There has also been much criticism of the Jewish menorah on the altar of the Neocatechumenal Way. Actually, the menorah is only there during special occasions such as Easter Vigil. Below are photos of our last two Popes lighting the Jewish menorah. Pope Benedict lits the menorah in 2001 and recently Pope Francis did the same:
Does this mean that these Popes are Jewish????? Of course not. They do not have any problems lighting the Jewish menorah because they recognize our Jewish heritage with the Jewish people. After all, the seven lamp stands mentioned in the Book of Revelation is the Jewish menorah (See Revelations 4:5). So, all the angels and hosts in Heaven recognize the menorah, which the Apostle John saw in God's kingdom.
Below is a photo of Cardinal O'Malley lighting the last candle on the Yom HaShaoah Menorah, which was moved from Boston to the new headquarters of the Boston Archdiocese in Braintree.
In fact, one can even find the Jewish menorah is many Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches. Does this mean that these Churches are REALLY Jewish? No, but they recognize their Jewish roots and heritage. By doing so, they recognize that Jesus Christ Himself was raised Jewish. Also, according to CNN, dated December, 1997:
A Hanukkah candle was lit at the Vatican Tuesday for the first time in history, an event Israeli ambassador Aharon Lopez called "unique." The candle, which was lit by Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy of Australia on behalf of Pope John Paul II, was next to an olive tree that commemorates diplomatic ties between Israel and the Holy See. Lopez said the ceremony marked "an important chapter in the historic process of reconciliation between Jews and the Catholic Church."
Does this mean that the Vatican has become Jewish?? No. Absolutely not. But again, the Vatican has no problem lighting the menorah or a candle for Hankkah because the Catholic Church recognize her Jewish roots. And where in the Bible does it say that practicing Jewish celebrations was wrong???? St. Paul never said that the Jewish custom of circumcision was wrong. He simply said that the Gentile converts did not need to practice it. There was something better than circumcision, and that was baptism.
He should be made clear that Pope John Paul II is not Jewish despite that he prayed at the Jewish wailing wall and lit a Jewish menorah. Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal O'Malley are also not Jewish despite that they also lit a Jewish menorah. The NCW is also not Jewish despite that we sometimes have a menorah on our altar. The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholics are also not Jewish despite that they also have a menorah in their Churches. So, how does Chuck White and Tim Rohr conclude that the NCW is Jewish is beyond me. As I said, all they do is come up with their own conclusions without asking us any questions. Everything they have to say about the NCW is all one-sided because they purposely left out our input.
He should be made clear that Pope John Paul II is not Jewish despite that he prayed at the Jewish wailing wall and lit a Jewish menorah. Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal O'Malley are also not Jewish despite that they also lit a Jewish menorah. The NCW is also not Jewish despite that we sometimes have a menorah on our altar. The Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholics are also not Jewish despite that they also have a menorah in their Churches. So, how does Chuck White and Tim Rohr conclude that the NCW is Jewish is beyond me. As I said, all they do is come up with their own conclusions without asking us any questions. Everything they have to say about the NCW is all one-sided because they purposely left out our input.
Diana, first of all he is not John Paul II but Pope Francis. Second, you changed the word "comment" to "sentiment". Well, you still should prove that discussing the Catholic-Jewish relation is somehow "anti-Semitic" sentiment. You might be a very young woman and you don't recognize the weight of words that might have an impact on others. Anti-Semites are those who hate some people because of their ethnic origin. In contrast, defending basic doctrines of the Church is not hatred, but elementary task of all believers.
ReplyDeleteNobody said that only Jews can light a Menorah. Also, lighting a Menorah would not make anyone a Jew. Nobody ever said that. But celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ during Easter Vigil with a Menorah on a Catholic altar, now this is way different! It has inevitable liturgical and theological consequences. Just think about the meaning of symbols and what the Church wants to symbolize for the faithful to grasp during the celebration of Resurrection at the Easter mass.
One thing you keep forgetting is that the Apostle Paul had a big change of heart and soul at the road to Damascus when he encountered the resurrected Lord. This major change of heart and soul is required from everyone in order to become a Christian. It does not matter if you were a Jew or Gentile, you could be a member of the Body with its Head Jesus only if experiencing the Lord in your heart and soul, from inside. Then you may be truly converted. There is no other way. This Body is nothing else but our Catholic Church!
