God’s Chosen People

National Catholic Register ^ | November 23, 2005

[NYer]

Dialoguing with the Jewish people is harder than you think.

It has looked easy recently. The Church is still basking in the glow of the 40th anniversary of the day Pope Paul VI signed a document of the Second Vatican Council that transformed relations between Catholics and Jews. It was the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, Nostra Aetate.

But don’t just take a Catholic newspaper’s word for it. Listen to Washington Jewish Week. It quoted Al Vorspan, a longtime Jewish Reform movement activist. He’s 81 now, and remembers what happened 40 years ago. “I think it’s been revolutionary,” he said. “Of all the revolutions [of the 1960s], this may have had as profound an impact as any of them.”

Catholics and Jews regarded each other with deep suspicion before. Conservative Rabbi Stanley Rabinowitz describes the time since then as “an era of good feelings,” in which, “to the extent we had issues, at least we could talk about them with ease.”

So, what’s the difficulty?

We saw it when the Holy See observed the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate in late October. Rome’s chief rabbi, Riccardo di Segna, boycotted the event. The reason: One of the speakers was the retired archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, a former Jew who became a Catholic as a youth. According to the paper, the rabbi thought the cardinal’s presence clashed with the document’s message of respect for Jewish identity.

It reminded us of a PBS tribute to Pope John Paul II that praised his respect for the Jewish people, but regretted that he didn’t go further.

Jewish journalist Neal Acherson was at Auschwitz when the Pope visited in 1979 and blessed the Carmelites there. A line of nuns passed before the Pope’s encouraging eyes, but then one stopped. She told the Pope, “I want you to know that I am a Russian Jew who converted.” The Holy Father’s mood changed; he was “immensely moved,” said Acherson. “Tears ran down his face, and he embraced her. I think that’s very significant. Because he isn’t free, to put it mildly, of Catholic triumphalism.”

For Jewish critics, said the PBS piece, “Edith Stein is emblematic of an imperial Catholic impulse to celebrate those who have ‘seen the light.’”

Indeed, Catholics do celebrate when a Jewish person — or any person — joins our family. We don’t consider it a slight to what they were when they take that step. In fact, we hope they will bring the best of what they were into the Church.

And here lies an inherent tension between the Catholic and the Jewish side of the dialogue — a tension that is no less keenly felt for being subtle.

Jewish dialoguers expect increased respect and acceptance, but they would be shocked and not necessarily enthusiastic if their Catholic dialogue partner suddenly declared his intention to become Jewish. That’s because the Jewish people consider themselves a race, a bloodline, as well as a confession.

In its dialogue with Judaism, the Church isn’t looking to convert Jews (more on that in a moment). But when anyone converts, we are overjoyed. That’s because Christianity is a confession and a different kind of bloodline — one established by Christ for all people.

That’s not to say that the Catholic should use dialogue as a pretense for proselytizing Jews. At his inaugural Mass homily, Pope Benedict XVI greeted “the Jewish people, to whom we are joined by a great shared spiritual heritage, one rooted in God’s irrevocable promises.”

It’s a reference to the fact that the Jews’ relationship with God is unique. When Peter Seewald asked Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, three years before he became Pope Benedict, “Are the Jews still God’s chosen people?” Cardinal Ratzinger answered, “God has not abandoned them.” He quoted St. Paul in the Letter to the Romans, saying, “In the end all of Israel will be brought home.” God hasn’t retracted his word to the chosen people. Why not? “Because he is faithful.”

In a nice turn of phrase, Cardinal Ratzinger said of the Jews, “they stand within the patience of God in which we, too, place our trust.”

We, too, are glad 40 years later at the progress made in Catholic-Jewish relations. They are our elder brothers in the faith, as Pope John Paul II put it. “Nor can we forget,” as Nostra Aetate put it, that we have been grafted as “wild shoots” to the tree of Judaism, and draw sustenance from the same root.

We acknowledge the unique place of the Jewish people in God’s heart. But, meaning no disrespect, we long for the day when all races will be united under the One Messiah.

