Lessons of Maccabees and Acts Still Relevant Today

Sisters,
I have been reading The Mystical Body: Meditations on the Acts of the Apostles and the Books of Maccabees by Eduardo P. Olaguer Jr.

The author of this book points out many similarities between the ACTS and the Maccabeean eras.  Maccabees took place just before Jesus was born and many of their struggles prefigured the struggles of the early church.

In particular, Olaguer writes " The lessons of Maccabees and Acts are especially relevant today...Christians are in the present time confronted with an increasingly intolerant world culture that insidiously promotes many things contrary to the commandments of God.  To defend the Jewish faith, the Maccabeees had to continually resist the wily schemes of the Seleucid kings.  Faithful members of the Church likewise face the challenge of preserving Christian values while the cosmocrators attempt to enshrine an alternative system of living.  Despite this situation, the Church is still growing as in the early days of the Acts of the Apostles, especially in the global south which has yet to be permeated with the culture of death.  The gospel that St. Paul preached to the Gentiles continues to be proclaimed around the world despite the spirit of Antichrist.  Sooner or later, the intolerance of the world system will once again require the shedding of blood, not in the angry vein of Islanic fundamentalists, but in the faithful, hopeful, and loving Way of the first Christian martyrs."

The author is convinced of a new round of persecutions against the Church. And, haven't we seen the beginning of this in our own country?

He further sites a passage from Daniel..." And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods.  He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is determined shall be done."  Dan 11:36

Yes!  We have seen this kingship of relativism that has swept through our society.  Sin is relative, truth is relative and we have made gods of our own desires and needs.  Ah, but there is a remedy sisters...

"To better prepare for that day, let us think with the mind of the Mystical Body of Christ-the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.  Let us remember our origins and our forefathers in faith, who even now look upon us with sympathy and willingly come to our aid.  Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us!"

I see the persecution of the Christians in the Holy Land as but a precursor to the persecutions yet to come.  I suppose that is why the Holy Spirit in His wisdom has found courageous saints in our age for us to follow.    But sisters, "Be Not Afraid!"  He goes before us ALWAYS!

King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
Protect your pilgrim church on earth.
Help us to gird our loins and be steadfast in our loyalty.
Help us to have  the wisdom and courage to defend the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church wherever she is attacked.
Pray for us brothers and sisters in heaven, that we may have the courage and Love of the martyrs!
Amen