1 Mc. 6:1-13 | Ps. 9:2-4, 6, 16, 19 | Lk. 20:27-40

King Antiochus pillages many cities.  However he is foiled by the people who rise up against him in several places.  He hears that the Israelites have built a wall around Jerusalem and the temple which he had destroyed.  He seems to go into depression and repents the evil he has done.  He regrets this evil as he lies on his deathbed.

Jesus is able to teach the people about the kingdom of God.  He wants them to know that those who live good lives and respect the work of God will be rewarded in heaven.  He tells the scribes that God is the God of the living not the dead.  We are called to believe that and to live daily with God in such a way that we will not go into depression as Antiochus did.  Living in, through and for love of God, we will not have to worry about the future.  God will reward us with eternal happiness.  

Reflect on your daily living.  Do you live out of love?  How can you love God and God’s people more fully?