Daily Retreat 11/03/07
2007 Nov 3 Sat/ BVM/ Martin de Porres, r
Rom 11:1-2a. 11-12. 25-29/ Ps 93(94):12-13a. 14-15. 17-18/ Lk 14:1. 7-11
From today’s readings: “The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.... The Lord will not abandon His people.... My friend, move up to a higher position....”
The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable
The long series of conflicts between Christians and Jews is one of the greatest tragedies traced throughout history since the time of Christ. While the Acts of the Apostles and other New Testament writings record instances of Jewish persecutions of the followers of Christ, Christian persecutions of Jews soon surfaced after Christians became more numerous and politically influential.
Obviously, such religious persecution, particularly when laced with violence, has no place in authentic Judaism or Christianity. St. Paul, in particular, took great pains to remind the early Christians that “the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable,” that the Jewish people are still, and always will be, God’s chosen people, for God chose them for His revelation and divine favor through Abraham and the other patriarchs and prophets. As Christians, we cannot fail to recognize this truth, for which we owe the Jews the greatest respect and gratitude!
But most important of all, God also chose the Jewish people through the incarnation of His Son Jesus. Obviously, this is the point of disagreement between Jews and Christians which is impossible to overlook. As Christians, we need to be like St. Paul, striving to share the treasure of our faith with all non-Christians, particularly the Jews. But evangelization must ever respect individual freedom, for it is always sinful and sinister and shameful to attempt to coerce others to believe.
Rom 11:1-2a. 11-12. 25-29/ Ps 93(94):12-13a. 14-15. 17-18/ Lk 14:1. 7-11
From today’s readings: “The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.... The Lord will not abandon His people.... My friend, move up to a higher position....”
The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable
The long series of conflicts between Christians and Jews is one of the greatest tragedies traced throughout history since the time of Christ. While the Acts of the Apostles and other New Testament writings record instances of Jewish persecutions of the followers of Christ, Christian persecutions of Jews soon surfaced after Christians became more numerous and politically influential.
Obviously, such religious persecution, particularly when laced with violence, has no place in authentic Judaism or Christianity. St. Paul, in particular, took great pains to remind the early Christians that “the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable,” that the Jewish people are still, and always will be, God’s chosen people, for God chose them for His revelation and divine favor through Abraham and the other patriarchs and prophets. As Christians, we cannot fail to recognize this truth, for which we owe the Jews the greatest respect and gratitude!
But most important of all, God also chose the Jewish people through the incarnation of His Son Jesus. Obviously, this is the point of disagreement between Jews and Christians which is impossible to overlook. As Christians, we need to be like St. Paul, striving to share the treasure of our faith with all non-Christians, particularly the Jews. But evangelization must ever respect individual freedom, for it is always sinful and sinister and shameful to attempt to coerce others to believe.
posted by FrPitstick | 11/02/2007
<< Home