My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, we are given these beautiful readings. First, from the Book of Maccabees—beautiful because we see the courage and strength of Mattathias and his sons, gathered apart, resisting the threats of the enemy. Then we have the visitation of Jesus, who poses a different kind of threat to the authorities of his day, and He too is rejected. Our Captain and our Faith show us a master class in courage and boldness, so as to do the Father’s will.