RBWords

     Having been converted from being a zealous Pharisee by direct intervention of Christ, Paul loses none of his zeal.  He is anxious to share his newfound faith in Christ with his own "flesh" - his fellow Jews.  But it is clear that many of them will have none of it!  This makes him anxious about their place in God's plan.  This same anxiety still exists today.  On the negative side it is expressed in anti-semitism - a vicious and lethal prejudice, as the Nazi Holocaust and much Christian history clearly demonstrate beyond any doubt.  On the positive side, the Vatican II document NOSTRA AETATE on the relationship of the Church with non-Christian religions should be required reading, along with subsequent documents that clearly discourage any effort on the part of Catholics to try to convert Jews to Christianity.  The fundamental reason behind this is that the roots of Christianity are firmly fixed in the Chosen People.  Jesus was a Jew.  St. Paul's words today speak to those roots.  Tomorrow's first scripture will contain these words that appear a few verses later:  In respect to the gospel, they [Jews] are enemies on your account; but in respect to election, they are beloved because of the patriarch. [Abraham].  For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.

     We cannot reject Judaism without rejecting an essential element of our own faith and the person of Jesus!  There are some things that we must leave, in a positive way, to God.  The old expression, "How odd of God to choose the Jews," can be the gateway to anti-semitism.  It is far better to learn from our Jewish brothers and sisters about our own roots of faith and see God's plan of salvation in greater depth.  AMEN