Biblical Reflection - Thursday, 33rd Week of Ordinary Time (November 20, 2025)

Biblical Reflection - Thursday, 33rd Week of Ordinary Time (November 20, 2025) Prof. Dr. Fr. Jean Richard Lopes (PUC Minas) 1 Maccabees 2:15-29 In those days, 15 the delegates of King Antiochus, charged with forcing the Jews into apostasy, arrived in the city of Modin to organize the sacrifices. 16 Many Israelites approached them, but Mattathias and his sons stayed together, apart. 17 Taking the floor, the king's delegates went to Mattathias, saying: "You are a chief of fame and prestige in the city, supported by sons and brothers. 18 Be the first to approach and carry out the king's order, as all the nations did, the men of Judah and those who remained in Jerusalem. You and your sons will be counted among the king's friends. And you and your sons will be honored, with silver and gold and numerous gifts." 19 With a loud voice, Mattathias replied: "Even if all the nations, incorporated into the king's empire, begin to obey him, abandoning the religion of their ancestors and submitting to the royal decrees, 20 I, my sons, and my brothers, will continue to follow the covenant of our fathers. 21 May God keep us from abandoning his Law and his commandments. 22 We will not heed the king's orders and we will not deviate from our religion neither to the right nor to the left." 23 As soon as he finished speaking, a Jew stepped forward in full view of everyone to offer a sacrifice on the altar of Modin according to the king's instructions. 24 Upon seeing this, Mattathias was inflamed with zeal and deeply indignant. Seized by righteous anger, he rushed upon the man and killed him on the altar. 25 He also killed the king's delegate, who wanted to force sacrifice, and destroyed the altar. 26 He burned with zeal for the Law, as Phinehas had done to Zimri, son of Salu. 27 And Mattathias went out shouting in a loud voice through the city: "Whoever loves the Law and wants to keep the covenant, come and follow me!" 28 Then he fled, he and his sons, to the mountains, abandoning all that they possessed in the city. 29 Also, many, followers of justice and righteousness, went down to the desert and settled there. The St. Jerome Biblical Reflection Group is an initiative of Bible teachers, whose purpose is to offer biblical-spiritual nourishment, a word of comfort and hope from the sacred text. Subscribe to our social networks and don't miss any reflections!!    / grbsaojeronimo     / grbsaojeronimo     / grbsaojeronimo