Dear Voice of faith,
DeleteYou have not read a single word I post. How many times do I have to say that the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics have the menorah at their altar in their Mass. The Eastern Catholics are part of the Catholic Church and in communion with the Pope.
I sincerely believe that people who try to draw a distinct line between religion; spirituality; tradition and custom will offer theological arguments that will confuse the beauty of our Catholic faith. Speaking only for myself who has been walking in the Way, I can only recognize how I have been blessed with a spiritual relationship with God. In actually, we could say that I am not a good Catholic....I don't remember word by word all the prayers said in Church, rosaries or other religious rites but in truth, at the moment of sinning, I can call....beg God to help me overcome the thoughts...that moment fills me with grace. And in that clear moment that my first though after sinning was to ask for forgiveness, I realize that someone gave me that grace to pray and I can only be thankful .
ReplyDeleteI have seen so many children confused by adults whose beliefs are based in the following of in their religion, rites, customs and traditions. What is wrong by listening to a God that speaks to the heart, from the heart? Entry into eternal life will not depend on whether we are Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Jewish or whatever.
As revealed by Ernie in a previous blog article, the NCW does far more than simply light a menorah. There appears to be a quite deficient understanding of the relationship of the Jewish people to the Christian faith; the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in the New; and particularly confusion regarding the means by which Jews are saved. As there has been no effort to clarify or repudiate these errors, one can only conclude that the NCW members are actually taught these errors.
ReplyDeleteDiana, do you have any photos of the pope(s) lighting the menorah on the altar during the Mass? Or of there being a menorah on the altar during papal masses? You have shown that the popes have at times lit a menorah - most recently when Pope Francis, as Cardinal Bergoglio, lit one at the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah in Argentina. I remind you that Pope St John Paul II also once kissed a copy of the Koran - agreed by most to be a serious lapse in judgement.
The problem seems to be that because the NCW have no recourse to the Catechism of the Church, but rather use their own, and that Kiko Arguello is a Jew (or wants to be), members of the NCW are being led astray.
Dear Anonymous at 1:57 pm,
DeleteAs I mentioned in one of my comments, the Eastern Orthodox Churches and Eastern Catholics have the Jewish menorah on their altars. The menorahs symbolizes the tree of life or sometimes the gifts of the Holy Spirit. See the weblink below:
http://holytransfigurationwalsingham.simdif.com/orthodox_worship.html
As for St. John Paul II kissing the Qu'ran, one need only look at the effect it had on the Muslim world. This was no lapse of judgment on the Pope's part. After the Pope kissed the Qu'ran, that SILENCED the entire Muslim world. The Muslim moderates have always claimed that Islam is a religion of peace; yet, not one single Iman or Mullah have ever kissed the Holy Bible.
The Holy Spirit, through St. John Paul II was able to silenced the entire Muslim world. Only the Holy Spirit is capable of such a feat. It is sad that some Catholics see only see the Pope kissing the Qu'ran, but failed to see the miracle it had in silencing the Muslim world. They were like the Pharisees who saw Christ breaking the Sabbath law, but failed to see the miracle that was performed.
"that SILENCED the entire Muslim world"
DeleteCan you explain what you mean here? In what way was the entire Muslim world silenced by this action? In fact, can you show any direct benefit at all from this?
Secondly, while the Byzantines may use the menorah (seven branched??), in what way does that support the NCW using a nine-branched menorah when the NCW is not Byzantine or Eastern Rite, but rather is clearly defined in the statutes as supposed to be following the Roman Rite?
So, I'll ask you again, can you show any papal Mass where the Menorah was placed on the altar?
Dear Anonymous at 12:04 pm,
DeleteThe nine-branched menorah symbolized the tree of life. Where in the Roman rite does it say that we are NOT supposed to use a menorah??? It does not say whether we are to use or not to use a menorah, so why are YOU forcing us to take away the menorah?. The Eastern Catholics used the menorah and the Vatican never told them that they are NOT to use it.
Why do you need a papal Mass with a menorah when nowhere in the Roman rite does it say to use or NOT to use the menorah? As you can see from my post above, the Jewish menorah, which the Cardinal lit was placed inside the Boston Archdiocese, so they now have a menorah in their Church, which is a Roman rite Church.
