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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Israel and the Catholic Church Joe Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Question:

Dear Brother - The ongoing way between Israel and the Palestinians has raised several questions in my mind.

1. If the Catholic Church is the new Israel, how is one supposed to view the restoration of Israel as a nation in 1948? Should this be seen as God's divine plan coming to fruition?

2. Does the restoration of the nation of Israel imply that the Catholic Church is not the new Israel (because this is what the Jews believe)?

3. From a historical perspective, do the Palestinians have a rightful claim over Israel's land? If they do, how should one view the gift of this land to Israel by God?

4. In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, what position should the Catholic adhere to (apart from praying for the cessation of war)?

Joe



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear Joe:

1. The Catholic Church is the new Israel. That can never change because that is part of God's Salvation Plan. The restoration of nation of Israel is a prophecy that begins the trek for the Jewish people accept Jesus this time as Messiah. This is part of God's Salvation Plan to bring the people of Israel back to Him. But, the Catholic Church remains the new Israel through which all salvation is possible. No one is saved but through the Catholic Church precisely because the Catholic Church is the new Israel by which God completes His covenants going all the way back to Abraham.

When Jesus came and died on the Cross that was suppose to have been the end of the Jewish faith as they were suppose to have accept the Messiah and therefore become Christians living in the fullness of God's revelation in the New Covenant. That didn't happen. In the end times events God is leading these stray Jews back to Him and His Son.

The followers of Christ are the Jews. In the Bible we read of disagreements as to whether or not Gentiles could be Christians. The debated ended and the Church accepted the Gentiles as Christians. Thus, Christian Jews and Gentiles comprise the "chosen people" who are to bring the fuller revelation of God to the nations. 

2. See above. His Church is not replaced by anything. These end time events are to bring the wayward Jews back into the Church where they should have been a part all along.

3. God holds the deeds to all lands and the deed-owner (God) gave that land to Israel. Palestinians have no right to it because the land-owner says so.

4. The Palestinians need to have their own nation. We need to pray for a peaceful solution to that, but Israel should not give up what is left of the land God (the land-owner) gave to them. You will have to ask the Holy See on how they will approach this, but one thing is for sure, the Holy See wants a peaceful and just solution.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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