[NYer]

Nostra Aetate - DECLARATION ON THE RELATION OF THE CHURCH TO NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS

[NYer]

Pope Benedict XVI shaking hands with rabbi Netanel Teitelbaum

* * * * *

Papal address at Cologne synagogue

Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) encouraged "sincere and trustful dialogue" between Christians and Jews, and condemned the "unimaginable crime" of the Holocaust, during an August 19 visit to the synagogue in Cologne.

To the sound of a ram's horn, and the traditional Hebrew greeting, "Shalom alechem," Pope Benedict became the second Roman Pontiff ever to visit a synagogue. He used the occasion, on the second day of his visit to Germany, to underline his intention to pursue close relations with Judaism, noting that this was "a path on which Pope John Paul II (bio - news) had already taken decisive steps."

During the talk he delivered as a prayer service in the synagogue, the Holy Father said that talks between Christians and Jews should not "pass over existing differences in silence or minimize them;" a frank discussion, conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect, is the sure path to deeper friendship, he said.

Pope Benedict recalled that the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate (doc) set the stage for stronger Christian-Jewish relations, emphasizing the common spiritual heritage of the Biblical faiths. The Church, he said, condemned anti-Semitism unreservedly, while also mentioning the respect that should be accorded to Muslims and members of other religious traditions. "Before God, all men have the same value and the same dignity," he said.

The Catholic Church, the Pope continued, must transmit this teaching to future generations, guarding against the revival of the sort of racial hatreds that sparked the Holocaust. He observed with concern that "today, unfortunately, new signs of anti-Semitism are emerging, along with various forms of generalized hostility toward strangers."

The "long and often painful" history of relations between Christians and Jews had its most frightening moments in the 20th century, the Pontiff said, stressing that the Holocaust was the product of "a made racist ideology, of neo-pagan conception." As the world marks the 60th anniversary of the close of World War II, he said, Christians and Jews should now work together "for the defense and promotion of human rights and the sacred character of human life, for family values, for social justice, and for peace in the world."

Adults, the Pope said, have a duty to "pass on to the young the flame of hope which God has given to Jews as to Christians, so that the forces of evil never take power." He voiced his hope and prayer that "future generations, with God's help, can build a more just and peaceful world."

The Pope's address was warmly applauded by the members of Cologne's Jewish community. He spoke after a prayer service that included readings from the Book of Genesis and the Psalms, and addresses by two leaders of the synagogue. One of those speakers, Abraham Lehrer, urged the Pope to open the secret Vatican Archives, to answer lingering questions about the role of the Holy See during the years of the Holocaust.

[Tantumergo]

"“Nor can we forget,” as Nostra Aetate put it, that we have been grafted as “wild shoots” to the tree of Judaism, and draw sustenance from the same root."

Nor should we forget to quote the whole text of St. Paul in order to put it into proper context i.e. in order that the "wild shoots" could be grafted in, He first cut off the "natural shoots" and they will only be grafted back in when they come to faith in Christ - not before!:

Romans 11,21 "For if God hath not spared the natural branches, fear lest perhaps he also spare not thee. 22 See then the goodness and the severity of God: towards them indeed that are fallen, the severity; but towards thee, the goodness of God, if thou abide in goodness, otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, IF THEY ABIDE NOT STILL IN UNBELIEF, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the wild olive tree, which is natural to thee; and, contrary to nature, were grafted into the good olive tree; how much more shall they that are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"

[Alexander Rubin]

Fair enough. For the record, Judaism does seek converts. There are more than a handful in my family, for example. And it's not done to say that they are not full Jews. The difference is you have to seek conversion, and it is the Rabbi's duty to make sure you are sincere (which often means he will try to dissuade the applicant). But once you're in, you're in all the way and that's that.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Here is my position on the matter: The Church and Israel

[HarleyD]

When Peter Seewald asked Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, three years before he became Pope Benedict, “Are the Jews still God’s chosen people?” Cardinal Ratzinger answered, “God has not abandoned them.”

He should check what the first Pope had to say about the matter:

1Pe 2:9-10 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

And Peter wasn't talking about the Jews.

