The below document is
linked to from Diocese
of Cleveland which I found via New
Republic. Now I can totally understand not trying to lump the Jewish people
into a group of Christ killers or any other kind of anti-Semitic nonsense,
but this document is ridiculous. Some of the points made in the Don’ts are
valid but the Do’s are far to white washed. In the Jewish-Catholic exchange
we should emphasize many of our commonalities but not just hide the differences
under a linguistic rug.
Dos and Don�ts When Teaching or Preaching About Jesus� Ministry
On Messianic Expectations
"indicate that there were many ideas
about messiah(s)", true there were many ideas but they were mostly wrong. The
belief in a earthly king that was going to kick the Roman’s butts and bring
an earthly paradise was way off. We need to point out how the messianic prophesies
were fulfilled in Jesus, not that there were just many ideas.
That line about the Pharisees “describe them as creatively
seeking to bring Temple holiness to everyday life” is just too funny. I don’t
recall Jesus saying ” They creativity bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and
lay them on men’s shoulders to bring Temple holiness to everyday life;.”
And then this line “be aware of the apologetic and polemical
forces that helped shape the Gospel passion narratives.” Yeah just watch out
for the Holy Spirit, when he gets steamed he inspires people to write polemical
gospels.”
And about the crucifixion “discuss blasphemy as being arrogantly
presumptuous”, sorry Jesus was not crucified because he was arrogantly presumptuous
but because he claimed to be divine.
