Memorial of Saint
Cecilia, martyr
(I Maccabees 4:36-37.52-59; Luke 19:45-48)
Today’s first reading relates the story of the Jewish
feast of Hanukkah. The passage tells how
Jews 165 year before Christ celebrated the re-consecration of the Temple altar. They burnt offerings and sang hymns of praise
for eight days. According to one
tradition, there was a glitch in the preparations for the celebration. After the plans were announced, only enough
consecrated oil for one day of burning was found. Undeterred, the people went ahead with their
plans. To their amazement the oil lasted
the full eight days. For this reason
Hanukkah is sometimes called the “Feast of Lights.” As testimony to the miracle, Jews traditionally
eat fried foods throughout the celebration.
Jesus celebrated the Feast of the Dedication of the
Temple as Hanukkah is sometimes called.
He also revered the Temple as God’ meeting place with humans. For this reason he chases the money changers
from its confines as today’s gospel relates.
Jesus himself has become the prime place of encounter with God. In this sense he has replaced the
Temple.
This year Hanukkah corresponds with Christmas. The eight days begins on December 22 and
concludes on December 30. It should be a
time of peace and joy for everyone in these two great religions. We should be praying for our Jewish friends
and might ask them to pray for us as well.