[siunevada]

Abraham Lehrer, urged the Pope to open the secret Vatican Archives

No problem-o. Secret Archives

I always get a kick out of that page. If you're telling me about them, how 'secret' can they be?

There must be super-duper secret archives.

[Nihil Obstat]

Where in that does it say that God has abandoned the Jews? It says the Christians "are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION..." but that doesn't necessarily mean He abandoned the Jews.

But at least you are admitting that Peter was the first Pope.

God bless you for that.

[Prod Convert]

Catholic triumphalism.....

There's a fundamental impasse here, no denying it.

How sad. The Church cannot help being what it is - it was founded by Jesus Christ Himself, when St. Peter the Rock was given the keys to the kingdom. We will continue to celebrate every convert, and spread the Gospel in our own ways to the whole world. Christ commanded us thus. Believe it... or....not.

[taxesareforever]

We acknowledge the unique place of the Jewish people in God’s heart. But, meaning no disrespect, we long for the day when all races will be united under the One Messiah.

Unique place in God' heart? Don't think so. Everyone is unique in God's heart for he wants all to be saved. No one is more special than another to God.

[HarleyD]

You are save by grace through faith. If you do not believe that Jesus is the Christ you are not born of God. God's blessings and promises are ONLY for His children.

The Catholics on this site spend a great deal of time pointing back to the early Church fathers writings. I would challenge them to point me to ANY writings within the first 600 years of the Church that states God favors the Jews as well as Christians or that God has not abandon them.

It is absolutely WRONG to whitewash this over. The Jews need to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus and it is my earnest prayer that God will reveal this truth to them. You are not doing them any kindness by telling them otherwise.

[Nihil Obstat]

I'm not arguing that with you at all. Of course they need conversion.

But God doesn't abandon people; people abandon God.

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend. God bless you and yours.

[Conservative til I die]

The reason: One of the speakers was the retired archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, a former Jew who became a Catholic as a youth. According to the paper, the rabbi thought the cardinal’s presence clashed with the document’s message of respect for Jewish identity.

And I guess the good Rabbi's views clash with respect for freedom of religion. What an idiot.

[Conservative til I die]

Unique place in God' heart? Don't think so. Everyone is unique in God's heart for he wants all to be saved. No one is more special than another to God.

Tell that to the ones God has cast into Hell for eternity.

[NYer]

And I guess the good Rabbi's views clash with respect for freedom of religion. What an idiot.

Once a Jew; always a Jew. It's intrinsic to their nature. Even Jewish converts struggle with this, acknowledging Jesus as the Jewish Messiah yet seeking to retain their heritage. I don't think it has anything to do with respect for religious freedom; rather, it's respect for one's Jewish heritage. We see this with catholics as well. The most heterodox ones, who disagree with certain doctrines, still consider themselves "catholic". Once a Catholic; always a Catholic.

[taxesareforever]

Unique place in God' heart? Don't think so. Everyone is unique in God's heart for he wants all to be saved. No one is more special than another to God. Tell that to the ones God has cast into Hell for eternity.

They turned their backs on God. God wants all to be saved. How many people have heard the phrase "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" and yet have no use for God. Don't blame God for those in hell, they chose the wide path. The gift of Eternal Life is offered to all. If they choose to refuse it they only have themselves to blame.

[ephraimlad]

Nihil, agreed: The Bible is emphatic about the perpetuity of God's covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The common "spiritualizing of Israel" based on taking Galations 3 out of context is rampant and (I believe) born out a lack of interest in applying the promises given to Israel to someone other than themselves (or simply exegetical laziness.)

However, I would challenge you to show - in the Word - where "Christians" comprise the "chosen people" now.

It's simply not there. Indeed, the New Covenant was not given to all peoples, but to the literal, physical House of Israel and the House of Judah (See Hebrews 8:8, which refers back to Jeremiah 31:31-34.)

I believe this is simply an issue of misidentification. If we can't correctly identify Israel, how can we understand the prophecies given to them?

[Nihil Obstat]

Welcome to Free Republic.

