Dialogue ... Is Essential
Dialogue with our Jewish sisters and brothers is also considered to be essential – “We hold the Jewish people in special regard because their covenant with God has never been revoked, for ‘the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable’ (Romans 11:29)” (Evangelii Gaudium 247). Christians are not to consider “Judaism as a foreign religion; nor do we include the Jews among those called to turn from idols and to serve the true God (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:9). With them, we believe in the one God who acts in history, and with them we accept his revealed word” (E.G. 247). Christians find in the Jewish faith “the sacred roots of her own Christian identity” (E.G. 247).
At one time, it was “fashionable” to call all Jewish people “Christ-killers,” which is untrue. Only the Jewish leaders wanted to destroy Jesus and his message, which was leading people away from their authority. Pope Francis states that “The friendship which has grown between us makes us bitterly and sincerely regret the terrible persecutions which they have endured, and continue to endure, especially those that have involved Christians” (E.G. 248).
The Holy Father affirms the teaching of Vatican II that “God continues to work among the people of the Old Covenant and to bring forth treasures of wisdom which flow from their encounter with his word” (E.G. 249). Although Judaism does not recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah, the Church must proclaim this belief while recognizing “there exists as well a rich complementarity which allows us to read the texts of the Hebrew Scriptures together and to help one another to mine the riches of God’s word. We … also share many ethical convictions and a common concern for justice…” (E.G. 249).
Dialogue with non-Christians is also considered to be a “necessary condition for peace in the world, and so it is a duty for Christians…. This dialogue is in first place a conversation about human existence … a matter of being open to them, sharing their joys and sorrows. …we learn to accept others and their different ways of living, thinking and speaking. We can then join one another in taking up the duty of serving justice and peace, which should become a basic principle of all our exchanges” (E.G. 250). The Holy Father insists we are not to ignore what we believe, “True openness involves remaining steadfast in one’s deepest convictions, clear and joyful in one’s own identity, while at the same time being open to understanding those of the other party and knowing that dialogue can enrich each side” (E.G. 251).
Pope Francis contends that the Church’s relationship “with the followers of Islam has taken on great importance, since they are now significantly present in many traditionally Christian countries, where they can freely worship and become fully a part of society” (E.G. 252). He reminds us how “We must never forget that they also profess … the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God….” (E.G. 252). Many Catholics are unaware that “The sacred writings of Islam have retained some Christian teachings; Jesus and Mary receive profound veneration and it is admirable to see how Muslims … make time for daily prayer and faithfully take part in religious services…. They also respond to God with an ethical commitment and with mercy toward those most in need” (E.G. 252). “Faced with disconcerting episodes of violent fundamentalism, our respect for true followers of Islam should lead us to avoid hateful generalizations, for authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence” (E.G. 253). The Holy Father’s words draws a sharp division between faithful Muslims and those belonging to more fanatical groups.
