Weekday

From a Homily by St Valerian of Cimiez ¹

Dearly beloved, our yearning for eternal life is fired with great hope if from time to time we recall the deeds of individual martyrs. As often as the mother of the Maccabees occurs to our memory, our soul bestirs itself with a joy somehow far greater to love God and win his favor. By the encouragement she gave, she on one day put the crown of martyrdom on seven sons. She was just as strong in faith as she was fruitful in offspring.

In her case there are as many proofs of her virtues as she had sons. For, on one day she gave to the almighty God as many martyrs as she had gained sons on separate occasions of motherhood. Blessed is she among mothers, and more fortunate still in her bereavement! Her faith brought her this great blessing: to migrate on one day with all her offspring to the glory of the heavenly kingdom.

Turn your attention from her to that passage in the gospel which tells us that we should prefer neither parents nor children to Christ. Let it be, perhaps, with some a glorious thing, to be explained with salutary examples, that they have offered one son as a victim to God. This mother has exceeded all the power and wishes of souls – so much so that in the grief of her fierce suffering she did not let the affections of her motherly love keep back even one of her sons.

Furthermore, notice through how many degrees of virtue her precious faith grew. It is enough to acquiesce once. Yet, because of her love of the Lord, through her willing bereavement she did violence to her motherly love seven times. She was well aware of what she was about, since she knew that all her offspring were taking their place in that eternity of liffe, according to the scriptural statement: He who loves his life will lose it; and he who hates his life, keeps it to everlasting life.

O new and admirable example of virtue! A mother rejoices in her own bereavement, and her love gains profit from the same source which brought it loss After she has sent ahead her youngest son whom she loves so tenderly, she herself enters the way of glorious death. Pained for a short while by innumerable tortures, she followed her sons in triumph. Despising this short-lived light, she extended her grasp toward heavenly and eternal goods.

Therefore, dearly beloved, if any mother has anxiety for the children of her womb, let her imitate the numerous and brave examples this mother has left. If anyone has gazed on her with eagerness to emulate her, without any doubt he makes his way gifted with the honor of far greater glory. Hence, let any mother whatever judge her children worthy of this honor.

Furthermore, let those who serve Christ imitate the struggles of those brave men.

1A Word in Season – vol. VIII – Augustinian Press – 1999 – pg 234