Usually we point to Romans 11:13-31 - especially verse 17 -- that we Christians "were grafted in their place and have come to share in the rich root of the olive tree,..."

and I Peter 2:9-10 (this probably answers your question better)

"...But you are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own, so that you may announce the praises" of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Once you were "no people" but now you are God's people; you "had not received mercy" but now you have received mercy."

We point to those verses in Jeremiah too (about making a new covenant), but you already mentioned that.

What interested you in this article from 4 months ago? It references a document titled "Nostra Aetate", Latin for "in our time". Maybe you are familiar with it? If not, this part could be of interest to you:

"4. Sounding the depths of the mystery which is the Church, this sacred Council remembers the spiritual ties which link the people of the New Covenant to the stock of Abraham.

The Church of Christ acknowledges that in God's plan of salvation the beginning of her faith and election is to be found in the patriarchs. Moses and the prophets. She professes that all Christ's faithful, who as men of faith are sons of Abraham (cf. Gal. 3:7), are included in the same patriarch's call and that the salvation of the Church is mystically prefigured in the exodus of God's chosen people from the land of bondage On this account the Church cannot forget that she received the revelation of the Old Testament by way of that people with whom God in his inexpressible mercy established the ancient covenant. Nor can she forget that she draws nourishment from that good olive tree onto which the wild olive branches of the Gentiles have been grafted (cf. Rom. 11:17-24). The Church believes that Christ who is our peace has through his cross reconciled Jews and Gentiles and made them one in himself (cf. Eph. 2:14-16).

Likewise, the Church keeps ever before her mind the words of the apostle Paul about his kinsmen: "they are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race according to the flesh, is the Christ" (Rom. 9:4-5), the son of the virgin Mary. She is mindful, moreover, that the apostles, the pillars on which the Church stands, are of Jewish descent, as are many of those early disciples who proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to the world.

As holy Scripture testifies, Jerusalem did not recognize God's moment when it came (cf. Lk. 19:42) Jews for the most part did not accept the Gospel; on the contrary, many opposed The spreading of it (cf. Rom. 11:28). Even so, The apostle Paul maintains that the Jews remain very dear to God. for the sake of the patriarchs since God does not take back the gifts he bestowed or the choice he made.2 Together with the prophets and that same apostle, the Church awaits the day, known to God alone, when all peoples will call on God with one voice and "serve him shoulder to shoulder" (Soph. 3 :9 cf. Is. 66:23; Ps. 65:4; Rom. 11:11-32)

Nostra Aetate http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_ec21na.htm

This book may be of interest to you too, especially chapter 3. The book is titled "Salvation is From the Jews".

http://salvationisfromthejews.com/frombook.html#TABLE_OF_CONTENTS

[Diego1618]

In 1 Peter the people addressed are not Christians. They are God's elect, living in Asia Minor along the shores of the Black Sea. If you notice in verse 2 these folks have a foreknowledge of God. These are not Gentiles. They are Israelites.

And Peter wasn't talking about the Jews.

You are correct in saying they are not Jews....they were the ones the Apostles were directed to evangelize in Matthew 10:6. These folks were carried into captivity about 721 b.c. and according to Biblical history only the Tribe of Judah (Jews) was left. Israel never returned. Peter is instructed by Our Saviour to feed the sheep three times in John 21:15-17. That's who these folks are.....partly.

[kerryusama04]

But Diego, Peter's letters come after Paul's letters in the Bible, so Peter couldn't possibly have been talking to Jews. /sarc

Unfortunately, most folks fail to contextualize the New Testament into first century terms. Of course Peter was talking to Jewish Christians. Remember, even after his vision telling him that Gentile's were OK now, he still wouldn't eat with a Gentile when Jews were around and Paul had to bust his chops over it.

Now, for a shocking moment in time, I have to disagree with you a bit.

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:27 For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on Christ. Gal 3:28 There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was enraged over the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

I personally believe that the recipe for salvation, the ticket to the first resurrection so to speak, is both Christ and The Commandments. Most Christians take a horribly deficient attitude to the Word of God, and modern Jews, of course, do not accept Christ as the Messiah. I pray that the call to come out of Babylon is heard well.

Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.