Many of the Israelites were forsaking their religion to conform to the king's decree but when Mattathias and his sons wanted no part of this, the king tried to persuade him to also forsake his ancestral religion as Mattathias was a respected man in the community and so was influential. But Mattathias was true to himself and refused the king even when offered material wealth. When Mattathias saw a Jew placing a sacrifice on the altar he became outraged and killed the Jew and the king's commissioner tore down the altar. Mattathias was a man who knew what was right and he had the courage and faith to follow his convictions, even faced with much opposition. There is a lesson here for all of us, to make the decision to follow Christ and have everlasting peace with God rather than choose the wrong road which often seems easier.

In this Gospel Jesus tells us to listen to the word of God and to live out its message. Jesus wept tears for Jerusalem because its people had not listened to or understood God's message of peace and now their enemies would overthrow and destroy them. We are given every opportunity to follow God and if we can tune in to ourselves and to Him, He will not lead us astray but help and encourage us to do what is right.