Truth is for all

The texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, when we remember St. Therese of Lisieux, bring us into a very difficult area for some believers. Friar Jude Winkler comments that the history of salvation featured the growing understanding among the Jews, chosen people of the Covenant, that God is one. Monotheism is the belief in one God. The God of Israel is the God of all nations and as the passage from Zachariah and the praise of the psalmist indicate, all nations will seek to come to Jerusalem for the revelation of God. Rabbi Steven Blane is quoted on the web site of Sim Shalom as part of a collection of Biblical quotes presenting Jewish universalism. When we pursue the question of universalism in Christianity, we might start with the episode today from the Gospel of Luke. James and John are insulted by the rejection they receive in Samaria as they accompany Jesus in His journey to be the Revelation of God in Jerusalem. They react to the insult, Friar Jude notes, from a position of power, pride and privilege as people who have encountered an enemy. They have forgotten that Jesus, Messiah to Jews, is brother to all God’s children. Jesus rebukes His followers for their attitude. St Therese is quoted “You know, God that I have never wanted anything but to love you alone.” This phrase is a restatement of the core statement of the Jewish tradition: “Sh'ma Yisrael. The controversy over the mountain on which we worship and the days which we set aside as holy is trivial in comparison to the response of humanity to Divine Love. Research into Catholicuniversalism shows a traditional theme among Church Doctors, like St Therese, and within the teaching of Popes and Councils towards salvation for all. We need to hear, like James and John, that the grace of walking with Jesus missions us to welcome all who seek intimacy with God.