A Prayer for Reconciliation with the Jews

 A worship assembly of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, held in Calgary, Alberta, from June 27-July 2, 2023. | Jim Tubman/Anglican Church of Canada

O GOD, who didst choose Israel to be thine inheritance: Have mercy upon us and forgive us for violence and wickedness against our brother Jacob; the arrogance of our hearts and minds hath deceived us, and shame hath covered our face. Take away all pride and prejudice in us, and grant that we, together with the people whom thou didst first make thine own, may attain to the fullness of redemption which thou hast promised; to the honour and glory of thy most holy Name.”

 For Reconciliation with the Jews -- Anglican Church of Canada

At times Christian denominations of different "flavours" struggle to find common ground but there are some aspects of church life which resonate across boundaries. One is that denominational gatherings, whether synods or councils or assemblies tend to be, well, boring. There is alot of sitting around listening to earnest procedural blah, blah while the microphone hogs drone on. Does it surprise you that I haven't attended a-one since retirement, even when they went virtual during the pandemic? I have PTSD from gatherings in hot, windowless meetings. 

This said, there are significant spiritual breakthroughs at these regional and national meetings  with evidence that the Holy Spirit and collective wisdom are at work. Recently the Anglicans in Canada came together for their first General Synod since 2019. During this meeting they followed up on a resolution from that year to remove a prayer about converting Jews and replacing it with one upholding reconciliation with the Jews. 

This follows a trend amongst many denominations to examine prayers and other liturgical materials which are anti-semitic and to chose new scripture readings for the Easter season which might be construed that way. 

The United Church of Canada created an excellent study resource called Bearing Faithful Witness and continues to explore Jewish-Christian dialogue.https://united-church.ca/community-and-faith/welcome-united-church-canada/partners-mission/interfaith-relations#downloads

The Anglican decision at the synod was covered by most major news outlets in Israel and was supported by Jewish organizations in Canada. Whenever this happens it is an important step toward healing. While we were in Israel during April we were aware that Christians are despised by many Jews because of the history of persecution. Sadly, there has been a growing number of verbal and physical attacks by right-wing Jews on those who are easily identified as Christian, a trend that the government and other Jewish groups condemn. 

Oh what a mess we've made as supposed followers of Jesus, the Jew, who lived and died for love.