most of her time doing charity. Blessed are the poor in spirit. The Kingdom of Heaven is theirs (Matthew 5:3).
The reading of 2 Maccabees today offers a rare glimpse of the moral height of the author of this book. It is the story of the martyrdom of Eleazar (2 Maccabees 6:18-31). To celebrate the birthday of the king, a decree was issued such that all the people, including the Jews, should partake of the sacrifices in which meat, unclean according to the Jewish law, was offered.
Eleazar was a 90-year-old scribe (2 Maccabees 6:18, 24). He was forced to eat the pork offered in sacrifices. If he refused, he would be beaten to death in public.
If you were Eleazar, what would you do, and why?
Eleazar was a 90-year-old scribe (2 Maccabees 6:18, 24). He was forced to eat the pork offered in sacrifices. If he refused, he would be beaten to death in public.
If you were Eleazar, what would you do, and why?
At first, Eleazar refused to eat. The officers in charge of the sacrifices were his long-time friends. They urged Eleazar to bring his own meat, proper for him to use, to make it a show in order to save his life (2 Maccabees 6:21).
If you were Eleazar, would you accept the good will of your friends? If not, can you explain why?
This is a good moral theology exercise. I strongly recommend you to read the story yourselves to check against your answer. After more than 2000 years, our morality may not be any better than that depicted in this martyrdom story.
This is how the author finishes the story.
When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: "It is clear to the Lord in his holy knowledge that, though I might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these things because I fear him." (2 Maccabees 6:30)
The fear of the Lord is a typical Old Testament value. It appears 18 times in the Wisdom Literature and 3 times in Isaiah. Perhaps the translation is not very accurate or perhaps it is accurate, but modern men do not appreciate this value.
This verse also reflects a typical Greek dualism --- body vs. soul. It also sings praises to the triumph of the soul over the body. After all, Hellenization was not totally rejected by all Jews.
If you were Eleazar, would you accept the good will of your friends? If not, can you explain why?
This is a good moral theology exercise. I strongly recommend you to read the story yourselves to check against your answer. After more than 2000 years, our morality may not be any better than that depicted in this martyrdom story.
This is how the author finishes the story.
When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned aloud and said: "It is clear to the Lord in his holy knowledge that, though I might have been saved from death, I am enduring terrible sufferings in my body under this beating, but in my soul I am glad to suffer these things because I fear him." (2 Maccabees 6:30)
The fear of the Lord is a typical Old Testament value. It appears 18 times in the Wisdom Literature and 3 times in Isaiah. Perhaps the translation is not very accurate or perhaps it is accurate, but modern men do not appreciate this value.
This verse also reflects a typical Greek dualism --- body vs. soul. It also sings praises to the triumph of the soul over the body. After all, Hellenization was not totally rejected by all Jews.
Dear Lord, I pray that men learn to lead a more civilized life and to respect other people's views, especially in our workplace. Much barbarism will be avoided when we do not impose our own views on others. Amen.
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