“HOLY KINSHIP”  

“Everyone can become brothers and sisters if they believe in Me.” (Inner Word)

This refers to the kinship our Lord speaks of in the Gospel:

“Some one told him, ‘Your mother and your brethren are standing outside, asking to speak to you’. But he replied to the man who told him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brethren! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother.’” (Mt 12:47–50)

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A fresh look at the Jewish people

In the last two reflections, we have once again seen with sorrow that the Jews did not find a natural path to recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. That the transition—or rather, the fulfillment—of the path taken thus far in following the Son of God was not only possible but actually occurred was evident in the Lord’s apostles and in those who had come to faith. This was particularly clear in the case of Saint Paul, who came from the learned circles of Judaism and experienced his conversion and enlightenment as a great grace. God was at work with authority and confirmed His Son through signs and wonders as well. But since this was not recognized and the estrangement grew ever greater, there was no longer a common path. The consequence was the exclusion of those who confessed the Messiah following the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70 and the reorganization of Judaism.

As sad as this may be, this separation was likely inevitable, for the recognition of the Son of God as the Messiah was the decisive moment—and will remain so—that opens the door of grace for humanity. The response to follow Him is the decisive moment through which the grace the Son of God brought to earth may reach people.

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