Sunday Spiritual Reflection:Yesterdays Sins -Todays Celebrations

 Catholic

32nd Sunday of Ordinary times.

Before we talk about one of the readings of today it is important to put a date stamp of this reading as many are not familiar with the Old Testament. Maccabees is broken down into 2 books both small as scripture goes. They are placed last in the Douai version(historical writings) of the Old Testament. The books are subject written with little regard for time sequencing. The first book 1Maccabees to one man Judas, third son of the priest Mattathias covers an historical period approximately 175BC-134BC & 2Maccabees 180BC-161BC. Why this is so important before we discuss theme is so many people believe  Old Testament writings went dark meaning stoped with the book of Malachi around 455BC. His book was part of Prophetic books not Historical books as Macccabees. Now theme!

Todays first reading deals with 1 mother and 7 sons tortured and forced to eat pork. Eating pork was a strict forbidden law for the Jewish people. Those Mosaic Laws can be found in the Pentateuch books that make up the Torah which most Jewish people still follow today depending on persuasion. We will discuss the theory of Persuasion at some point. In short summary all of the family perished for their belief and believe God would stand with them with salvation. 

Fast forward to today. Pork? Alcohol? Sustainable Nutrition? What sacrifices do we place on ourselves today to be grounded. It isn’t so much the substance of the food items as much as it is the big question. What in our lives regarding the self  are we willing to sacrifice on the hope for a better next life with many stops in our daily life. One thing through out this Old Testament that’s pretty revealing was the resolve of the Jewish people. Strong will and tenacious resolve, characteristics even worth dying for on a cross.

K~