The Muslim world was silenced by the Pope's action because they have always been saying that they are a religion of peace; yet not a single Iman or Mullah ever kissed the Holy Bible. Their Qu'ran stated that the Torah and the Gospels came from God (Allah), and not one Muslim Iman or Mullah can kiss the Torah or the Gospels. According to the Muslim Qu'ran:
Sura 2:41 And believe in what I have sent down (this Qur'an), confirming that which is with you, [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)], and be not the first to disbelieve therein, and buy not with My Verses [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] a small price (i.e. getting a small gain by selling My Verses), and fear Me and Me Alone.
The effect of the Pope kissing the Qu'ran had a very profound effect on the Muslim world. I'm sure many intelligent Muslims can see that the REAL religion of peace is the one, which showed humility. No Iman or Mullah has humbled himself that far to kiss the Holy Bible, which their Qu'ran says came from Allah.
The problem is that many ultra-conservative Catholics, followers of lefevre, members of the Pius X, Tridentine Catholics and those who reject vatican 2 have very strong anti-Semitic sentiments. I was greatly scandalized on learning that many nazis were hidden and helped to safety in South America by a bishop and lefevre followers. Pope john paul 2 asked for forgiveness for the many sins of the church in 2000, and I think these were also included. Many of these Catholics are holocaust deniers. It is horrifying but a fact in the church.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand it is a great sign of hope and unity that so many popes want to heal relations with the Jewish people and have gone out of their way to help heal the hurts between our faiths that have accumulated over the centuries. The Jews are the chosen people. Gods promise and covenant does not expire. They have suffered and continue to suffer because the devil hates this election. We nonjews have been inserted or adopted into gods plan of salvation for humanity but this does not void his original pact with israel. I think it is very stupid for us to be at odds. They are our cultural and spiritual roots. The world hates them and Christians because we love God. Makes only sense that we should stand together. Unity and more unity not division.
Are chuck and Tim anti-Semites? Are they holocaust deniers? Why do they mind that the NCW shows love for Gods chosen people? Isn't there room in the church for a miriad of spiritualities? Of charisms? How stifling it is their constant vociforations for sameness. How absolutely provincial. How pharisiacal! Thank heavens we follow the pope in Rome and the magisterium of the Catholic Church and not the pseudo legislator Tim and his pseudo theologian chuck. Blessed be the Holy Spirit who has infinite imagination to inspire the way.
"We nonjews have been inserted or adopted into gods plan of salvation for humanity but this does not void his original pact with israel."
DeletePlease, explain this to me. How are we "inserted"? We are the Christians who follow Jesus Christ and His teaching. How is this an "insertion" only into anything? It is the REAL thing, it is the Lord! Jesus Christ is the second person of God!
"The world hates them and Christians because we love God."
I don't know which world are you talking about? The world I live in is a Christian world following the culture and customs of Christianity. I don't notice this world hates me because I follow Christ. So please, clarify what you mean.
Hello Anon at 3:35 pm. This is exactly my point what you say. I don't know why voice cannot get it?! Yes, he might be a denier, a denier of our root and heritage in the Old Testament. What could be behind this attitude? Maybe it is true, maybe he is even a Holocaust denier. Because denying that the Jewish people are the chosen people of God smells like racism. They want to elevate themselves above the Jews. But who gave us the Bible? Who gave us the Old Testament? It came from God through the Jewish prophets and the Jewish people.
DeleteThese are the same people who deny that Jerusalem is the city of God. They want to share it with the pagans. They want to throw our common Jewish-Christian heritage from God, the beautiful City where Jesus preached the good news, they want this pearl to be thrown to people who have nothing common with us, nothing common with Jesus Christ, nothing common with our God. What is this if not denial? Denial of God on the Holy Land!
Dear vof your ignorance is abysmal. Read nostrae aetate from vatican 2. You are right it is not inserted it is grafted. Synonymous but my mistake
DeleteDear vof,
DeleteYou must live in the stratosphere. A world that encourages abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, birth control, derides the idea of the nuclear family, providence, obedience intelligent design, promotes financial security over children's lives, personal choice over natural law is most definetely not a Christian world.
Traditionally the enemies of spiritual life are the flesh the world and the devil. The vortex has a great video out on it. You should check it out. To deny that Jews and Christians are part of a cosmic battle against these forces is either ignorant or stupid. Which are you?
