2 entries
Esther 3:1-15 2 entries

HAMAN’S PLOT AGAINST THE JEWS

A SYMBOL OF THE POWERFUL OF THIS WORLD.

Bl. Rabanus Maurus (c. 780–856)

Nothing else is symbolized by the arrogant Haman than the opulence of the powerful of this world who take advantage of the benefits conceded to them by divine mercy. They despise allowing their neighbors, who are given to them as companions by nature, to have as sharers of such grace. Therefore they are guilty of striving to transfer to themselves the honor and reverence that are rightly due to God alone. And so they pursue with hatred all those who do not want to act according to such behavior or comply with it. They persecute them with afflictions and endeavor to put them to death. But the heavenly judge, who regards the lowly, and perceives the haughty from far away, who knows the deceiver and he, who is deceived, makes the pain return upon the heads of the sinful, and their iniquity descends on their head. The sinful are caught in their own traps: the righteous will be freed from their anguish, the impious will be handed over in their stead.[1]

Explanation on the Book of Esther 6

ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION OF HAMAN’S ACTIONS.

Bl. Rabanus Maurus (c. 780–856)

The fact that the twelfth month, which is called Adar, was chosen for the destruction of Israel after casting lots is not with its own spiritual meaning. It is referring, in fact, to the grace of Christ which has been prepared for the faithful in the fullness of time when the faithful will undergo a fierce persecution in the world in the last days. And writing about this to Timothy, the teacher of the Gentiles says, You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the outward form of godliness but denying its power.[1] And the Lord himself says in the Gospel, And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.[2] And a bit further: For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, and never will be.[3]

Explanation on the Book of Esther 6