I love the book of Maccabees! The whole story given to us is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is the Word of God, not merely a history of Jewish resistance against the Greeks. From beginning to end, it concerns the proper order of things, priorities, and the Eternal Perspective. This group of Jews remained faithful to the covenant with God and the law of God. They did not fear the death of the body, but the death of the soul.
Their priorities were in the proper order. They did not obey the ruling power of the day, the government that told them to violate God’s law and offer sacrifices to the Greek gods. Rather, they resisted a government that wanted to push them to the side and in the end kill them. Some might draw conclusions from our society and culture today and about our present situation, but I want to focus on our personal lives, our family lives. What are the priorities in our lives? Is our relationship with God and our children’s relationship with God more important than their excelling on the court or on the field, or is it not? Can we show by the way we spend our time, our money, our attention that Jesus and our relationship with Him is the most important thing in our lives? Does His Truth, Goodness, and Beauty permeate our homes, our lives, our relationships?
My brothers and sisters, our eyes must be fixed on Him, not on the things of this world. I pray for you and for me that we live our lives personally and in our families with our children in the proper order with the proper priorities in the Eternal Perspective.
Health Update
A repeat of last week’s update…I realize that I haven’t given an update on my health situation in a little while. I have finished my 6th cycle of Chemotherapy. The Doctors want me to do a total of 8-12 cycles. So I have at least 2 more cycles to run or at the most 6. I am either 75% to the finish-line for Chemo or 50% towards it! Either way, I am ready for whatever course this journey takes because I am buoyed by your prayers, encouraged by your love, and strengthened by your amazing support! Thank you so much for your prayers!
At the end of the Chemotherapy, I will have surgery in Atlanta at Emory. This will be either in mid-December or, at the latest, mid-February. I cannot tell you how much your prayers mean to me and how much effect they have on me every day! You are journeying with me step by step and I cannot thank Almighty God for each of you enough! You are in my daily thanksgiving and my prayers to His Majesty! I love you all!
May the Lord Jesus bless each of you and your families abundantly this week!
~ Fr. Daniel Firmin