Scapegoats

I offer this reminder to all who participated during Holy Week, especially through the Passion readings.  The Jews did not kill Jesus!  In our first reading from Acts (2:14, 22-33) Peter spoke with a “raised voice and proclaimed” that all Jews should listen to his words.  He claimed, “You who are children of Israel” killed the “God-commended” Jesus, the Nazorean, by using “lawless men to crucify him.” 

So much harm has been to the Jews throughout the world and the ages by Christians mistakenly believing (or wanting to believe) the Jews killed Christ.   So many people haven’t even appreciated the fact that Jesus was a Jew, not a “Christian.” 

Historically, our Church hasn’t done much to change that “killer” perception, although Vatican II was a milestone for attempting to set the record straight.   Nevertheless, perceptions die hard, and our Passion readings we recite every Holy Week perpetuate the horrible appellation: “Christ-killers,” even though that language is not used.

On this Easter Monday like Mary Magdalene and the other Mary described in our Gospel reading (Matthew 28:8-15), we’ve gone away quickly from Jesus’ tomb.  Let’s announce the following news to all his disciples: “The Jews should not be afraid.” 

After all, the crucifixion and killing of Jesus occurred at the urging of the Romans feeling threatened by Jesus.  The Jews as children of Israel were the scapegoats.    

Deacon David Pierce