In the last two reflections, we have once again seen with sorrow that the Jews did not find a natural path to recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. That the transition—or rather, the fulfillment—of the path taken thus far in following the Son of God was not only possible but actually occurred was evident in the Lord’s apostles and in those who had come to faith. This was particularly clear in the case of Saint Paul, who came from the learned circles of Judaism and experienced his conversion and enlightenment as a great grace. God was at work with authority and confirmed His Son through signs and wonders as well. But since this was not recognized and the estrangement grew ever greater, there was no longer a common path. The consequence was the exclusion of those who confessed the Messiah following the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70 and the reorganization of Judaism.
As sad as this may be, this separation was likely inevitable, for the recognition of the Son of God as the Messiah was the decisive moment—and will remain so—that opens the door of grace for humanity. The response to follow Him is the decisive moment through which the grace the Son of God brought to earth may reach people.
“And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.” (John 1:16)
From the perspective of truth, no indifferent parallel paths to salvation were possible, for otherwise the coming of the Son of God to earth would not have been necessary. He fulfilled the Law and the Prophets and, as the Lamb of God, gave His life for the redemption of humanity.
The decisive point remains the knowledge given in the Holy Spirit: “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Cor 12:3b) This knowledge is a gift from God for which one may ask. Just as the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the light to understand the Scriptures at Pentecost, and just as the Risen One opened the Scriptures to His disciples, so too does the supernatural light of God make it possible to recognize who Jesus is and all that follows from this. We ask for this for all people, but especially for those who have been waiting so long for the Messiah.
Today, a responsible dialogue with Jews who are believers and open to conversation makes sense. A theological exchange on matters valuable to both sides can be fruitful, for Jesus was a Jew, as were His disciples. Such conversations may also help counteract the bitterness of a past—unfortunately often dark—in the relationship between Jews and Christians.
However, what neither helps the people of the Old Covenant nor corresponds to the mission that Jesus entrusted to His Church is the increasingly common assertion on the Catholic side that the Jewish way in itself constitutes a valid path to salvation and that conversion to Jesus is unnecessary. This was not the case nearly two thousand years ago, it is not the case today, and it will not be the case in the future.
Meanwhile, this erroneous view is even being extended to other religions. Yet such deception misleads Jews, Christians, people of other religions, and seekers as well.
It remains the mission of the risen Lord, which is God’s invitation to all people to attain salvation through His Son. No one should be forced to do so; rather, the truth of the proclamation must be supported by a life of integrity.
Time and again, the concern of Saint Paul is close to my heart: that the brothers of his people, from whom he came and whom he loved, may recognize their Messiah and find the way to the Holy Church. A friend of our community has found this path, and we rejoice in all that this has brought about. In a book he has published, we find testimonies from some Jews who describe their journey to the knowledge of Christ. It gives hope to hear this, and it shows that God Himself has not ceased to seek His “first love.”
If the Lord does not cease, then we too must not cease to do our part so that the Jews of today may recognize their Messiah. And even if it is only fervent prayer in secret—we should never neglect that.
Finally, I would like to give the floor to a former rabbi from the aforementioned book who has found his way to Jesus.
When asked why he had abandoned the synagogue in favor of the Church, Zolli replied:
“But I haven’t abandoned it! Christianity is the fulfillment, the crowning glory of the synagogue. For the synagogue was a promise, and Christianity is the fulfillment of that promise. The synagogue pointed toward Christianity. Christianity presupposes the synagogue. So you see that one cannot exist without the other. I have converted to living Christianity. Taste and see!”
—Rabbi Israel Zolli, from: Roy Schoeman: “Honey from the rock”
Reflection on today’s reading: https://en.elijamission.net/the-guidance-of-the-holy-spirit-2/
Reflection on today’s Gospel: https://en.elijamission.net/shepherds-must-be-vigilant-2/
