Judaism in Catholicism

[blybly]

During my training to start catechesis, couple times I was still attending such feelings as uncertainty and doubt, do not like this feelings but the facts speak for themselves - I was skeptical of denominations and even religions. Because I have strong Jewish roots, and I very much respect the history of jewish people (not purely clear history, but its not about this) in my head there is not supposed to Catholicism to engage and improve myself to a couple of years to convert to Judaism, the thoughts I’m having in my head a couple of times, the last once it was yesterday, but it seems like before I went to sleep again, I prayed to God that I was determined to be, but a few things remain unexplained - is it possible to be Catholic and Jewish traditions and sympathy to the people, part of the way I am?

Yes, I understand that Catholics and Jews very friendly live in this world, and have been shifts in the Judaism to Catholicism, and perhaps vice versa, but what about that one soul lived Catholicism in all its beauty and mighty of God, and enormous sympathy jews and even Judaism(without impending Catholicism), will not prevent a one another?

 

[Sheadad]

During my training to start catechesis, couple times I was still attending such feelings as uncertainty and doubt, do not like this feelings but the facts speak for themselves - I was skeptical of denominations and even religions. Because I have strong Jewish roots, and I very much respect the history of jewish people (not purely clear history, but its not about this) in my head there is not supposed to Catholicism to engage and improve myself to a couple of years to convert to Judaism, the thoughts I’m having in my head a couple of times, the last once it was yesterday, but it seems like before I went to sleep again, I prayed to God that I was determined to be, but a few things remain unexplained - is it possible to be Catholic and Jewish traditions and sympathy to the people, part of the way I am?

Yes, I understand that Catholics and Jews very friendly live in this world, and have been shifts in the Judaism to Catholicism, and perhaps vice versa, but what about that one soul lived Catholicism in all its beauty and mighty of God, and enormous sympathy jews and even Judaism(without impending Catholicism), will not prevent a one another?

It’s a bit hard to follow your post… but I think I know what you mean. I’ve been Catholic all my life but just in the last 5 years or so have really come to appreciate the rich heritage of the Jewish faith and particularly how it finds it’s fulfillment in the Catholic Church.

I believe we are naturally called to be sympathetic to the Jewish peoples of today and days gone by. You just recognize this as part of who you are… rather than a later intellectual process.

 

[blybly]

It’s a bit hard to follow your post… but I think I know what you mean. I’ve been Catholic all my life but just in the last 5 years or so have really come to appreciate the rich heritage of the Jewish faith and particularly how it finds it’s fulfillment in the Catholic Church.

I believe we are naturally called to be sympathetic to the Jewish peoples of today and days gone by. You just recognize this as part of who you are… rather than a later intellectual process.

yes brother, thats what i mean exactly

 

[bbentrup]

Jesus is a Jew as is the Blessed Mother and all the apostles. Jesus freed us from the letter and spirit of the law which is to condemn as Paul teaches, but this is a far cry from recognizing some pious and noble traditions from our Jewish faith. A Catholic Jew could do the same acts that once he did out of obedience to the law but that now he does in a spirit of love and sacrifice instead. Jesus did not condemn Judaism but merely perfect it. Our older Jewish brothers and sisters are still entrusted with God’s promise of fidelity - while Jesus instituted a new covenant for the whole world, he did not revoke the old.

Here is one beautiful passage in the Catholic Catechism that reminds us our debt to our Jewish forebears:
Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Jewish liturgy and Christian liturgy. A better knowledge of the Jewish people’s faith and religious life as professed and lived even now can help our better understanding of certain aspects of Christian liturgy. For both Jews and Christians Sacred Scripture is an essential part of their respective liturgies: in the proclamation of the Word of God, the response to this word, prayer of praise and intercession for the living and the dead, invocation of God’s mercy. In its characteristic structure the Liturgy of the Word originates in Jewish prayer. The Liturgy of the Hours and other liturgical texts and formularies, as well as those of our most venerable prayers, including the Lord’s Prayer, have parallels in Jewish prayer. The Eucharistic Prayers also draw their inspiration from the Jewish tradition. The relationship between Jewish liturgy and Christian liturgy, but also their differences in content, are particularly evident in the great feasts of the liturgical year, such as Passover. Christians and Jews both celebrate the Passover. For Jews, it is the Passover of history, tending toward the future; for Christians, it is the Passover fulfilled in the death and Resurrection of Christ, though always in expectation of its definitive consummation.

This link is probably even better, but too long to quote in full. It is by the head of the Vatican’s Commission for the Religious Relations with the Jews and underscores the need for correct catechesis.
Here is another link to a book by a Jewish convert who loves and respects his own traditions but also loves his new Church. He even considers the scope of the Jews in future salvation history. He reminds us that Christianity is a success that was brought about in part through the prayers of generations of steadfast Jewish believers.

Another famous Jewish convert is Eugenio Zolli, who was the chief rabbi in Rome during WWII. He converted after inspired by the witness of Pope Pius XII. His autobiography can be found here.

I hope some of these links and thoughts help as you discern God’s call in your heart!

 

[blybly]

yes, a couple of days ago I learned about Zolli, and the fact that his conversion to Catholicism was an example for me to combine the two inseparable cultures and religions, and thank you for links