![]() In the first couple of centuries, many Christians would have had a natural instinct to exclaim: “Come on, old friends. The problem with the relationship between Christians and Jews is that it is a deep mystery. It is intended to be a starting point for further theological thought with a view to enriching and intensifying the theological dimension of Jewish-Catholic dialogue. To quote its own Preface: The text is not a magisterial document or doctrinal teaching of the Catholic Church, but is a reflection prepared by the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews on current theological questions that have developed since the Second Vatican Council. Perhaps the first thing that wary readers need to know is that this was not intended to be an exercise of the Magisterium. The document in question is “ The Gifts and the Calling of God are Irrevocable (Rom 11:29)”. To indicate that things are not all that they seem, I’ve put it in quotes! Nonetheless, I’ve used the term “conversion” in my title again today because it is the best way to draw attention to the difference between what the document says and what many readers might guess that it says. When we join these early followers of Jesus in inviting others into the story of God’s love for all people, we are also living out of our identity as God’s chosen people-those whose special purpose has always been to extend God’s inclusive love to many.A somewhat more accurate, but far less interesting, headline might have read something like this: “New Vatican document: Catholics must honor Jewish faith in Old Covenant but witness to Christ as its fulfillment”. He says that any of those who have received mercy from God now have the special role of “declaring the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” ![]() This is why Peter, when he writes his letter to a mixed group of Jesus’ followers, applies the language of the chosen nation to them, calling them “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9). This woman then goes on to invite many others into the story of Jesus (John 4:39-42). Jesus invites her into a conversation and reveals to her that he is the Messiah she and her people have been waiting for. For example, one of Jesus’ early followers was a non-Jewish, Samaritan woman who is not from the chosen nation of Israel (John 4). We can see this at play in the ministry of Jesus and his followers. Instead, God works out his plan to extend his love to all the world through one group or individual. God chooses Israel and ultimately Jesus, and this results in the exact opposite of God favoring one group to the exclusion of all others. Yet God’s people continually fail at their task by worshiping other gods and participating in injustice and oppression (e.g., Exodus 32 Isaiah 1-3). They have seen and experienced Yahweh’s power and rescue for themselves. Israel is in the perfect position to reveal God to the nations. They are called to display who Yahweh is to all the nations, so that all would come to know and worship the one true God. Israel is not chosen for salvation but for a purpose. Again, God chooses one out of the many, so that the many would be blessed.īut how will they do this? In other words, what does it mean to be a holy nation (Exodus 19:6)? Israel is meant to faithfully represent God by how they live as a community of love, justice, and worship of Yahweh alone. So Israel’s role is to reconcile all the nations to Yahweh. In this example, who are the two parties? The only other characters in the story at this point are Yahweh and the nations. He says, “Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6).Ĭonsider that important phrase, “kingdom of priests.” The role of a priest is to mediate, or restore the relationship between two parties. ![]() In the very next sentence, Godl reveals why he has chosen Israel. “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5). God again calls Israel his chosen nation. After God rescues his people out of Egypt, he leads them to Mount Sinai to establish a covenant partnership with them.
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