The Word of God this Sunday, Mt 22:1-14, talks about God’s continuous invitation to Jews and pagans alike to participate in the banquet of love prepared for his Son. This reminded me of one of the most significant things (if not the most significant) that happened to me in my pilgrimage to Jerusalem last September.During that pilgrimage, actually a gift for my Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession, I “secretly wished” (=prayed) that I could meet and talk to a full-blooded Jew! I wanted to know a bit more of this people, from whom my Lord and husband Jesus came. But it seemed to be an impossible feat. I asked our guide, Fr. Pio, a Franciscan friar from Italy, if there were any Jewish believers of Jesus Christ. He said, a few hundred, but in secret. Walking along the Jewish quarters of Jerusalem, he even made us note how the conservative Jews avoided looking at us, Christian pilgrims. So I said that’s that… end of my “secret desire.”
On September 14, a Sunday, due to the insistent request of the group, Fr. Pio had to give in and allowed us an hour or so to take a dip in the Dead Sea. I wasn’t really prepared for that but there was a nagging feeling that pushed me to improvise and go. Guess what followed!
For those who know these salty waters, there was really no way you’d drown here but just the same it was very tricky since it was actually all mud under. Time and again, I found myself “sinking” until I decided to stay put in one place and immerse myself. And lo and behold – a middle-aged man struck a conversation with me! It started with – “where are you from?” I immediately sensed I was talking to a full-blooded Jew, yes, right there at the Dead Sea, while we were both floating!!
We went quite far in the presentation until he asked me, “What do you know about the Jews? What do you think was our greatest contribution to humanity?” And I dared – “Oh, you’re almost always the best in everything but the best contribution? Your co-national Jesus Christ! I’m just sorry you don’t believe in him!” And from that statement he brought me to some painful parts of Christian-Jewish history- persecution-holocaust, etc. At any rate, I pointed out to him how many Christians helped save the Jews too.
Then came his challenge: “Okay, let me test you. If you were to introduce Jesus to me, a Jew, how would you do it? Where would you start? How can you me make me jealous of what you have?” At that point, I sensed he already knew something about our Christian scriptures – he was practically quoting St. Paul to me (Rom 9-11).
I started with the synthesis of Jesus’ teaching – Love. He was sent for that. He spent all his life for that. The Jewish “stranger” protested, “that’s too general.” I need to tell him more. I hesitated, asking if he knew the Scriptures enough. And he assured me, he knows as much is needed to be able to follow me. And I told him about forgiveness, the best proof of love. Has he experienced real forgiveness in his life? Will he be able to forgive all those things we mentioned earlier about the Christian persecution of the Jews, etc…?
I was getting too immersed, not only on the salty water but also on this discussion that I was afraid my pilgrim friends would leave me behind. I started excusing myself. But he won’t let me go. Instead he took up the topic again and said—“let me show you how you can present Jesus to me. First, yes—you have to say that he came because of love. God loves the Jews so much, that’s why he came, not in another land, but in this land, here in Palestine. That no matter how much we have rejected him, he continues to offer forgiveness, peace. God wants to embrace his people, the Jews, by sending Jesus Christ.”
“Aha! You are a believer, then!” I shouted as I started to move towards the beach, throwing him a flying kiss, and added: “I will pray for you… that you stop waiting for the Messiah.” And he shouted back: “He has come, and will come again!”
As I reached the beach, two ladies approached me and said, “We could overhear your conversation. Jacob could not help himself. It’s just too strong—his need to talk about the Messiah.” And I asked, “but who is he?” And they replied, “He is our founder. We are from all parts of the world, carrying out this special mission to present Jesus Christ to the Jews!” Before long, he was behind me saying, “if you want to know more about us, see our website, trumpetofsalvation.org.
Whoever said God does not answer our prayers nor heed the secret desires of our hearts? Whoever thought that God has given up on his people?
