A few months ago, comedian Jackie Mason made his way to Staten
Island's beautiful St. George Theatre for his one-man show. The
packed-in audience, made up for the most part of Italians, roared
at the politically incorrect material, but Mr. Mason surprised me
by deciding not to repeat his hilarious comparison of Italians
and Jews. I can't remember his exact words, but the comedian once
joked that Italians in business suits were formidable and tough,
but if put in a uniform, they became subjects of derision. Jews
in suits, on the other hand, were viewed as wimpy accountants,
but when they put on uniforms, look out.
This reputation was forged by Israel's awesome military display
in 1967 during the Six-Day War, when the tiny country faced down
the entire Arab world and emerged victorious. Not everyone was as
impressed as I was at Israel's ability to defend itself, and
these critics are now blasting away at Israel's response to the
continual assault by Hezbollah on the Jews. In a perfect world
where common sense ruled, Israel's actions would be perfectly
reasonable, but we live in a world where despots, tyrants, and
megalomaniacs can be members of the United Nations Human Rights
Council, and politically correct diplomacy rules.
There are many Christians, like myself, who are relieved that the
power of Israel has finally been unleashed. Patience with the
ongoing attacks by terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah
has only encouraged more of the same. On the other hand, cowards
are cringing at what this besieged nation is doing. Their mantra
has always been: "Don't make waves. You'll anger the
international community."
This is the same community that ignores the genocide of the
Rwandans and the Sudanese and the misery in Somalia and clearly
views America with envy and contempt, so why on earth should we
care a whit about its opinion?
Israel seems to be receiving more support from Christians than
Americans Jews in the liberal left wing. Over the past few
decades, thanks to the leadership of Pope John Paul II, Catholics
are forming closer ties with the Jewish Orthodox community
because we share so many of the same values. On September 6, the
Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust,
located in Battery Park, will unveil a new exhibit: "A
Blessing to One Another: Pope John Paul II and the Jewish
People." The exhibit will celebrate his legacy of promoting
tolerance, understanding, and dialogue among the world's
religions.
The pope's example of solidarity and his formal apology in 2000
for the anti-Semitism of some church leaders has filtered down to
many Catholic clergy, who have visited synagogues to extend mea
culpas to the Jewish community. Still, while historic, the
apology met with skepticism from all sides. Nevertheless, it
marked a strengthening of a long-awaited interfaith relationship
that had been ushered in by the 1965 Vatican document
"Nostra Aetate," which simply stated that Jews were not
responsible for the death of Jesus Christ.
Catholicism and Judaism are forever entwined, and never is that
more evident than in the sacrifice of the Mass. The first reading
at the service is usually taken from the Old Testament, followed
by one of King David's psalms. The second reading is from the New
Testament, followed by the gospel, which the priest reads before
his homily.
Two weeks ago, in my duty as a lector, I read a passage from the
"Book of Wisdom." The words were spellbinding, for here
was the answer to that age-old question: "Why does God allow
tragedies to happen?" Here are a few excerpts from
"Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24":
"God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the
destruction of the living. For he fashioned all things that they
might have being ... for God formed man to be imperishable; the
image of his own nature he made him. ... But by the envy of the
devil, death entered the world and they who belong to his company
experience it."
Thus it was Satan who brought death into the world. Now, haven't
we heard Islamic jihadists exclaim their love of death and how
they love to kill for their God? Consider the savage butchery,
the beheadings, the mutilation of the Israelis, Iraqis, and our
military; the thousands of ordinary citizens killed on September
11. There is little doubt where their inspiration comes from. We
are not in a war for oil, land, or Palestinian statehood. It is a
battle between good and evil.
It's now time that we all heed the words of Pope John Paul II:
"We wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the
people of the Covenant."
Mazel Tov, O Israel.