On November 8, the members of the Dominican family (Order of Preachers) commemorate their deceased. In reading this morning's Divine Office, I marveled at the history in the second book of Maccabees. Judas takes such care gathering up the dead after battle. He even took a collection among his soldiers,
amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.
How apropos to read about the dead Maccabean soldiers, on the commemoration of the deceased Dominicans, soldiers for Christ. The Order of Preachers was founded to battle heresy. The world is a manufacturing plant for heresy. There will always be a need for soldiers for Christ. Let us pray,
2 Maccabees 12:45, 46
There are some who have died a godly death;
--they shall receive the splendid reward which awaits them
It is a holy and pious thought to make atonement for the dead,
so that they might be freed from their sins.
--They shall receive the splendid reward which awaits them.
