coupons for the culture of death

1 Maccabees 1:10-63; Ps 119 Give me life, O Lord, I will do your commands; Luke 18:35-43

"In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people, saying let us go make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us...Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, each abandoning his particular customs...all gentiles conformed to the command of the king, and many children of Israel were in favor of his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath." 1 Maccabees 1

The Maccabees are the last of the historical books of the Old Testament, written around 134 b.c.

The pagan mindset begins to take over the nation of Israel. A few people begin to persuade and seduce the nation to abandon its roots, its faith. SLowly, the Israelites become a minority yet they remain steadfast to their faith, refusing to surrender to the popular demand of the seductive voices of the time.


Sounds a lot like our society today. How many seductive voices are trying to get people of faith to abandon their roots and to give into the pressure of the popular culture, secularism and materialism. How often are we told that we should just all set aside our beliefs in order to become one people, who stand for nothing.

Sounds familiar.

The beauty of the maccabean line is they refuse to give in. THey hold fast in the fast of opposition. They are not seduced by the voices of the "modern" critics of their time. They guard their heritage, their faith. THey refuse to be unclean and be defiled.

They consider themselves custodians of the truth they have received in the covenant God made with them. They were "determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die."

Every time we turn around our faith is being challenged and poked at. Every time we turn around defilement is upon us. Recently i came across an article where a abortionist doctor, in Orlando, florida, is advertising coupons for abortion that are only valid on Sundays.

"Dr. James Pendergraft, a Florida abortionist who earlier this year was order to pay $36 million in damages after a botched abortion left a baby alive, but severely disabled, is now attempting to attract clients to his Orlando Women’s Center by offering a coupon for abortions, valid on Sundays only.

The coupon, which can be used to kill an unborn baby up to 24 weeks old, is advertised on the main page of the Center’s website.

“Limited time special! Print this page and bring it in for $50 savings only on Sundays!” reads the coupon. “VALID FOR ABORTIONS PERFORMED BY 5/31/12. You must present this page to the receptionist at the time of the abortion ON SUNDAYS ONLY. $50 credit towards cost of abortion. No cash value.”

Coupons for the culture of death.

Think about the disgrace and sacrilege of such an invitation.

The Maccabees situation is not unlike our situation. And like them, we too as people of faith must resolve our hearts to stand fast and to counter such realities with increased fervor and faithfulness.

Hear the words of Christ from the gospel this morning, "Have sight; your faith has saved you."

Indeed, sight is necessary and faith shall pave the way, lest we fall into darkness. "He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God."

Jesus offers us life and all of its benefits, who needs coupons for death.

Just a quote:

I’d rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I’d rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might-have-been has never been, but a has was once an are. — Milton Berle