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Jesus Christ and the ‘gentiles’ of his time

PROFESSIONS OF FAITH

Jesus lived his earthly life exactly how his Heavenly Father wanted him to live. “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work” said Jesus. (Jn 4:34)

Therefore, in all the deeds and words of Jesus, we are able to feel his Heavenly Father and believe in him. Pope Francis, once, said, “Jesus is the face of God’s mercy.”

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mt 16:15). Instead, Jesus reveals to us, “Who he is” through his references to the widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon and Naaman the leper from Syria. (Lk 4:21-30)

I wish, this gospel passage on the “gentiles,” inspires us to imitate Jesus in our attitude toward non-Catholics, non-Christians and non-believers etc.

The attitude of Jesus toward the “gentiles” of his time should become our attitude toward the “gentiles” of our time.

Who are the “gentiles?” The word “gentiles” means all nations except the Jews. The word “gentiles” was used as a term of contempt.

What was the problem with the Jews found in this, Lk 4:21-30, passage? They turned against Jesus so violently to put him to death instantly taking law into their hands.

It was because Jesus gave importance to the “gentiles” over the Jews.

It was because Jesus appreciated the faith of the “gentiles” more than the Jews.

It was because Jesus wanted to integrate the life of the “gentiles” with the Jews.

It was because Jesus wanted to make the outsiders as the “insiders.”

It was because Jesus prioritized some of the “gentiles” in his public ministry.

I would like to highlight some events and sayings related to the life of Jesus which caused and fanned hatred in the hearts of his enemies, to turn against Jesus and to crucify him to death after three years.

Jesus did not say, “You, Samaritans, don’t come to me.” Or, “You, sinners, I can’t help you.” Or, “You, Pharisees, I don’t belong to your group.” Etc. But, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28) Therefore, Jesus welcomed and cured everyone who had come to him. (Mk 1:32-34)

After the shepherds of Bethlehem, it was the magi from the East, the “gentiles,” whom Jesus manifested himself through the guidance of the star, a sign in heaven. (Mt 2:1)

In the Jerusalem Temple, Simeon the prophet held the baby Jesus in his arms and declared, “a light for revelation to the ‘gentiles’ and for glory to your people Israel.” (Lk 2:30-32)

Matthew, the Evangelist has kept the record of the ministry of Jesus as, “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (4:15)

Jesus praised the Centurion’s faith – a “gentile,” “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” (Mt 8:10)

Jesus praised the Canaanite woman’s faith – a “gentile,” “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” (Mt 15:28)

Jesus praised Nineveh, a “gentile” city, “The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it.” (Mt 12:41)

Jesus praised the queen of Sheba, “The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it.” (Mt 12:42)

Jesus predicted the integration of the outsiders with the Jews, the insiders. “I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the heirs of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt 8:11,12)

Jesus compared Chorazim and Bethsaida with Tyre and Sidon, “Woe to you, Chorazim! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” (Mt 11:21)

Jesus rebuked his two apostles, James and John for what they had said about the Samaritans, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Lk 9:51)

Jesus stayed in a Samaritan town for two days. (Jn 4:1-42) Yes! Jesus loved the Samaritans – the gentiles, as he had loved his fellow Jews.

Jesus praised one leper over the other nine who were all healed by him. That one leper was a Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus for his healing. (Lk 17:11)

In his great parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus gave the Samaritan as the best example for charity – the love of neighbor (Lk 10:25)

Before his crucifixion, Jesus stood before Herod and Pilate for his trial.

Jesus did not utter a single word toward Herod who was a Jew. (Lk23:9)

But, Jesus did speak to Pilate, the Roman Governor, a gentile. (Lk 23:3)

All of us are gentiles to the Jews. But, all of us have become the chosen people of God through our faith in Jesus and we have been saved by Jesus.

Truly, the outsiders have become the insiders and the insiders are now the outsiders in the history of God’s salvation.

Let us, the chosen people of God, inculcate the attitude of Jesus toward the ‘gentiles’ of his time, our own attitude toward the “gentiles” of our time.

Immediately after assuming his office, Pope Francis invited the leaders of Palestine and Israel for a prayer in the Vatican. And he was the first Christian leader to visit officially the United Aram Emirates, a Muslim country of the Middle East Region.

St. Paul acquired for himself the attitude of Jesus. Therefore, he reached out to the gentiles with the good news of salvation. (Acts 13:46; 18:6) Let us reach out the love of Christ not only to our family and friends but also to all those who dislike us and hate us and those whom we may consider and treat as our “gentiles.”

Let us ask ourselves, “Who are our ‘gentiles'” and “Whom do we consider and treat as ‘gentiles'”?

Well, let us remove the word “gentile” from our book of life.

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Fr. Jayaseelan Amalanathan is from Chennai, South India, now working as the Parochial Vicar for the parishes of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Lewistown and St. Jude church, Mifflintown. Continuing the ministry of Jesus Christ for 29 years, he spent his ministry in India toward the uplift of the most deprived and marginalized people and was awarded in the year 2015, the title of ‘Doctor of Divinity’ (Honoris Causa) by the Academy of Ecumenical Indian Theology and Church Administration.

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