Occurring Scripture for the
Hour of Matins
Fourth Week of October
Sunday
Lesson i
Here begins the Second Book of Machabees
II
Machabees 1:1-6
To the brethren the Jews that are
throughout Egypt, the brethren, the Jews that are in Jerusalem, and in the
land of Judea, send health, and good peace. May God be gracious to
you, and remember his covenant that he made with Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob, his faithful servants: And give you all a heart to worship him,
and to do his will with a great heart, and a willing mind. May he open your
heart in his law, and in his commandments, and send you peace. May he
hear your prayers, and be reconciled unto you, and never forsake you in the
evil time. And now here we are praying for you.
Lesson ii
II Machabees 1:7-17
When Demetrius reigned, in the year one
hundred and sixty-nine, we Jews wrote to you, in the trouble, and violence,
that came upon us in those years, after Jason withdrew himself from the holy
land, and from the kingdom. They burnt the gate, and shed innocent
blood: then we prayed to the Lord, and were heard, and we offered
sacrifices, and fine flour, and lighted the lamps, and set forth the loaves.
And now celebrate the days of Scenopegia in the month of Casleu.
In the year one hundred and eighty-eight, the people who are at Jerusalem,
and in Judea, and the senate, and Judas, to Aristobolus, the preceptor of
king Ptolemee, who is of the stock of the anointed priests, and to the Jews
that are in Egypt, health and welfare. Having been delivered by God
out of great dangers, we give him great thanks, forasmuch as we have been in
war with such a king. For he made numbers of men swarm out of Persia
that have fought against us, and the holy city. For when the leader
himself was in Persia, and with him a very great army, he fell in the temple
of Nanea, being deceived by the counsel of the priests of Nanea. For
Antiochus, with his friends, came to the place as though he would marry her,
and that he might receive great sums of money under the title of a dowry.
And when the priests of Nanea had set it forth, and he with a small company
had entered into the compass of the temple, they shut the temple, When
Antiochus had come in: and opening a secret entrance of the temple, they
cast stones and slew the leader, and them that were with him, and hewed them
in pieces, and cutting off their heads they threw them forth. Blessed
be God in all things, who hath delivered up the wicked.
Lesson iii
II Machabees 1:18-22
Therefore whereas we purpose to keep
the purification of the temple on the five and twentieth day of the month of
Casleu, we thought it necessary to signify it to you: that you also may keep
the day of Scenopegia, and the day of the fire, that was given when
Nehemias offered sacrifice, after the temple and the altar was built.
For when our fathers were led into Persia, the priests that then were
worshippers of God took privately the fire from the altar, and hid it in a
valley where there was a deep pit without water, and there they kept it
safe, so that the place was unknown to all men. But when many years
had passed, and it pleased God that Nehemias should be sent by the king of
Persia, he sent some of the posterity of those priests that had hid it, to
seek for the fire: and as they told us, they found no fire, but thick water.
Then he bade them draw it up, and bring it to him: and the priest Nehemias
commanded the sacrifices that were laid on, to be sprinkled with the same
water, both the wood, and the things that were laid upon it. And when
this was done, and the time came that the sun shone out, which before was in
a cloud, there was a great fire kindled, so that all wondered.
Lesson iv
Of Saint John Chrysostom
On Psalm 43
“We have heard with our ears, O God,
our fathers have told us, what Thou hast done in their time of old.” The
Prophet speaks thus in the Psalm, yet not in his own person, but in the
person of the Maccabees, relating and foretelling what events were to happen
at the time. For such are the Prophets: they outrun all times, past,
present, and future. But in order that our discussion of the subject may be
more intelligible, we must first state who were these Maccabees, and what
they suffered, and what they did. For when Antiochus, surnamed Epiphanes,
had invaded Judaea, and laid everything waste, and had forced many who then
dwelt there to fall away from the laws of their fathers, the Maccabees
remained unsullied by these temptations.
