Rorate Caeli

The Word of God and Unbelief of Jews

“But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John, for the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish, these very works which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. . . . . You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. . . . . If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.” Gospel of John, Chapter 5.

“And he expounded the matter to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, while others disbelieved. So, as they disagreed among themselves, they departed, after Paul had made one statement: ‘The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: “Go to this people, and say, You shall indeed hear but never understand, and you shall indeed see but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes have closed . . .”’ Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 28.

“It [the Passion] is a grave and sad page which evokes the clash between Jesus and the Jewish people. This people predestined for receiving the Messiah, which was awaiting him for thousands of years and was entirely absorbed by this hope and certitude; at the crucial moment, that is when Christ comes, speaks and manifests himself, not only does not recognize him, but combats him, slanders him and finally will kill him.” Pope Paul VI, Homily, Passion Sunday, April 4, 1965, in Osservatore Romano, April 7, 1965, and in Documentation catholique 1448, May 16, 1965, columns 887-888.

“Let us pray for the unfaithful Jews, that our God and Lord will remove the veil from their hearts, that they themselves may acknowledge Jesus Christ, our Lord. Almighty and everlasting God, who does not reject even the unfaithfulness of the Jews from your mercy, hear our prayers which we bring on account of the blindness of that people, so that, having acknowledged the light of your truth which is Christ, they may be rescued from their darkness.” Translated from the Roman Missal for the liturgy of Good Friday as approved by Pope Pius XII and the immemorial custom of the Church.