Debt To Our Jewish Ancestors of Faith
'And he (the other criminal) said, "Jesus remember me when you come in your kingly power." And he (Jesus Christ) said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."' (Luke 23:42-43)
The above is a most comforting scene from the Passion of Jesus. This criminal's prayer sums up the Faith so many of our Jewish benefactors have passed on to us. As many of us begin Holy Week today recalling the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior; we may wish to reflect on those who during the pre-Christian era received and protected the Faith in the One, True God--our Jewish ancestors in Faith. We must not forget that after Adam's fall that it was through these People of Faith; trusting in God's promise in the coming Messiah--Christ--the Faith was transmitted. The early part of this week is a good time to meditate on Noah, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, the Prophets and all those Jewish (Old) Testament figures to whom we owe so much. This Faith that motivated John the Baptist and the Faith and Trust that allowed the young Virgin Mary and the humble Joseph to respond to God's call. All this culminating in the Incarnation of God, Jesus, Our Lord and Savior--a Jew--redeeming the World.
If we have any Jewish friends or acquaintances, wouldn't the next couple of days be the ideal time to thank them for preserving the Faith in the True God and gently invite them to be open to the greatest wonder of God, i.e., that being that the One True God is a "Triune God".
May the graces that burst from Heaven during this most holy week of the year penetrate the hearts of all of us, those we love, those we don't know and those we do not love.
I pray that we all hear Jesus' comforting voice say, "Truly, I say to you, today you are one with Me and soon you will be with Me in Paradise!"
The above is a most comforting scene from the Passion of Jesus. This criminal's prayer sums up the Faith so many of our Jewish benefactors have passed on to us. As many of us begin Holy Week today recalling the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior; we may wish to reflect on those who during the pre-Christian era received and protected the Faith in the One, True God--our Jewish ancestors in Faith. We must not forget that after Adam's fall that it was through these People of Faith; trusting in God's promise in the coming Messiah--Christ--the Faith was transmitted. The early part of this week is a good time to meditate on Noah, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, the Prophets and all those Jewish (Old) Testament figures to whom we owe so much. This Faith that motivated John the Baptist and the Faith and Trust that allowed the young Virgin Mary and the humble Joseph to respond to God's call. All this culminating in the Incarnation of God, Jesus, Our Lord and Savior--a Jew--redeeming the World.
If we have any Jewish friends or acquaintances, wouldn't the next couple of days be the ideal time to thank them for preserving the Faith in the True God and gently invite them to be open to the greatest wonder of God, i.e., that being that the One True God is a "Triune God".
May the graces that burst from Heaven during this most holy week of the year penetrate the hearts of all of us, those we love, those we don't know and those we do not love.
I pray that we all hear Jesus' comforting voice say, "Truly, I say to you, today you are one with Me and soon you will be with Me in Paradise!"
Labels: Reflection
posted by Paul Amrhein | 5:34 PM
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