In the Declaration Nostra Aetate no. 4, Vatican Council II manifests the doctrine consistently recognized by the Church ever since the time of Saint Paul, that the Jewish People would finally convert to the Lord: “Nevertheless, God holds the Jews most dear for the sake of their Fathers; He does not repent of the gifts He makes or of the calls He issues. Such is the testimony of the Apostle (Rom 11:28-29, cf. Lumen Gentium, 16: AAS 57, 1965, p. 20). In company with the Prophets and the same Apostle, the Church awaits that day, known to God alone, on which all peoples will address the Lord in a single voice and ‘serve him of one accord’ (Zeph 3:9) (cf. Is 66:23 Ps 65:4 Rom 11:11-32).”ever, certain recent affirmations may give the impression that the Israelites should remain as they presently are…
Has God ceased to love the Hebrew people? Does He no longer desire their conversion? Will they be saved while trying to follow the Old Law? Have they kept the faith in God? Do the Jewish rites have a salvific efficacy as the Sacraments do? Are there two paths to Salvation — that of the Old and New Covenant? Should the Church learn from the Jews?
The more questions one raises, the more one seems to get entangled. Let us consider the doctrine of the Church, already twenty centuries old, so as to understand this clearly and to truly love the Jews in truth. Read more…
