Gus focus' on today's First Reading from the Book of Maccabees and the story of Eleazar who refused to eat pork and was beaten to death. The Book of Maccabees takes place a century-and-a-half after the conquest of Judea by Alexander the Great and, over the course of that time, the children of Israel co-mingled with Gentiles and, as Gus says, many began to "go along to get along" and began adopting many pagan customs. When Antiochus forced everyone in his kingdom to eat pork, a remnant of faithful Jews held out, including Eleazar, a well-respected scribe of advanced age. When local authorities sought a compromise by urging Eleazar to pretend to eat pork, he steadfastly refused and was put to death. Gus says that because of his dedication to God and his faith, Eleazar is one of his heroes of the faith. Inspired by his story, Gus asks listeners to call in and tell who their hero or heroes of the faith are.
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