Lesson v
And when a serious war broke out, and
they could do nothing to help themselves, they hid themselves, as also in
aftertimes the Apostles did. For they did not always rush openly into the
midst of dangers, but sometimes fled, withdrawing thus to hide. However,
after one such short respite, they were like eager animals leaping out of
their caves and coming forth from their lairs, and they thereupon resolved
for the future, not to win safety for themselves only, but for others,
whomsoever they could. And going through all that city and country, they
gathered together as many as they found who were still healthy and
steadfast; and even many who were weak, and had been corrupted, they
persuaded to return to the Law of their fathers.
Lesson vi
For they told them that
God is merciful and gracious, and that He has never deprived men of that
salvation which is obtained by penitence. And, so saying, they raised a levy
of the most valiant men. For they fought not for their wives, their children
and servants, or because of the ruin and captivity of their fatherland, but
for the Law, and the religion of their fathers. Now their leader was God.
Therefore, when they arrayed their battle line, and put their lives in
jeopardy, they overthrew their adversaries because they trusted not in arms,
but considered that the just cause of their war was in itself a good armor.
Moreover, when they went forth to the conflict, they uttered no bombast, nor
sang battle songs, as some do; nor did they call together musicians, as is
done in other armies; but they invoked the help of the Most High God, that
He might be with them, and aid them, and strengthen their hand, because that
war which they waged was for His glory.
Monday
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Machabees
II
Machabees 2:1-3
Now it is found in the
descriptions of Jeremias the prophet, that he commanded them that went into
captivity, to take the fire, as it had been signified, and how he gave
charge to them that were carried away into captivity. And how he gave
them the law that they should not forget the commandments of the Lord, and
that they should not err in their minds, seeing the idols of gold, and
silver, and the ornaments of them. And with other such like speeches,
he exhorted them that they would not remove the law from their heart.
Lesson ii
II Machabees 2:4-6
It was also contained in the same
writing, how the prophet, being warned by God, commanded that the tabernacle
and the ark should accompany him, till he came forth to the mountain where
Moses went up, and saw the inheritance of God. And when Jeremias came
thither he found a hollow cave: and he carried in thither the tabernacle,
and the ark, and the altar of incense, and so stopped the door. Then
some of them that followed him, came up to mark the place: but they could
not find it.
Lesson iii
II Machabees 2:7-9
And when Jeremias perceived it, he
blamed them, saying: "The place shall be unknown, till God gathers together
the congregation of the people, and receives them to mercy. And then
the Lord will show these things, and the majesty of the Lord shall appear,
and there shall be a cloud as it was also showed to Moses, and he showed it
when Solomon prayed that the place might be sanctified to the great God.
For he treated wisdom in a magnificent manner: and like a wise man, he
offered the sacrifice of the dedication, and of the finishing of the
temple."
Tuesday
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Machabees
II
Machabees 3:1-4
Therefore when the holy
city was inhabited with all peace, and the laws as yet were very well kept,
because of the godliness of Onias the high priest, and the hatred his soul
had of evil, It came to pass that even the kings themselves, and the
princes esteemed the place worthy of the highest honour, and glorified the
temple with very great gifts: So that Seleucus king of Asia allowed
out of his revenues all the charges belonging to the ministry of the
sacrifices. But one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin, who was appointed
overseer of the temple, strove in opposition to the high priest, to bring
about some unjust thing in the city.
Lesson ii
II Machabees 3:5-8
And when he could not overcome Onias he went to
Apollonius the son of Tharseas, who at that time was governor of Celesyria
and Phenicia: And told him, that the treasury in Jerusalem was full of
immense sums of money, and the common store was infinite, which did not
belong to the account of the sacrifices: and that it was possible to bring
all into the king's hands. Now when Apollonius had given the king notice
concerning the money that he was told of, he called for Heliodorus, who had
the charge over his affairs, and sent him with commission to bring him the
foresaid money. So Heliodorus forthwith began his journey, under color of visiting the cities of Celesyria and Phenicia, but indeed to
fulfill the king's purpose.
