*Sacred Scripture* Judith and Holofernes – Bray
April 14
The beheading of Holofernes by Judith, depicted in this artwork by J. Bray, is recounted in the deuterocanonical Book of Judith. Holofernes was an invading Assyrian general of Nebuchadnezzar, sent to conquer Israel. Judith cut off the head of the drunken Holofernes, thus saving her people from destruction.
Judith and Holofernes Story / Theme
The story behind Judith and Holofernes comes from the Bible – the deuterocanonical book of Judith. The Bible tells us that the King of Nineveh, Nebuchadnezzar, sent his general, Holofernes, to subdue his enemies, the Jews. The Jews are besieged in Bethulia and rapidly lose all hope of victory. Famine further undermines their courage and they begin considering surrender.
Judith, whose name means “lady Jew” or “Jewish woman”, was a strikingly beautiful widow. She overhears plans for surrender and decides to “deliver the city”. She creeps into the Assyrian camp, seduces Holofernes with her captivating beauty, waits until he is thoroughly drunk, and cuts off his head.
She returns to her people victorious, holding up the severed head as a trophy. The Jews regain their courage, raid the Assyrian camp and drive the enemy away.
Jdt 13:1-10
Judith Beheads Holofernes.
1When it grew late, his servants quickly withdrew. Bagoas closed the tent from the outside and dismissed the attendants from their master’s presence. They went off to their beds, for they were all tired because the banquet had lasted so long.
2Judith was left alone in the tent with Holofernes, who lay sprawled on his bed, for he was drunk with wine.
3Judith had ordered her maidservant to stand outside the bedchamber and to wait, as on the other days, for her to come out; she had said she would be going out for her prayer. She had also said this same thing to Bagoas.
4When all had departed, and no one, small or great, was left in the bedchamber, Judith stood by Holofernes’ bed and prayed silently, “O Lord, God of all might, in this hour look graciously on the work of my hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem.
5Now is the time for aiding your heritage and for carrying out my design to shatter the enemies who have risen against us.”a
6She went to the bedpost near the head of Holofernes, and taking his sword from it,
7she drew close to the bed, grasped the hair of his head, and said, “Strengthen me this day, Lord, God of Israel!”
8Then with all her might she struck his neck twice and cut off his head.b
9She rolled his body off the bed and took the canopy from its posts. Soon afterward, she came out and handed over the head of Holofernes to her maid,
10who put it into her food bag. Then the two went out together for prayer as they were accustomed to do.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/judith/13
Saying the holy name of Jesus is the simplest way of praying always.
1-A prayer from Raphael the Archangel:
*While you are on this earth, you must praise the Lord God and give him thanks.
2-A prayer from Tobit and Tobias:
*They began to sing hymns of praise, giving thanks for all the mighty deeds God had done while his angel Raphael had been with them.
3-A simple Jesus prayer:
*Lord, Lord, Jesus Christ…Son of God…have mercy on me…Be kind to others…Work Hard…Be joyful.
4-Another prayer:
*When all that God asks of us is to be quiet and keep ourselves at peace-attentive to the secret work He is beginning in our souls-Be Empty and See That I Am God.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Jn 11:25–26