It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law. (2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110622.cfm
One of the great passages from the Books of the Maccabees. And also one that is almost never preached in Colombia . . . where the bigger the chicharrón (fried pork skin with meat attached) the better rating the restaurant! Of course the passage is preached in Colombia but without much mention of the reason for the martyrdom of the 7 sons and their mother. Matriarchs and strong women of faith are a blessing in Colombia—along with the chicharrones! And even though it is not included in today’s reading, the writer brings the whole passage to a merciful end: “Enough has been said about the sacrificial meals and the excessive cruelties” (2 Mc 7:42).
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
XXXII Sunday, Ordinary Time
