Scottish Catholic Observer

I was recently in Jerusalem as part of my silver jubilee celebrations. Archbishop Mario Conti kindly allowed me to join a group of 28 people from 17 nations. There it was possible to contemplate various aspects of ‘walking in the Footsteps of Jesus.’ It was enriching through study, through visiting the holy sites and through prayer.

The Ecce Homo centre around which everything happens is run by the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion. These sisters have ‘a particular responsibility to promote understanding and justice for the Jewish community, and to keep alive in the Church the consciousness that, in some mysterious way, Christianity is linked to Judaism from its origin to its final destiny’ (Constitutions 14). The month-long course here maintains a lively emphasis on Jewish-Christian relations. This emphasis was at times beguiling and at times provocative, but always with a deep love for both Christ Jesus and the Jewish people. I would like to focus on one aspect of that relationship: the forgiveness of sins.

Television footage of Jerusalem usually offers viewers the sight of the Golden ‘Dome of the Rock.’ The Dome is placed over the site where Abraham took his son Isaac to be sacrificed. Later this site is where the Temple in Jerusalem was built (firstly by Solomon, secondly by Herod). The Muslims, also revere Abraham, they now have built the Glittering Dome and have custody of it. The ‘Western (or Wailing) Wall’ is the closest Jews may get to the site of the original Temple in Jerusalem. The Wall is therefore highly treasured: among Jews it is said that “The Divine Presence has never departed from the Western Wall.”

The Temple in Jerusalem was a place where ‘sins were forgiven,’ especially on Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement. Indeed after the fall of the Temple (70 CE) there was a crisis in Judaism. No more sacrifices were possible. Over time the Jewish Talmud referred to ways in which a Jew can prepare for forgiveness: prayer, fasting and deeds of mercy. Indeed it was possible to forgive sin against another person. According to the Rabbi Maimonides, for example, you even had to ask forgiveness of someone three times, if the person refused to accept your apology immediately.  Each time you had to ask another Jew to come with you to assist in the face-to-face apology. The importance of reconciliation here described suggests almost the reverse of stoning someone to death. More than one person may be required to ‘undo the damage’ that was done. There is a ‘communitarian aspect’ to reconciliation.

Pope John Paul II is well remembered in Israel due to the significant strides he took in improving Jewish- Christian relations. A couple of times in Jerusalem he was referred to, as ‘of blessed memory.’

In particular many Jews appreciated Pope John Paul II’s ‘apology’ regarding the persecution of Jews down the years, placing a request for forgiveness in the ‘Western (or Wailing) Wall’ on March 26 2000.

Much as many many Jews and others appreciated the sincere gesture, there remains one reservation: no one can reach into the grave to the victims and ask their forgiveness. This for some Jews means that reconciliation is not possible, in particular the victims of the Shoah (or Holocaust) by the Nazis.

On learning about the necessity of ‘face-to-face’ apology, the significance of the date of Pope John Paul II’s visit became more apparent. Perhaps the Holy Father visited the ‘Wall’ with ‘Jesus the Jew’ and brother to the victims.

On the March 25 many Christians mark the day when Mary, a pious Jewish young woman gave her ‘yes’ to God at the Incarnation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of Jesus’ Jewishness. After emphasising the common humanity of Jesus, the Catechism explains: “His religious life was that of a Jew obedient to the law of God.” (CCC 531). He was addressed as ‘a Jew’ (cf. Jn 4: 9), He taught in synagogues and He followed the Jewish Feasts (most especially Passover).

So although the prayer by Pope John Paul II was made to ‘God,’ the prayer request is placed on March 26. Silently and perhaps implicitly Pope John Paul II is following the advice of the Talmud bringing someone else along: the one who was crucified as ‘King of the Jews.’ Finally, At the Wall many Jews move their heads and bodies up-and-down and from side-to-side. This is to fulfil the Scripture: “All my bones shall say ‘O Lord who is like Thee…’ ” (cf. Psalm 35: 10). For many Christians, we bow our heads on the mention of the name of ‘Jesus’ in response St Paul’s injunction: “every knee should bow…” (cf.’ Phil 2: 10). At least at times, then when I bow my head I will remember the heartfelt prayer of Pope John Paul II:

“God of our fathers,

You chose Abraham and his descendants

to bring your Name to the Nations:

we are deeply saddened

by the behaviour of those

who in the course of history

have caused these children of yours to suffer,

and asking your forgiveness

we wish to commit ourselves

to genuine brotherhood.”