The NCW does NOT follow jewish customs. If we did all our kids would be circumcised and I would not have bacon for breakfast. And I enjoy my bacon thank you very much. However this does not mean that we do not use Jewish signs to inform, deepen our faith. I remind everyone that the NCW is an itinerary of spiritual formation. Signs are tools used pedagogically like stained glass windows. You don't like them? Go to one of those modern churches built like bunkers.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP_7UmiipNo
ReplyDeleteSt. John Paul on the family in Porto San Giorgio with a menorah
from Nostra Aetate on the Jewish people:
ReplyDelete"As the sacred synod searches into the mystery of the Church, it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham's stock.
Thus the Church of Christ acknowledges that, according to God's saving design, the beginnings of her faith and her election are found already among the Patriarchs, Moses and the prophets. She professes that all who believe in Christ-Abraham's sons according to faith (6)-are included in the same Patriarch's call, and likewise that the salvation of the Church is mysteriously foreshadowed by the chosen people's exodus from the land of bondage. The Church, therefore, cannot forget that she received the revelation of the Old Testament through the people with whom God in His inexpressible mercy concluded the Ancient Covenant. Nor can she forget that she draws sustenance from the root of that well-cultivated olive tree onto which have been grafted the wild shoots, the Gentiles.(7) Indeed, the Church believes that by His cross Christ, Our Peace, reconciled Jews and Gentiles. making both one in Himself.(8)
The Church keeps ever in mind the words of the Apostle about his kinsmen: "theirs is the sonship and the glory and the covenants and the law and the worship and the promises; theirs are the fathers and from them is the Christ according to the flesh" (Rom. 9:4-5), the Son of the Virgin Mary. She also recalls that the Apostles, the Church's main-stay and pillars, as well as most of the early disciples who proclaimed Christ's Gospel to the world, sprang from the Jewish people.
As Holy Scripture testifies, Jerusalem did not recognize the time of her visitation,(9) nor did the Jews in large number, accept the Gospel; indeed not a few opposed its spreading.(10) Nevertheless, God holds the Jews most dear for the sake of their Fathers; He does not repent of the gifts He makes or of the calls He issues-such is the witness of the Apostle.(11) In company with the Prophets and the same Apostle, the Church awaits that day, known to God alone, on which all peoples will address the Lord in a single voice and "serve him shoulder to shoulder" (Soph. 3:9).(12)
Since the spiritual patrimony common to Christians and Jews is thus so great, this sacred synod wants to foster and recommend that mutual understanding and respect which is the fruit, above all, of biblical and theological studies as well as of fraternal dialogues.
True, the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ;(13) still, what happened in His passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today. Although the Church is the new people of God, the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God, as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures. All should see to it, then, that in catechetical work or in the preaching of the word of God they do not teach anything that does not conform to the truth of the Gospel and the spirit of Christ.
Furthermore, in her rejection of every persecution against any man, the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel's spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.
Besides, as the Church has always held and holds now, Christ underwent His passion and death freely, because of the sins of men and out of infinite love, in order that all may reach salvation. It is, therefore, the burden of the Church's preaching to proclaim the cross of Christ as the sign of God's all-embracing love and as the fountain from which every grace flows."
Right, so where in Nostra Aetate does the Church say that the Jewish people do not need Jesus Christ for salvation? Where does it say that we "need to learn from them and follow their path that will lead us to God." (courtesy of Ernie)
Deletehttp://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/relations-jews-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19820306_jews-judaism_en.html -
"7. "In virtue of her divine mission, the Church" which is to be "the all-embracing means of salvation" in which alone "the fulness of the means of salvation can be obtained" (Unit. Red. 3); "must of her nature proclaim Jesus Christ to the world" (cf. Guidelines and Suggestions, I). Indeed we believe that it is through him that we go to the Father (cf. Jn. 14:6) "and this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent" (Jn 17:33).
Jesus affirms (ibid. 10:16) that "there shall be one flock and one shepherd". Church and Judaism cannot then be seen as two parallel ways of salvation and the Church must witness to Christ as the Redeemer for all, "while maintaining the strictest respect for religious liberty in line with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council (Declaration Dignitatis Humanae)" (Guidelines and Suggestions, I)."
"Thus the definitive meaning of the election of Israel does not become clear except in the light of the complete fulfilment (Rom 9-11) and election in Jesus Christ is still better understood with reference to the announcement and the promise (cf. Heb 4:1-11). "
5. It should also be emphasised that typological interpretation consists in reading the Old Testament as preparation and, in certain aspects, outline and foreshadowing of the New (cf. e.g., Heb 5:5-10 etc.). Christ is henceforth the key and point of reference to the Scriptures: athe rock was ChristÓ (1 Cor 10:4)."
