Praying for Jewish People on Good Friday

The Jewish people are on my mind today, Good Friday.

There is an ancient controversy, recently stirred by the Vatican, as to how Christians are to pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters. Centuries of misunderstanding and suspicion have plagued our cousin faiths. Not long ago, Catholics (and Anglicans and others) prayed each Good Friday that God would soften the hearts of the Jewish people, would lead them upon the right path–that sort of thing.

Pope Benedict XVI has added dry kindling to this fire, when he recently approved a new version of the Good Friday prayers for the Tridentine Rite that includes language similar to what once was. This is a sad situation.

The covenant that God made with the Jewish people is forever.

I suggest that we pray the marvelous prayer that was written and approved for Good Friday just after the conclusion of Vatican II:

Let us pray for the Jewish people, the first to hear the word of God, that they may continue to grow in the love of his name, and in faithfulness to his covenant. (Then, the priest says to the congregation…) Almighty and eternal God, long ago you gave your promise to Abraham and his posterity. Listen to your Church as we pray that the people you first made your own may arrive at the fullness of redemption. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Peace,

Jon