The Flock of Lannach wants to maintain its rituals even during a war. For example, the rite for welcoming High Summer is believed to keep the Flock alive. Nicholas van Rijn thinks that they should keep alive by concentrating on winning the war:
"'My own chaplain at home, that pickle face, is not so fussy about what is proper.'" (p. 77)
Van Rijn agrees with the Maccabees. "The Sabbath was made for man..."
I was told during an educational visit to a Synagogue that any part of the Law can be broken if that is necessary to save a life.
I read somewhere else that the best sacrifice is an offering not of flesh to the gods but of fruit to the poor but, when I searched the blog for this quotation, I found only myself writing it. See The Greatest Sacrifice?
3 comments:
"The Sabbath was made for man..."
I had only heard that as something attributed to Jesus in one of the Gospels, but I shouldn't be surprised that he was quoting earlier scripture.
I didnt mean that either of the Maccabees said it. I was just juxtaposing their fighting on the Sabbath with the statement about who the Sabbath was made for.
Kaor, Jim and Paul!
I agree that Old Nick probably had 1 Maccabees 2.41 in mind, that sometimes the necessities of war had to take precedence over the laws and obligations of one's faith. But Christians might more immediately think of this text from Matthew 12.7-8: "But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. But if you knew what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would never have condemned the innocent; for the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
That was a very daring statement by Christ because He was claiming an authority belonging only to God. Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees listening to Him must have been outraged!
Happy New Year! Sean
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