1 Maccabees 5:14-20: a reflection

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 Judas and his people receive urgent news that their kindred in Galilee and Gilead are under attack and in distress, they do not ignore the plea. A great assembly gathers to decide what to do for their brothers who were in distress; and they organize a response, dividing their forces to go to the aid of their endangered kindred on both fronts. The distress of their brothers was not someone else's problem; the whole community took responsibility to help them.

Notice the community's response to the distress of their brethren: they took collective responsibility to help. When word came that their kindred were in danger, they did not say it was not their concern, or leave the endangered to fend for themselves; they gathered, took counsel, and organized a rescue, sending forces to help their brothers on both fronts. The distress of some was the concern of all; the community rallied to help its endangered members. They would not abandon their brethren in distress.

That collective responsibility for brethren in distress is worth taking to heart. When members of our own community, our fellow believers, our brothers and sisters, are in distress or danger, it is easy to treat it as someone else's problem, to leave the afflicted to fend for themselves. But Judas and his people took collective responsibility, rallying to help their endangered kindred. When your brothers and sisters are in distress or danger, do not treat it as not your concern, leaving them to fend for themselves; take responsibility to help, as Judas and his people rallied to help their kindred. The distress of our brethren is the concern of all who belong to the same body; do not abandon those in distress, but rally to help, as this community rallied to rescue its endangered members. Take responsibility for the distress of your brothers and sisters, rather than leaving them to face it alone.

Lord, when Judas and his people received urgent news that their kindred were under attack and in distress, they did not ignore it; a great assembly gathered to decide what to do for their brothers, and they organized a rescue, dividing their forces to help their endangered kindred on both fronts. Show me their collective responsibility for brethren in distress. When members of my own community, my fellow believers, my brothers and sisters, are in distress or danger, it is easy to treat it as someone else's problem, to leave the afflicted to fend for themselves. But Judas and his people took collective responsibility, rallying to help their endangered kindred. When my brothers and sisters are in distress or danger, keep me from treating it as not my concern, leaving them to fend for themselves; help me take responsibility to help, as Judas and his people rallied to help their kindred. The distress of our brethren is the concern of all who belong to the same body; keep me from abandoning those in distress, and help me rally to help, Lord, as this community rallied to rescue its endangered members. Help me take responsibility for my brothers and sisters in distress, rather than leaving them to face it alone.