The books of the Maccabees describes a time of great trial in Israel. The Greek conquerors tried to impose a common religion on their realm and there was violent resistance from the Jewish people. Eventually they won their independence but there was terrible suffering during the war. There are many stories in the books about the martyrdom of Jews loyal to the faith. This experience occasioned some soul-searching in God’s chosen people. Traditionally, the immortality that one hoped for was in your children. The unmerited suffering during this period led to a deeper understanding of the ways of God that included the divine gift of eternal life. In our own lives, we should continually reflect on the ways of God so far beyond our ways.