Here is the best article you will find on this question. Please pay close attention, as this is nuanced and very important: http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/replacement_theology.php
Delete"True, the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ;(13) still, what happened in His passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today. Although the Church is the new people of God, the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God, as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures."
ReplyDeleteWhat does this mean to you, dear Anonymous? The death of Jesus cannot be charged against all Jews, but against those who blindly followed their leadership and demanded His death. "Crucify him, crucify him!" It is not only a demand we can hear in Mel Gibson's Passion movie, it is straight out of the Gospels! This is why modern Judaism rejects blind obedience to any authority, including religious authorities. Obedience should be always be based on discernment and good morale.
The new people of God is the Church. It is very clearly stated. We the Catholic Church are the new chosen people. Jews are not rejected or accursed by God. They are simply not the chosen people anymore. They detached themselves from Jesus Christ. Not being chosen is not the same as being rejected. Being chosen by God adds an opportunity to come closer to Him. It is a plus. But not being chosen is not a minus! It is simply not the same as the plus. We who are Christians got this plus through the death and resurrection of Jesus, who gives us an opportunity to be united with Him. But how can you be united with Christ by not acknowledging Him? No, it is impossible. You have to acknowledge Jesus as the only Son of God first in order to get the plus, to get the opportunity to be one with Him. It is the meaning of being chosen by God.
Yes, this idea that the Jews are the "chosen people" needs some exploration. What is meant by the term "chosen people"? My understanding would be that this is to say that the Jewish people were selected to become the means by which Jesus Christ would come among us. In other words, "salvation is of the Jews", is not a statement about the efficacy of Jewish Faith, but rather about the advent of God-in-the-flesh.
DeleteNow that we have seen "God-with-us", Our Lord Jesus Christ, this aspect of the Jewish faith and culture has been completed. They are no longer the "chosen people" in the sense that God has already accomplished through them his presence among us and has saved us.
Think of it this way - that generations of Jewish people were developed in holiness and worship, formed by revelation, trial and suffering, so as to bring about the time that the Blessed Virgin Mary, promised to Adam and Eve, could be born, without sin, and so be the means by which the Blessing lost to mankind might be restored, through Jesus Christ.
In Jesus, this task is accomplished. There is no longer the need for the preparation for the Messiah as he has arrived already.
The Church is now the "chosen people" in the sense that through it, God will be announced to the nations and the culmination of history will be achieved at the end of the age when the Kingdom is made fully manifest.
On each Good Friday, the Church all together prays the following:
"Let us also pray for the Jews: That our God and Lord may illuminate their hearts, that they acknowledge Jesus Christ is the Savior of all men. (Let us pray. Kneel. Rise.) Almighty and eternal God, who want that all men be saved and come to the recognition of the truth, propitiously grant that even as the fullness of the peoples enters Thy Church, all Israel be saved. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen"
Dear Anonymous at 11:54 am,
DeleteGod revealed Himself to the Jews through their history, but He revealed Himself to the Christians through His Son Jesus Christ. The Jews are still God's chosen people. This was a promise He made to them, and God never goes back on His promise.
Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
The God of the Old Testament is the SAME God of the New Testament. So, there is nothing wrong with Jewish worship nor anything wrong with their symbols.
If the Jewish people were no longer God's chosen people, then what does that make God's promise to them?? What worth is God's promise if he renounced the Jews as His chosen people only to choose another? God does not break His promise. The Jews are still His chosen people. The people of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant are God's family.
"If the Jewish people were no longer God's chosen people, then what does that make God's promise to them?? What worth is God's promise if he renounced the Jews as His chosen people only to choose another? God does not break His promise. The Jews are still His chosen people. The people of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant are God's family. "
DeleteI think you misunderstand my previous post, Diana.
The Jewish people were chosen, indeed, to become the root stock for the advent of Jesus Christ, because through him sin and death would be overcome and the original blessing of creation restored. Having over many generations prepared the "ground" for his coming, the race of Jews produced the Blessed Virgin Mary - the new Eve - and through her salvation could come to all humanity. This was the reason for the Jews having been "chosen" in the first place. There is no way that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the prophets were unaware of this plan of salvation - indeed the Jews were expecting the Messiah.
Many of them accepted Jesus, of course. Were they wrong to do so?
