In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law, and they seduced many people, saying: "Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us." The proposal was agreeable; some from among the people promptly went to the king, and he authorized them to introduce the way of living of the Gentiles. (1 Maccabees 1:11-13)

Which Bible version do you read? Catholic or Protestant? If you are reading the Protestant Bible, you will definitely miss out this passage from the Book of Maccabees in the Catholic Bible. Why? Please to this link for an answer http://www.ewtn.com/v/experts/showmessage.asp?number=438095 This passage describes many members of the Jewish community are willing to give up their values and beliefs as God’s chosen people to be accepted by the Greek (gentile) conquerors, compromising their ways of life to the point of turning their back from God. As G.K. Chesterton said, “Compromise used to mean that half a loaf was better than no bread. Among modern statesmen it really seems to mean that half a loaf is better than a whole loaf.” How true! History will repeat itself if we don’t learn from it. If you compromise what you're trying to do just a little bit today, you'll end up compromising a little more the next day or the next week, and before you know it you're suddenly really far away from your moral foundation; and you will lose your objectivity.

When did you turning your back on God?

Are you afraid of doing God’s will?

What do you do lately to please God?

May the Lord give us all the courage to speak the truth openly without compromises.

Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen