Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
(Romans 11:29-36; Luke 14:12-14)
Anti-Semitism has marred western
civilization since the time of Christ.
The polemic against the Pharisees and, to an extent, all Jews in the gospels
is understandable. Jews had ejected
Christians from synagogues where they prayed together. Although some Church Fathers wanted to protect
Jews, others quite vehemently condemned them.
The influential Fourth Lateran Council in 1215 mandated that Jews wear
marks of identification which could not help but increase hateful
discrimination. The Jewish list of
grievances extends for volumes.
St. Paul certainly had a different
perspective. He never forsook his Jewish heritage although, of course, he swore
complete allegiance to Christ. In today’s
passage from the Letter to the Romans Paul affirms that God’s election of
Israel as His “Chosen People” cannot be undone.
As unlikely as it may seem, he foresees the time when they too will become
part of Christ’s fold.
With society becoming increasingly
fractionated, we must be ready to stand up for all minorities. We should not allow prejudicial remarks
against Blacks, Jews, and other traditionally slandered peoples go uncontested. Jesus was a Jew, but more importantly he
suffered and died on behalf of all. If
we really love him, we will defend the dignity of all human beings.
