Saving Gentiles

Greetings on this the Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 11:1-18; PS 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:1-10

Jesus was clear in his ministry.

You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews (Jn 4:22).

This revelation is simple and straight forward. The Jewish people are the chosen ones by the will of God. They are the first to receive covenantal relationship with the Lord. It is through their blood lines Jesus comes and becomes savior of the world.

Period.

It gets more complicated as we try to build an understanding around the basic principle.

There is a very nice write-up on covenants here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenant_(biblical)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covenantal_theology_(Catholic_Church)

In our first reading Peter receives the vision of a shared destiny with the Gentiles.

These two sheep folds (Jews and Gentiles) have one Shepherd which we discussed in the 4th Sunday of Easter readings. We are to become one flock.

Jesus said, I am the gate for the sheep.

I won’t attempt anything more this morning reflection than this:

It is a divine imperative to establish bridges between the various religious traditions so as to make possible the divine will of unity come about. Yes, all want their voice to be primary.

But this mystery is much too deep to settle with force of arms or force of will.

Prayer, almsgiving and fasting are superior approaches.

For the Jewish people it is often an existential risk to take, smallest among the nations. Far more dangerous than for the Christian or Muslim. But they continue to seek peace. And so must we.

Every.Day.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry