How many of us are willing to have courage and willingness to sacrifice one's life to glorify God? Some of us may say that we are willing and ready to do so, but if we are really and actually put to the test or face a real possibility of being put to death, would we remain steadfast in our faith, and give glory to God? Would we be willing to lose our lives and even the lives of our families by remaining faithful? Or would we abandon our faith to save our skin or to save our families from annihilation?
Today's reading shows us an excellent example
of courage and willingness to sacrifice ones life to glorify God. The
reading tells us that "Eleazar, one of the foremost teachers of the Law,
a man already advanced in years and of most noble appearance, was being
forced to open his mouth wide to swallow pig’s flesh. But he, resolving
to die with honour rather than to live disgraced, went to the block of
his own accord, spitting the stuff out, the plain duty of anyone with
the courage to reject what it is not lawful to taste, even from a
natural tenderness for his own life."
What about us? Would we be willing to follow the example of Eleazar in today's reading, preferring
to die than to commit sin? While it is easy to say that we would remain faithful, it is certainly not easy to do so, especially when it involves our families. Let
us pray and continue to depend on God's help to stay true, just and
faithful to our duty as Catholics.
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