3 November. A rabbi and a priests met and held a discussion. “What is going on in Israel, Gaza and large parts of the Middle East these days is extremely worrying, frightening and terribly tragic for everyone.  Sometimes it does seem that the Jews and Christians are on the way out and radical Jihadist Muslims are taking over that part of the world. But some of us, Israelites, still hold on to the belief that this land is God’s gift to us, where God is present in a special way.  Jesus himself could foresee the destruction of Jerusalem in his own day.  What about today?  Have we listened to the prophets of our time? We, Jews, still dream of a “homeland” for the family of God,” Rabbi Jenkowitz shared.  Fr Meindl responded, “We Christians still follow Jesus who was on a mission to heal and free people from all evil. His journey was to end in Jerusalem. Are we not called to be peacemakers somehow?  

Reflect, share, Scripture.  Paul wrote,  “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the law; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Rom 9:1-5 Pope Francis: sincere and humble worship of God bears fruit not in discrimination, hatred and violence, but in respect for the sacredness of life, respect for the dignity and freedom of others and loving commitment to the welfare of all. Terrorism is deplorable and threatens the security of people and disseminates panic, terror and pessimism, but this is not due to religion, even when terrorists instrumentalise it.  It is due, to an accumulation of incorrect interpretations of religious texts and policies linked to hunger, poverty, injustice, oppression and pride.  FT 283. Action and prayer:  Remember in prayer the needs of those we have loved and lost.