Lesson iii
II Machabees 3:9-12
And when he was come to Jerusalem, and
had been courteously received in the city by the high priest, he told him
what information had been given concerning the money: and declared the cause
for which he was come: and asked if these things were so indeed. Then the
high priest told him that these were sums deposited, and provisions for the
subsistence of the widows and the fatherless. And that some part of that which wicked Simon had
given intelligence of, belonged to Hircanus son of Tobias, a man of great
dignity: and that the whole was four hundred talents of silver, and two
hundred of gold: But that to deceive them who had trusted to the place
and temple which is honored throughout the whole world, for the reverence
and holiness of it, was a thing which could not by any means be done.
Wednesday
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Machabees
II
Machabees 3:23-25
But Heliodorus executed
that which he had resolved on, himself being present in the same place with
his guard about the treasury. But the spirit of the almighty God gave
a great evidence of his presence, so that all that had presumed to obey him,
falling down by the power of God, were struck with fainting and dread. For there appeared to them a horse with
a terrible rider upon him, adorned with a very rich covering: and he ran
fiercely and struck Heliodorus with his fore feet, and he that sat upon him
seemed to have armor of gold.
Lesson ii
II Machabees 3:26-29
Moreover there appeared two other young men beautiful
and strong, bright and glorious, and in comely apparel: who stood by him, on
either side, and scourged him without ceasing with many stripes. And Heliodorus
suddenly fell to the ground, and they took him up covered with great
darkness, and having put him into a litter they carried him out. So he
that came with many servants, and all his guard into the aforesaid treasury,
was carried out, no one being able to help him, the manifest power of God
being known. And he indeed by the power of God lay speechless, and
without any hope of recovery.
Lesson iii
II Machabees 3:30-34
But they praised the Lord because He
had glorified His place: and the temple, that a little before was full of
fear and trouble, when the almighty Lord appeared, was filled with joy and
gladness. Then some of the friends of Heliodorus forthwith
begged of Onias, that he would call upon the most High to grant him his
life, who was ready to give up the ghost. So the high priest
considering that the king might perhaps suspect that some mischief had been
done to Heliodorus by the Jews, offered a sacrifice of health for the
recovery of the man. And when the high priest was praying, the same
young men in the same clothing stood by Heliodorus, and said to him: "Give
thanks to Onias the priest: because for his sake the Lord has granted you
life. And you having been scourged by God, declare unto all men the
great works and the power of God." And having spoken thus, they appeared no
more.
Thursday
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Machabees
II
Machabees 4:1-5
But Simon, of whom we spoke before, and
of his country, spoke ill of Onias, as though he had incited Heliodorus to
do these things, and had been the promoter of evils: And he presumed
to call him a traitor to the kingdom, who provided for the city, and
defended his nation, and was zealous for the law of God. But when the
enmities proceeded so far, that murders also were committed by some of
Simon's friends: Onias considering the danger of this contention, and that
Apollonius, who was the governor of Celesyria and Phenicia, was outrageous,
which increased the malice of Simon, went to the king, not to be an accuser
of his countrymen, but with a view to the common good of all the people.
Lesson ii
II Machabees 4:6-9
For he saw that, except
the king took care, it was impossible that matters should be settled in
peace, or that Simon would cease from his folly. But after the death
of Seleucus, when Antiochus, who was called the Illustrious, had taken
possession of the kingdom, Jason the brother of Onias ambitiously sought the
high priesthood: And went to the king, promising him three hundred and
sixty talents of silver, and out of other revenues fourscore talents.
Besides this he promised also a hundred and fifty more, if he might have
license to set him up a place for exercise, and a place for youth, and to
call those who were at Jerusalem, "Antiochians."
Lesson iii
II Machabees 4:10-11
Which when the king had granted, and he
had gotten the rule into his hands, forthwith he began to bring over his
countrymen to the fashion of the heathens. And abolishing those
things, which had been decreed of special favor by the kings in behalf of
the Jews, by the means of John the father of that Eupolemus, who went
ambassador to Rome to make amity and alliance, he annulled the lawful
ordinances of the citizens, and brought in fashions that were perverse.
