We have in today's first reading an account of some event during a fierce persecution against the people of Israel. It tells the story of a well-respected Jewish scribe named Eleazar who was ninety years old and who steadfastly refused to betray the faith of his fathers, preferring death to practising idolatry. Some of his long-time friends, who had been persuaded to enforce Jewish compliance with pagan sacrifices, urged Eleazar privately to compromise and so save himself from execution. Yet Eleazar made a noble resolve to honour God and his holy law. The heroic decision was in accordance with his entire exemplary life. He was also anxious not to give bad example to the young, St John Chrysostom calls Eleazar "The protomartyr of the Old Testament". Eleazar's serene composure in the face of martyrdom is in some way a foretaste of the joy in persecution that Jesus promised to His disciples.

The Lord also grants this joy to those who persevere in the faith and their vocation, despite every type of contradiction. Yes, we Christians should also be loyal to the Lord. No amount of "peer pressure" or inconvenience should make us compromise our beliefs or our principles. With all our trust in the Lord, let us persevere in the little things of each day. Then we will have the immense joy of hearing the Lord saying to us: Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into my joy."