2 Maccabees 15:12-16: a reflection

12The vision of that dream was this: Onias, he who had been high priest, a noble and good man, modest in bearing, yet gentle in manner and well-spoken, and trained from a child in all points of virtue, with outstretched hands invoking blessings on the whole body of the Jews. 13Then he saw a man appear, of venerable age and exceeding glory, and the dignity around him was wonderful and most majestic. 14Onias answered and said, “This is the lover of the kindred, he who prays much for the people and the holy city: Jeremiah the prophet of God. 15Jeremiah stretched out his right hand and delivered to Judas a gold sword, and in giving it addressed him thus: 16“Take this holy sword, a gift from God, with which you shall strike down the adversaries.”

Before a great battle, Judas is given an encouraging dream. He sees Onias, the former high priest, a good and noble man, with hands outstretched, praying for the whole people. And he sees another figure of great dignity, who Onias says is Jeremiah the prophet, who loves the people and prays much for them and the holy city. And Jeremiah gives Judas a sword, saying, Take this holy sword, a gift from God. The dream encourages Judas: the faithful who have gone before still care for the people, and God equips him for the task.

Notice two things in the dream that encouraged Judas. First, the sense that the faithful who have gone before, Onias and Jeremiah, still care for and pray for the people. Judas was not alone; he was surrounded, as it were, by the prayers and care of the faithful departed, who still loved the people and interceded for them. And second, God's equipping: Jeremiah gives Judas a sword from God, a sign that God would provide what was needed for the task before him. Cared for by the faithful, and equipped by God, Judas was encouraged.

Both are encouragements we can share. First, we are not alone in the life of faith; we are surrounded by a great company of the faithful, those who have gone before, who cared for God's people and whose example and witness still encourage us. And second, God equips us for what he calls us to; he does not send us to a task without providing what we need for it. When you face a daunting task, take encouragement, as Judas did: you are not alone, but surrounded by the witness of the faithful who have gone before; and God will equip you for what he calls you to, providing what you need, as Jeremiah gave Judas the sword. Draw courage from the great company of the faithful, and trust God to equip you for the task before you, rather than facing it alone and unequipped.

Lord, before a great battle, Judas was given an encouraging dream: he saw Onias the former high priest praying for the people with outstretched hands, and Jeremiah the prophet, who loves the people and prays much for them, who gave Judas a sword, saying, take this holy sword, a gift from God. Let both encouragements in the dream be mine. First, the sense that I am not alone in the life of faith; I am surrounded by a great company of the faithful, those who have gone before, who cared for your people and whose example and witness still encourage me. And second, your equipping: you do not send me to a task without providing what I need for it. When I face a daunting task, help me take encouragement, as Judas did: that I am not alone, but surrounded by the witness of the faithful who have gone before; and that you will equip me for what you call me to, providing what I need. Help me draw courage from the great company of the faithful, and trust you to equip me for the task before me, Lord, rather than facing it alone and unequipped. Encourage and equip me for what you call me to.