Day 291: The rise of king alexander

1 Maccabees 10:1-66 Alexander Epiphanes entered into a conflict with Demetrius over control of the empire, and both sought an alliance with Jonathan and Israel. Demetrious offered many generous concessions, but, due to his lack of credibility, Jonathan sided with Alexander. Ultimately, Alexander defeated Demetrious and named Jonathan high priest, general, and governor. Jonathan then had full civil and religious authority in Israel. 


Ch 10:67-89 Demetrius II, son of Demetrius, arrived with an army under Apollonius and was determined to recover his father’s throne. He attacked Israel first, but Jonathan and Simon emerged victorious, much to the delight of Alexander. 


Sirach 26:1-29 The author praised the good wives who were replete with virtue and, by contrast, severely criticized those wives who lacked virtue as well as women who cast about aimlessly, lacking self-control. Christ restored definitively the rightful and equal dignity of women, which was not sufficiently recognized in the ancient world. 


Ch 26:18 Other ancient authorities add verses 19-27: “My son, keep sound the bloom of your youth, and do not give your strength to strangers. Seek a fertile field within the whole plain, and sow it with your own seed, trusting in your fine stock. So your offspring will survive and, having confidence in their good descent, will grow great. A harlot is regarded as spittle, and a married woman as a tower of death to her lovers. A godless wife is given as a portion to a lawless man, but a pious wife is given to the man who fears the Lord. A shameless woman constantly acts disgracefully, but a modest daughter will even be embarrassed before her husband. A headstrong wife is regarded as a dog, but one who has a sense of shame will fear the Lord. A wife honoring her husband will seem wise to all, but if she dishonors him in her pride she will be known to all as ungodly. Happy is the husband of a good wife; for the number of his years will be doubled. A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is regarded as a war trumpet for putting the enemy to flight, and every person like this lives in the anarchy of war. “


Ch 27:1-30 Diligence in judgment and discretion in speech are included among the many practical counsels conveyed in this chapter.


Ch 27:4 A man’s filth remains in his thoughts: Christ identified “evil thoughts” as the source of sinful action that comes from the heart and defiles a person (cf. Mt 15:18-20). The first line of battle in keeping one’s conduct virtuous takes place in the mind and heart. Sparks of passion, whether of anger or lust, must be overcome when they arise initially in the mind and heart. (CCC 2847)


Ch 27:16 The Eighth Commandment calls us to be truthful always. The commitment to speaking truthfully must be compatible with discretion in disclosing information. Some information cannot be revealed for the sake of a person’s good name, interests of privacy, or the common good; when a subject matter is of a sensitive nature, it is unjust to share knowledge of it since in many instances it compromises a person’s reputation or even the respect he or she deserves among family or peers. (CCC 2489)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)



Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you praise and thanks. Oh gosh, thank you for this day. Thank you for the Word, your Word, which is planted in our minds and in our heart. Help it to bear fruit. Help us to bear fruit by listening to your Word and seeing the world the way you see the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”