2 Maccabees, 6
18. Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, and of a well favoured countenance, was constrained to open his mouth, and to eat swine's flesh.
18. Eleazar, one of the principal scribes, an aged man, and of a well favoured countenance, was constrained to open his mouth, and to eat swine's flesh.
Chapter 6 of 2 Maccabees reports the persecution of the Jews by King Antiochus Epiphanes, who prohibited the practice of Judaism and demanded that the Jews worship the Greek gods. Moreover, many Jews were tortured and killed for refusing to obey the king's orders. Below are five verses related to this theme:
2 Maccabees 6:9: "Whoever did not submit to the king's order would be condemned to death." This verse shows the cruelty of King Antiochus Epiphanius, who threatened to kill those who did not follow his orders.
2 Maccabees 6:12: "It happened that some men, near the lake, who refused to contaminate themselves, were arrested and taken to the king." This verse illustrates the courage of those who preferred to die to disobey the laws of God.
2 Maccabees 6:18: "He ordered his tongues to be torn, to be torn his hairy leathers, and to cut their fingertips." This verse describes the cruel torture that the Jews suffered because of their faith.
2 Maccabees 6:30: "Being about to die under the blows, he sighed deeply and said, 'The Lord, because of his holy science, knows perfectly that, although I could escape death, I am being subjected to cruel pain in My body, under the killer of the executioners, but in my soul, I rejoice with the hope I have that the Lord raseth me one day. ' This verse shows the faith and courage of those who died in the name of their religion.
2 Maccabees 6:31: "After these words, he surrendered to death with all his soul, leaving in his martyrdom a model of courage and awaiting the Lord the reconciliation with his brothers." This verse emphasizes the importance of courage and faith in difficult times and trust in God even in the face of death.
“Comunguemos com santo temor e com grande amor.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
