whoever observed the law

“Any scrolls of the law which they found they tore up and burnt. Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree.” (1 MC 1: 56-57)

“A scroll of the covenant” means one or more of the first five books of the Old Testament, the traditional law of Israel. God’s law is under persecution. And believers, “whoever observed the law,” are “condemned to death by royal decree” for only one reason—they respect the covenant with God. When we love God’s word and when we “observe the law,” we can be persecuted. The world can close its eyes and pretend not to see God’s presence, but Our Lord is with us, and “whoever follows Him will have the light of life.”

“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” (Gospel Acclamation)