- AN ASSYRIAN
general, Holofernes, marched against Palestine. He laid siege to the city
of Bethulia. The people of the city were in despair and decided to
surrender if no help came within five days.
- But there lived in that
city a young and pious widow named Judith. When she heard that the city
would be given up, she called together the leaders. She warned them that
they were committing a great sin by not trusting in God. She urged them to
do penance for this sin.
- "Let us be patient and
humble," she said, "and ask the Lord to show us mercy according to His
will."
- The leaders begged her,
"Pray for us, for you are a holy woman." Judith went home, put ashes
on her head as a sign of penance, and prayed God for help. She asked God
to make her strong and brave that she might save her people. Then she
dressed herself in her finest clothes. With one of her maids she went to
the enemy camp of the Assyrians and asked to be led to the general.
When Holofernes saw her, he was attracted by her beauty. He commanded
that she be allowed to go and come as she wished.
Each night Judith prayed that God would guide her in this dangerous
work. On the fourth night the general made a supper for his friends. He
invited Judith also. After the feast the general, overcome with wine, fell
into a deep sleep.
Judith waited till everybody had left. She stood weeping and praying,
"Strengthen me, 0 Lord, that I may act according to Your will."
Then taking down the sword of Holofernes, she cut off his head. She
went out and gave it to her maid to carry in a bag. They left the camp and
went back to Bethulia.
All ran in great joy to meet Judith, for no one had expected her to
return. She said, showing them the head of Holofernes, "Praise God, who
has not forsaken them that hope in Him. Glorify Him, for His mercy lasts
forever."
In the morning the people hung the head of Holofernes upon the city
walls. All took up arms and went against the Assyrian camp. When the
Assyrians found the headless body of their general, they were filled with
terror and fled. In this way Judith saved her people.
The story of Judith is more than that of a brave woman. When the
people of Bethulia depended only on their city walls and armed men, they
were unable to protect the city. Judith with only trust in the help of God
was able to defeat the strong army of the Assyrians.
When Holy Mother Church praises the Blessed Virgin Mary, she uses the
very same words sung by the Israelites when Judith returned, "You are the
glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you are the honor and glory
of our people."
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