Two conferences – one of Roman Catholics and Jews, and the other of Ecumenicals on the Israel-Palestine Conflict, recently took place on this day. The question for the history of Messianic Jews is: “where were we?”

The 21st meeting of the International Catholic-Jewish Liaison Committee (ILC) was held in Paris, France from February 27 – March 2, 2011.

The conference, titled “Forty Years of Dialogue – Reflections and Future Perspectives” addressed the past, present and future of Catholic-Jewish dialogue in its international settings. The event began with a review of the 40-year history of the ILC, which was begun in 1970. For the current conference, delegates came from the United States, Europe, Israel, Australia, Latin America and Africa. The conference highlighted the positive relationship that began with the Second Vatican Council and the promulgation of Nostra Aetate (the declaration on the relationship of the Church to non-Christian Religions) in 1965.

The ILC sponsored a special three-day pre-conference called the “Emerging Leadership Delegation”, which brought together young people from both faith communities to discuss the challenges of the future and to help expand the dialogue to involve more young people around the world. These delegates were invited to participate fully in the ILC plenary sessions where their insights and fresh ideas contributed positively to the proceedings.

A principal outcome of the conference was the deepening of personal relationships and of a shared desire to confront together the enormous challenges facing Catholics and Jews in a world in rapid and unpredictable transformation. Also acknowledged was a common religious duty to help relieve the global consequences of poverty, injustice, discrimination and the denial of universal human rights. Participants were especially sensitive to the call of the younger generation for true freedom and full participation in their societies.

The second conference:

Message from conference in Hofgeismar, Germany:

27 February 2012

“As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24)

The world is filled with violence. Too often, the violent narratives contained in the Bible are used to perpetuate rather than limit worldly violence. We are called, therefore, to confront the violence in the biblical texts and work through them toward a world of peace. As Christians, we respond to pain with empathy, looking to love and respect even those who would be our enemies.

Christians and Jews from around the world gathered in Hofgeismar, Germany, on February 23-27, 2012, in a conference organized by the Palestine-Israel Ecumenical Forum (PIEF) of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in cooperation with the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and the Evangelical Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck. Framed by daily experiences of liturgy and prayer that opened the spiritual dimensions of the texts, the conference aimed to intensify ecumenical reflection on theological aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Our call is clear: no more violence in the name of God!

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5)

Adopted by conference participants in Hofgeismar: February 27, 2012

Reflection:

1. It is good for us to meet to discuss areas of common interest and concern, in an atmosphere of mutual respect and willingness to hold different views whilst listening carefully to the other.
2. The issues for which such conferences are convened are vitally important and affect the lives of Messianic Jews and the growth of the Messianic movement.
3. It appears that no Messianic Jews were present – otherwise the dynamics of both meetings may have been quite different.
4. For both conferences a Messianic Jewish voice and contribution would be helpful and significant. Roman Catholics and Palestinian Christians need to dialogue with their Messianic Jewish brothers and sisters, or else a vital voice is missing from the discussions.
5. Messianic Jews have a responsibility to share their contributions with the whole church as the body of Messiah, not just those who agree with them. They also have much to learn through meeting with such groups.
6. Messianic Jews should also be calling for such meetings, especially to encourage the next generation of younger leaders to have a broad vision of their role and ministry in, personal relationships, theological education and prophetic engagement with others.

These are my own personal reflections – so my prayer echoes the Hofgeismar quotation:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5)

Lord, help us to be peacemakers in a world full of conflicts, and where peace with you is only possible through your Son, our Messiah Yeshua. Help Messianic Jews to play a useful and strategic role within the whole body of believers, and towards your people Israel. Help us to serve you and serve others in this way. In Yeshua’s name we pray. Amen.

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2011/03/03/0131/00329.html

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/public-witness-addressing-power-affirming-peace/middle-east-peace/message-from-conference-in-hofgeismar-germany