Today's Gospel brings up the issue. We may cringe when we hear the phrase, "The Jews quarreled among themselves..." (Jn 6:52) It sounds like a reference to an entire group of people, yet it cannot be. To make a comparison: Suppose I run into a delegate from the Republican Convention. I ask him, "Tell me, what really went on behind the scenes in Philadelphia?"
He says, "Oh, the Americans were arguing with each other."
I would rightly question him, "What do you mean? Weren't they all Americans? And what are you?"
It was the same at the multiplication of the loaves. Unless some Gentile smuggled in, they were all Jews, as was Jesus, as was the author of the Fourth Gospel. Each time we hear the phrase "The Jews" in John's Gospel, we must be aware of that context. We cannot apply the references (forged in a time of heated polemic) to an entire people.
Still, how should we understand those references? I hardly have a complete answer, but I think we can learn from Pope John Paul. In Witness to Hope George Weigel brings out his relationship with the Jewish people - from his childhood, through World War II and then at the Vatican Council where he contributed to the beautiful statements about our Christian debt to Judaism and what St. Paul taught about God's election and gift being "irrevocable." (Rom 11:29) John Paul II has applied this rich theology on many occasions, for example during his 1997 visit to Auschwitz and as the first pope to pray inside Rome's synagogue. This past year he took significant steps in the request for pardon* and his historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Within Judaism we see tremendous variety. Many modern Jews consider themselves atheists. Others, like certain Catholics, practice their religion in limited ways. And some show an intensity of faith which we can learn from. That small group has given us important allies in the struggle with a secularized culture and its hostility to a morality beyond "consensus" - or the will of the stronger.
And we cannot help thank God for Jewish converts to Catholicism. Two people who come to mind are Cardinal Lustiger and Rosalind Moss. Besides them many others have enriched our Church. While we do not take an aggressive approach ("proselytizing") we pray for the conversion of all and look for opportunities to tell about our faith.
That is where today's Gospel comes in. Quarrel sounds too strong, but to not enter dialogue is like hiding ones lamp under a bushel basket. I don't know about you, but I am more likely to clam up than argue. Flight and fight are both temptations. To engage the other person requires tact, virture - and grace. After all Jesus does offer "true food" and "true drink." On the last day I would hate to think someone went hungry or died of thirst because I was unwilling to open up what I had so freely received.
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*"In recalling the sufferings endured by the people of Israel throughout history, Christians will acknowledge the sins committed by not a few of their number against the people of the covenant." The pope acknowledged that we are "deeply saddened by the behavior of those who in the course of history have caused these children of yours to suffer." March 7, 2000 (See Memory and Reconciliation The Church and the Faults of the Past)
From Archives (20th Ordinary Sunday - Year B):
Audio Files of Homilies (Simple Catholicism Blog)
Are these homilies a help to you? Please consider making a donation to St. Mary of the Valley Parish.
Fr. Michael White's Homilies ("messages")
Bulletin (St. Mary's Parish)
Parish Picture Album
(current)
Parish Picture Album
(August 2012)
St. Mary of the Valley Album
(August 2009)
(Pilgrimage to pray for comprehensive immigration reform)
Bulletin (More on Melanie, Petitions for Pharmacists, Tuna Fishing Trip)
Request prayers for my sister Melanie
MBC - Mary Bloom Center, Puno, Peru
A Modern Quarrel: Should Health Care Plans Pay for Contraceptives?
The School Voucher Issue