Friday
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Machabees
II
Machabees 5:1-4
At the same time Antiochus prepared for
a second journey into Egypt. And it came to pass that through the
whole city of Jerusalem for the space of forty days there were seen horsemen
running in the air, in gilded raiment, and armed with spears, like bands of
soldiers. And horses set in order by ranks, running one against another,
with the shakings of shields, and a multitude of men in helmets, with drawn
swords, and casting of darts, and glittering of golden armor, and of
harnesses of all sorts. Wherefore all men prayed that these prodigies
might turn to good.
Lesson ii
II Machabees 5:5-7
Now when there was gone forth a false
rumor, as though Antiochus had been dead, Jason taking with him no fewer
than a thousand men, suddenly assaulted the city: and though the citizens
ran together to the wall, the city at length was taken, and Menelaus fled
into the castle. But Jason slew his countrymen without mercy, not
considering that prosperity against one's own kindred is a very great evil,
thinking they had been enemies, and not citizens, whom he conquered.
Yet he did not get the principality, but received confusion at the end, for
the reward of his treachery, and fled again into the country of the
Ammonites.
Lesson iii
II Machabees 5:8-10
At the last having been shut up by
Aretas the king of the Arabians, in order for his destruction, flying from
city to city, hated by all men, as a foresaker of the laws, and execrable,
as an enemy of his country and countrymen, he was thrust out into Egypt:
And he who had driven many out of their country, perished in a strange land,
going to Lacedemon, as if for kindred sake he should have refuge there:
But he that had cast out many unburied, was himself cast forth both
unlamented and unburied, neither having foreign burial, nor being partaker
of the sepulcher of his fathers.
Saturday
Lesson i
A reading from the Second Book of Machabees
II
Machabees 6:1-4
But not long after the
king sent a certain old man of Antioch, to compel the Jews to depart from
the laws of their fathers and of God: And to defile the temple that
was in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius: and that in
Gazarim of Jupiter Hospitalis, according as they were that inhabited the
place. And very bad was this invasion of evils and grievous to all.
For the temple was full of the riot and reveling of the Gentiles: and of men
lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves of their accord into the
holy places, and brought in things that were not lawful.
Lesson ii
II Machabees 6:5-10
`The altar also was filled
with unlawful things, which were forbidden by the laws. And neither
were the Sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the fathers observed, neither
did any man plainly profess himself to be a Jew. But they were led by
bitter constraint on the king's birthday to the sacrifices: and when the
feast of Bacchus was kept, they were compelled to go about crowned with ivy
in honour of Bacchus. And there went out a decree into the neighboring
cities of the Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also
should act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice:
And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the Gentiles,
should be put to death: then was misery to be seen. For two women were
accused to have circumcised their children: whom, when they had openly led
about through the city with the infants hanging at their breasts, they threw
down headlong from the walls.
Lesson iii
II Machabees 6:11-17
And others that had met together in
caves that were near, and were keeping the Sabbath day privately, being
discovered by Philip, were burnt with fire, because they made it a matter of
conscience not to help themselves with their hands, by reason of the
religious observance of the day. Now I beseech those that shall read
this book, that they be not shocked at these calamities, but that they
consider the things that happened, not as being for the destruction, but for
the correction of our nation. For it is a token of great goodness when
sinners are not suffered to go on in their ways for a long time, but are
presently punished. For, not as with other nations (whom the Lord
patiently expects, that when the day of judgment shall come, He may punish
them in the fullness of their sins:) Does He also deal with us, so as
to suffer our sins to come to their height, and then take vengeance on us.
And therefore He never withdraws His mercy from us: but though He chastise
His people with adversity, He forsakes them not. But let this suffice
in a few words for a warning to the readers. And now we must come to the
narration.
If the third lesson is to be taken
from the Saturday Office of the Blessed Virgin or from a simplex feast of a
Saint,
Lessons ii and iii above are concatenated.