[Editor's Note — This article is the third in a series on the theme: “Being Men of Valor in Our Everyday Lives.” Click here to read the first article and the second article.]
2 Maccabees 6:18-31
Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes, a man of advanced age and noble appearance, was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork. But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement, he spat out the meat, and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture, as men ought to do who have the courage to reject the food which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.
Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately, because of their long acquaintance with him, and urged him to bring meat of his own providing, such as he could legitimately eat, and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice prescribed by the king; in this way he would escape the death penalty, and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him. But he made up his mind in a noble manner, worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age, the merited distinction of his gray hair, and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood; and so he declared that above all he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.
He told them to send him at once to the abode of the dead, explaining: “At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense; many young men would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar had gone over to an alien religion. Should I thus dissimulate for the sake of a brief moment of life, they would be led astray by me, while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age. Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men, I shall never, whether alive or dead, escape the hands of the Almighty. Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now, I will prove myself worthy of my old age, and I will leave to the young a noble example of how to die willingly and generously for the revered and holy laws.”
He spoke thus, and went immediately to the instrument of torture. Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed, now became hostile toward him because what he had said seemed to them utter madness.
When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: “The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him.”
This is how he died, leaving in his death a model of courage and an unforgettable example of virtue not only for the young but for the whole nation.
Background
The books of 1 and 2 Maccabees tell the story of the struggles of the Jewish people against the tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanes, who became ruler over the land of Judah about 170 years before Christ. It is an inspirational account of how a ragtag band of brave men overthrew a great tyrant and rededicated the temple in Jerusalem — an event commemorated in the rituals of Hanukkah. It is also the story of men and women martyred by Antiochus’ men. One of those was Eleazar, an elderly teacher of the law.
Being a Man of Valor
The story of Eleazar’s martyrdom in 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 powerfully illustrates how faith can produce valor in a man. It is also an example of how prayer and trusting obedience to God’s word can shape our character and empower us to overcome every fear, even the fear of death. And when our character is shaped by faith in Christ, our actions will have a powerful impact on other people.
The witness of the venerable Eleazar also suggests that the elderly among God’s people are sometimes the first to be called to demonstrate unswerving faith in God. The persecution that led to Eleazar’s death emerged from a powerful political and cultural threat to Hebrew life bent on replacing Jewish laws and religious beliefs with pagan rituals. It doesn’t take a leap of faith to see in our own time the ways the world attacks the principles and morals of our Judeo-Christian heritage. We may not face physical death, but spiritual death is all too prevalent a threat for each of us as Catholic men.
Eleazar knew that his actions had ramifications far beyond his own life. He was careful not to scandalize the other members of the Jewish community, especially the young men and women who looked up to him. What he lacked in worldly power he made up for with strength of character. Listen to his final words, when he was told he could escape death by just pretending to eat unclean food: “Even though for the moment I avoid execution by man, I can never, living or dead, avoid the grasp of the Almighty. Therefore, if I am man enough to quit this life here and now, I shall prove myself worthy of my old age, and I shall have left the young a noble example of how to make a good death, eagerly and generously, for the venerable and holy laws” (2 Maccabees 6:26-28).
In contrast to the noble death of Eleazar, the unbelievers of his time, who had enormous political and military power at their disposal, eventually suffered defeat because of their character defects. All of these defects stemmed, in one way or another, from lack of faith.
Conclusion
Eleazar is certainly not a household word when it comes to men of the Bible. Most of us, unless we are Old Testament scholars, have never heard of him (I doubt if he made any top 50 lists). But what an impact this man of valor had on his family and on his nation — in fact on many generations that followed (including ours right now). Eleazar’s example should inspire us and move us to look at our own lives to see whether they are a good example. We don’t live in a vacuum. What we do affects other people. Eleazar knew this and chose to be faithful to God. He suffered with a joyful soul because he trusted in God’s faithfulness (2 Maccabees 6:30). We may never be called to suffer as Eleazar did; nevertheless, let’s all seek to imitate the faithfulness, conviction, and courage of this great man of valor. We, too, as we remain faithful to the Lord’s commandments and his word to us, can also impact our families, and even the whole world.
(This article by Maurice Blumberg was part of the Catholic Men’s E-zine, “Being Men of Valor in Our Everyday Lives” (January–February 2002 issue), which is available on the NFCM website. You may e-mail them at info@nfcmusa.org. Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to use material from their daily meditations. Used with permission.)
Reflection Questions on Page 2
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. What is the relationship between inward faithfulness and outward actions? How does our faith empower us to live holy lives as men of valor?
2. In what way does Eleazar’s noble death reinforce God’s call in your own life to remain faithful to his covenant with you and your covenant with him — no matter what the circumstances or the cost?
3. In what ways can your actions as Christian men affect others for either good or bad?
4. What about your own religious beliefs and faith? Are they just a personal matter, or are they meant to be shared? Describe a time when you have shared your faith, and the impact it had on the other person.
5. What are some steps that you can take to deepen your faith and incorporate more of it into your daily life? (For example, daily prayer, daily mass, more frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, etc.)
6. Consider saying the following prayer every day for a week, and sharing its impact with the men in your faith group or other men you are close to.
Lord Jesus, you have called me to be a light in this darkened world. By your Spirit, empower me and give me the courage to hold fast to you in all circumstances, not just for my own sake, but for the sake of those whose lives I can touch.
