1 Maccabees 13:1-6: a reflection

1Simon heard that Tryphon had gathered together a mighty army to come into the land of Judah and destroy it utterly. 2He saw that the people were trembling in great fear. So he went up to Jerusalem and gathered the people together. 3He encouraged them, and said to them, “You yourselves know all the things that I, my kindred, and my father’s house have done for the laws and the sanctuary, and the battles and the distresses which we have seen. 4Because of this, all my brothers have perished for Israel’s sake, and I am left alone. 5Now be it far from me, that I should spare my own life in any time of affliction, for I am not better than my kindred. 6However, I will take vengeance for my nation, for the sanctuary, and for our wives and children, because all the Gentiles have gathered out of hatred to destroy us.”

The enemy is massing, the people are trembling with fear, and Simon steps forward. He is the last of his family left; all his brothers have already died fighting for their people. He could reasonably claim he has given enough, that it is someone else's turn. Instead he says, far be it from me to spare my own life in any time of affliction, for I am not better than my brothers.

Notice the heart of that. Simon will not exempt himself from the danger and cost he is asking others to bear. His brothers died; he will not hold his own life as more precious than theirs. I am not better than my brothers, he says, and so he shares fully in the risk, refusing the privilege of standing safely behind while others pay the price.

That is what true leadership looks like, and true solidarity. Not asking others to sacrifice while exempting yourself, but sharing the cost, standing in the danger, counting your own comfort no more precious than theirs. Wherever you have influence or leadership, over a family, a team, a community, Simon's word is a challenge: do not hold yourself above the sacrifice you ask of others. Say with him, I am not better than my brothers, and share the cost you would ask them to bear.

Lord, keep me from asking others to bear costs I exempt myself from. Give me Simon's heart, to say I am not better than my brothers, and to share fully in the risk and sacrifice rather than stand safely behind. Make me a servant, not a privileged spectator.