Scripture Daily

Context No. 1927 of 4322 · 1 Maccabees

Context · Reflection

1 Maccabees 5:14-20: in context

14While the letters were still being read, behold, other messengers came from Galilee with their clothes torn, bringing a similar report, 15saying, “People of Ptolemais, of Tyre, of Sidon, and all Galilee of the Gentiles have gathered together to destroy us.” 16Now when Judas and the people heard these words, a great congregation assembled together to determine what they should do for their kindred who were in distress and under attack. 17Judas said to Simon his brother, “Choose men and go deliver your kindred who are in Galilee, but Jonathan my brother and I will go into the land of Gilead.” 18He left Joseph the son of Zacharias, and Azarias, as leaders of the people, with the remnant of the army, in Judea, to guard it. 19He commanded them, saying, “Take charge of this people, and fight no battle with the Gentiles until we return.” 20Then three thousand men were assigned to go into Galilee with Simon, but eight thousand men were assigned to Judas to go into the land of Gilead.

As one report of attack is still being read, more messengers arrive with torn clothes: the surrounding peoples have gathered to destroy the Jews of Galilee and Gilead. Hearing this, Judas and the people assemble a great congregation to decide what to do for their kindred in distress. They do not ignore the danger to their brothers. Judas divides the forces: Simon to rescue those in Galilee, Judas and Jonathan to Gilead, others left to guard Judea. They mobilize at once to help their own who are under attack.

The response of Judas and the people to the news of their kindred's distress is worth noticing: they did not ignore it. When word came that their brothers in Galilee and Gilead were under attack, in danger of destruction, they gathered at once to decide what to do for them, and organized a rescue. The suffering of their own moved them to action; they felt it as their concern, and acted. There is a call here to respond to the distress of others, and especially of our own community, rather than ignoring it. It is easy to hear of others' suffering, even the suffering of those bound to us, and to feel it as distant, not our concern, something we can leave to others or simply not think about. Judas and the people did otherwise: hearing of their kindred in danger, they assembled and acted to help. If one member suffers, Paul says, all the members suffer with it; we are bound to one another, and the distress of our brothers and sisters is meant to move us, not to leave us indifferent. Let us do good to all, Scripture says, and especially to those of the household of faith. This is a summons to feel and to act on the troubles of others, our fellow believers, our neighbors, those in distress within our reach, rather than treating their suffering as none of our business. When we hear of others in danger or need, the question is whether we respond, as Judas and the people did, gathering to help, or whether we let it pass as distant and not our concern. The community that abandons its members in their distress, or the individual who ignores the suffering of others he could help, has forgotten the bond that ties God's people together. Judas heard of his kindred in danger and mobilized to rescue them; and the same responsiveness to the distress of others, feeling it and acting on it rather than ignoring it, is asked of us.

When I hear of others in distress, especially my fellow believers or those within my reach, do I feel it as distant and not my concern, leaving it to others, or can I respond as Judas and the people did, moved by the suffering of their kindred to gather and act, feeling the troubles of others as my own and acting to help?

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