November 23, 2003, Thursday of the 33rd week in ordinary time.

A reading from the first book of Maccabees.

The officers of the king in charge of enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modin to organize the

sacrifices.

Many of Israel joined them,

but Matathias and his sons gathered in a group apart.

Then the officers of the king addressed Matathias.

You are a leader, an honorable and great man in this city, supported by sons and kin.

Come now, be the first to obey the king's command, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah

and those who are left in Jerusalem have done.

Then you and your sons shall be numbered among the king's

friends and shall be enriched with silver and gold and many gifts.

But Matathias answered in a loud voice, although all the Gentiles in the king's realm obey him

so that each forsakes the religion of his

fathers and consents to the King's orders, yet I and my sons and my kin will keep to the

covenant of our fathers. God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.

We will not obey the words of the king, nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.

As he finished saying these words, a certain Jew came forward in the sight of all

to offer sacrifice on the altar in Modin, according to the king's

order. When Matathias saw him, he was filled with zeal, his heart was moved, and his just fury

was aroused. He sprang forward and killed him upon the altar.

At the same time, he also killed the messenger of the king who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar.

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