1 Maccabees 13:1-6. With a large army assembled against the land of Judah preparing to invade and destroy it, the people are trembling and fearful. Simon, the last living Maccabee brother, goes up to Jerusalem, gathers the people together, and encourages them. He reminds them of the great deeds his brothers and he did to protect the land, the laws, the city, and the sanctuary. They know all of his brothers gave their lives for the sake of Israel. "And now," he says "far be it from me to spare my life in any time of distress." He promises to avenge the nation and the sanctuary and the wives and children of Israel "for all the nation's have gathered together out of hatred to destroy us."

This morning I was talking with a priest and I mentioned the book Live Not By Lies. I came home and got it out in order to lend it to him and my eye fell on the story of a green grocer who stands up to tyranny by refusing to post propaganda messages in his store window. The author quoted a Russian orthodox mystic as having once said "Acquire the Holy Spirit, and thousands around you will be saved." That line is the perfect testament to the power of one person who is open to the Spirit.

This passage about Simon Maccabee is well suited to that quote. Simon has acquired the Holy Spirit and therefore will save thousands. Eventually, after all the battles and the wars, he will be made the leader and high priest and "in his days things prospered in his hands." (1 Maccabees 14:36).

We must allow the Holy Spirit in. When we do, we achieve marvelous things, we may even save thousands!