Tuesday of week 33 in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Reading: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31
Eleazar’s witness in today’s reading is a stunning reminder that authentic love for God cannot coexist with even the smallest compromise. At ninety years old, he was offered an easy escape, not true betrayal, but mere pretence, a simple act of outward conformity that would save his life. Yet he refused even that illusion, saying such behavior “does not square with our time of life,” meaning that fidelity to God is not negotiable at any stage and certainly not at life’s end. His integrity flowed from a heart that knew God deserved truth, not appearances. On the feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul, we recall two pillars of the Church who, like Eleazar, chose authenticity over convenience and truth over self-preservation. Their apostolic courage built the foundations of our faith; Eleazar’s fidelity shows that the same courage is asked of every believer. Temptations today rarely demand open denial—more often they invite pretence, subtle compromises, small concessions of conscience. Eleazar teaches us that even the appearance of infidelity diminishes the dignity of our love for Christ. True discipleship is transparent, consistent, and rooted in truth. Let’s reflect: Do I resist even the subtle temptations to “pretend” in my faith, choosing instead the clear, honest fidelity that honors Jesus with my whole life?
Don Giorgio