When our God became incarnate in Jesus Christ, the God's promise to the people was completed. The one that they waited for had arrived. The reason for them having been chosen had been fulfilled. In what way is this understood as God renouncing the Jews to choose another? Rather, God fulfilled his promise to the chosen people - again, "chosen" because through them Jesus came to us.
There is no other way to understand "chosen". God did not disavow the Jews - he gave them what they were waiting for. God is faithful to his promise. Read the Magnificat of Mary to understand this.
Now, all are called to be the chosen people and continue the great work of God in the world. The Jews must convert to faith in Jesus Christ as all must, if they wish to be of the New Israel. Their ethnic origins mean nothing. We can see the work of God in the symbols and practised of the Jewish people, only in so far as we understand them to prefigure and point to Jesus Christ.
Dear Anonymous at 3:23 pm,
DeleteIn your previous comment, you stated: "They are no longer the "chosen people" in the sense that God has already accomplished through them his presence among us and has saved us."
This is the only thing I disagree with you. They are STILL the chosen people. According to Pope John Paul II:
“…the Church of Christ discovers her ‘bond’ with Judaism by ‘searching into her own mystery.’ The Jewish religion is not ‘extrinsic’ to us, but in a certain way is ‘intrinsic’ to our own religion. With Judaism, therefore, we have a relationship which we do not have with any other religion. You are our dearly beloved brothers and, in a certain way, it could be said that you are our elder brothers.” (Spiritual Pilgrimage, page 63).
And according to Pope Francis:
There is a phrase from the Second Vatican Council that is essential: it says that God showed Himself to all men and rescues, first of all, the Chosen People. Since God is faithful to His promises, He did not reject them. The Church officially recognizes that the People of Israel continue to be the Chosen People. Nowhere does it say: "You lost the game, now it is our turn." It is a recognition of the People of Israel. That, I think, is the most courageous thing from Vatican II on the subject. (Jorge M. Bergoglio and Abraham Skorka, On Heaven and Earth [New York: Image, 2013], p. 188)
The Jews have always worshipped the one true God, but they are ignorant of His nature. This is why the Church also evangelize to the Jews. The Bible says that at the endtimes, all the Jews will come to know Jesus Christ. The mission of the Church is to bring everyone to Christ. Christ will then take care of the rest.
"They are STILL the chosen people"
DeleteWhat are they chosen for?
I find the conversation about the Jews being the chosen people interesting but muted. I believe scriptures speaks and calls to all regardless of religion, race....etc.
ReplyDeleteThe Jews were the chosen people for which the Lamb of God would come from. Jesus could have been chosen from Africa, Persia. But the Jews were the one who God wanted to use in his divine plan. Once Jesus was born no longer were the Jews the "the chosen people". The second covenant God made through Jesus Christ became a more personal matter between you and God and that ONLY through his son can you then get to Him. The new CHOSEN people are those who follow Jesus. The first Christians were Jews, the apostles. They followed Jesus and it was through them that Jesus sent forth to spread the good news yes to Jews but more importantly to the gentiles who now can be included in this so called CHOSEN people.Those Jews that converted were saved those that didn't were sent to hell. That is true then and it is true now. The Jews now ARE NOT THE CHOSEN PEOPLE and please stop repeating that.
ReplyDeleteJust a short comment on Pope John Paul kissing the Koran. I guess what vof was trying to point out was the they are more radical Muslims now than before and that is the bottom line.
Dear Anonymous at 9:04 am,
DeleteYou stated, "Those Jews that converted were saved those that didn't were sent to hell."
As I said in a previous comment, it is not our place to judge who is saved and who goes to Hell. Abraham, Moses, Isaac, and Jacob did not know Jesus Christ. Does this mean that they are in Hell? If a Hindu infant died having never heard of who Jesus Christ is......does this mean that this child is condemned to Hell?
I follow the Catholic Church, and the Catholic Church teaches that the Jews are STILL the chosen people. According to Pope Francis:
There is a phrase from the Second Vatican Council that is essential: it says that God showed Himself to all men and rescues, first of all, the Chosen People. Since God is faithful to His promises, He did not reject them. The Church officially recognizes that the People of Israel continue to be the Chosen People. Nowhere does it say: "You lost the game, now it is our turn." It is a recognition of the People of Israel. That, I think, is the most courageous thing from Vatican II on the subject. (Jorge M. Bergoglio and Abraham Skorka, On Heaven and Earth [New York: Image, 2013], p. 188)