|
The Chosen People were denounced. Of course, they were not denounced in their inmost nature, or forever, but for their behavior and wayward attitude toward Christ. From the Old Testament, however, it is clear that they were not always worthy of reproach. In the early days of their Faith, the Jews did follow the spirit of their sacred teachings, and for this they received manifold blessings from God. But by the time their Messiah had come, all was changed. Although seekers after the Christ, they themselves persecuted Him (70:4) The persecution of Christ by the Jewish people, and its effect on His Church, can also be understood by our analogy. The Jewish people, being out of touch with reality, imagined that persecution could crush the Faith of Jesus of Nazareth. But just as a mere dream has no power over reality, mere persecution has no power over the Faith of God. A conscious person is aware of this. The Christians were aware of this. This explains why the smallness of their numbers in the face of a hostile world did not dampen their vision or cause them to turn away from the task their Lord had given them. They knew that His Faith would grow and fulfill its mission despite whatever opposition the world could produce
(70:5)
|