Catholics know! Every Revolution turns into another system of oppression. Our souls are made pleasing to God by loving all our neighbors.
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Question 1: “Who was Mattathias Maccabee?”
Answer: “Mattathias Maccabee began to fight Greek Profiteers of Protestantism in 166 BC. Greek Kings wanted the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin to reject God’s Teachings to Abraham and Moses that blessed them for the preceding 2,000 years.”
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Question 2: “Did Mattathias Maccabee have the courage to fight against the Greeks who were forcing people to disobey God?”
Answer: “The First Book of Maccabees explains in 1Mc 2:15-29: ‘The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to organize the sacrifices. Many of Israel joined them, but Mattathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.’”
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Question 3: “Were Mattathias and his family offered bribes to renounce God and serve the Greek King?”
Answer: “‘Then the officers of the king addressed Mattathias: ‘You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin. Come now, be the first to obey the king’s command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those who are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the King’s Friends, and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.’”
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Question 4: “Did Mattathias give into that great temptation?”
Answer: “‘But Mattathias answered in a loud voice: ‘Although all the Gentiles in the king’s realm obey him, so that each forsakes the religion of his fathers and consents to the king’s orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments. We will not obey the words of the king nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.’”
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Question 5: “Did the other Jewish people agree?”
Answer: “‘As Matthias finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modein according to the king’s order. When Mattathias saw him, he was filled with zeal; his heart was moved and his just fury was aroused; he sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.'”
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Question 6: “What did Matthias do after that?”
Answer: “‘At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. Thus he showed his zeal for the law,
just as Phinehas did with Zimri, son of Salu.
Then Mattathias went through the city shouting, ‘Let everyone who is zealous for the law
and who stands by the covenant follow after me!’ Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons, leaving behind in the city all their possessions. Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there.’
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Question 7: “Does Jesus want Catholics to follow the example of Mattathias Maccabee and his sons?”
Answer: “Jesus Fulfilled The Messianic Prophecies by taking Human Form on earth. He told us to ‘Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.’ and to ‘Do good to those who hurt you.’”
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Question 8: “When Catholics find ourselves selves oppressed by Profiteers of Protestantism in our time, do we follow the example of Jesus or that of Mattathias and The Maccabees?”
Answer: “Catholics see the fact: a hundred years after The Maccabees took over, their Hasmonean Kingdom became so weakened by corruption that the Romans took over and put Herod in charge.”
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Catholics see The Simple Truth of History: Armed Revolutions form new establishments that become as corrupt and oppressive as their predecessors. We think of the immortal souls of those who turn to oppression!
The awful fate that awaits such souls makes us pray they will be blessed to Think Clearly about where such souls must spend eternity. May all our beloved neighbors, like us Catholics, be blessed to ask Jesus for His Mercy and Guidance before we go to His Judgment.
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