Apocalyptic writing flourished in the two centuries before Jesus’ birth. Under Alexander the Great, the Greeks conquered the then-known world. Previous conquerors allowed the Jews to worship their own God, but the Greeks wanted their culture established throughout the middle-eastern world.
The Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.) openly persecuted Jews faithful to laws such as not eating pork. See his proclamation in 1 Maccabees 1.44-50. When he desecrated the Temple with a statue of Zeus (167-66 B.C.), the Maccabean revolt broke out. An anonymous author wrote the book of Daniel to give faithful Jews hope of God’s vindication and strength in the face of persecution.
Sunday’s first reading answers a theological problem which Antiochus’s persecution raised: what was the fate of the just and innocent Jews martyred for keeping God’s law? The vision in Daniel 12.1-3 translates Israel’s belief in God the Creator into belief that this same Creator can awaken the dead. This passage is a radical vision of resurrection from the second century before Jesus.
Fittingly, Christians often use this passage at funerals. Its imagery testifies to confident faith that the just pass into the care of God at death.
We will rise again.
At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince,
guardian of your people;
it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began.
At that time your people will escape; everyone who is found
written in the book.
Many of those who sleep
in the dust of the earth
shall awake;
some shall live forever;
others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.
But the wise shall shine brightly
like the splendor of the firmament,
and those who lead
the many to justice
shall be like the stars forever.
Daniel 12.1-3
- What hope does this passage offer you?
- What impact have the cycle B scripture readings from Mark had on you this past year?