I have to say I have always been confused on this. If Saint Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, who was the Apostles to the Jews, but the twelve. And if G-d delayed them in converting all the Jews so that the fullness of the Gentiles could come in, what happened to the children of those Jews and who is now preaching to the remnant? I think better knowledge of these things could help me and many others to accept the catholic faith more fully. I really like Paul because he tried to live a righteous good life, but was still a sinner and stumbled upon the Christians. Jesus has made me also stumble, but better to stumble than to be crushed, I guess.:doh2:
Hi Liberalcatholic:
These are all important questions. Paul’s principal, but not exclusive, mission, was the preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter’s principle, but not exclusive, mission was preaching the gospel to the Jews. In fact, all the Apostles were charged generally with spreading the gospel to all. Jesus himself said at first, his mission was to preach to the Jews only - then later the gospel was extended to the Gentiles. Note, Isaiah (the Hebrew scriptures) foretold that the Messiah would come first to the Jews, but then be rejected by the Jews (for the most part) and become a light to the Gentile nations.
As to the remnant - that refers, I believe, to those Jews who in fact have accepted Christ as the Messiah. Through the Old Testament, there was always a faithful remnant (small portion) of Jews who remained faithful to God and were not in rebellion.
Regarding God’s salvation plan - Romans 11 tells us that, while it is a mystery (and indeed it is), in the end times, after the full alotment of gentiles comes in “all Israel” will be saved. Zechariah also tells us that in the end times, the Jewish people with mourn for the one whom they have pierced and call on the name of the Lord (praise God).
As to salvation of Jews who do not believe in Christ (very much in my heart as I am a Jew who came to believe in Christ), the Catholic Church position is that this may well be possible.
While I can’t prove this scripturally, to me the image of the thief on the cross who in the last moments of his life accepted Christ and was saved is an image of the potential personal salvation of many who have not accepted Christ yet. God stands outside of time so I believe that it is possible that in the moments before our deaths, God reveals himself to each of us (including those Jews blinded during life as part of God’s plan) - he calls to them and they “know his voice” and those who chose to respond (like the thief on the cross) are his and will be with God in heaven.
This is why I pray, even now, for deceased Jewish relatives because while in our perception of time, they have died and the book is closed, to God who stands outside of time, he can still intercede now and call to them in the moments before their death - and I pray that Mary embraces them as a mother and leads them to the warm and loving embrace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Blessings,
Brian
