Who Killed God?

In the face of acceleratingly hostile protests on college and university campuses across the country, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed H.R. 6090, a resolution defining antisemitism for use by the Department of Education’s Civil Rights Office “when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination … in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.” The text of the bill specifically refers to “[c]ontemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere” provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

While many of the examples enumerated are clearly antisemitic and already either punishable or otherwise criminal acts — for example, “[c]alling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion” — one of the IHRA’s examples has excited particular controversy: “Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.” (Emphasis mine.) (READ MORE from S.A. McCarthy: Britain Allows Child to Travel to Vatican Hospital for Treatment)

First of all, it’s important to note that this example explicates linking the death of Christ to the State of Israel established nearly 1,950 years after Christ’s death, or to the people of that state. Thus, provided that the IHRA’s definition is not adjusted and the text of the already-controversial legislation is not expanded, H.R. 6090 would not result in the banning of Scripture or the suppression of Christian history.

Nonetheless, the statement that Jews of the first century were responsible for orchestrating Christ’s crucifixion is still often smeared as antisemitic. But, far from being a means of expressing hate, this historically-documented truth, preserved in the Christian Scriptures, is actually part of a story inviting all peoples to repent of their sins and to put their faith in Christ.

All four Gospels contain accounts of Christ’s passion and death, and all four Gospel authors note that the Jewish high priests, scribes, and elders plotted to kill the Messiah. Of course, the Apostles themselves were Jews, as were many of Christ’s followers, as was Christ Himself! It was the Jewish religious and political leaders who handed Christ over to His death. As the Second Vatican Council noted in Nostra Aetate, “True, the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ; still, what happened in His passion cannot be charged against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today.” Nostra Aetate continues, however, “Although the Church is the new people of God, the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God, as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures.”

Indeed, the Jews were not rejected by God, but rather they rejected Him. This is the most serious charge that can be leveled against those who practice Judaism, but it is a charge that can be leveled against us all, regardless of creed. As the Second Vatican Council continued to note in Nostra Aetate, “Christ underwent His passion and death freely, because of the sins of men and out of infinite love, in order that all may reach salvation. It is, therefore, the burden of the Church’s preaching to proclaim the cross of Christ as the sign of God’s all-embracing love and as the fountain from which every grace flows.”

In His infinite goodness, God was able to bring good even from the malicious plotting of the Jewish high priests, scribes, and elders. In fact, He brought from it the greatest of all goods: forgiveness of our sins and the chance for life eternal. The Jews did kill Christ, they plotted against Him and orchestrated His execution; so also did the Romans kill Christ, though Pilate did not wish to; and so also have we all killed Christ, through our sins. (READ MORE: Speak Boldly, Not Softly: Pope Francis and the Absence of Moral Clarity)

The role that the Jews played in Christ’s crucifixion is simply a fact, but it would be illogical and even immoral to claim that they played such a role because of their race, nor even perhaps because of their religion. Again, bear in mind that the Apostles were all Jews. They were awaiting the coming of the Messiah and, when He came, recognized him, as sheep recognize their shepherd (John 10:27). They heard the truth that Christ proclaimed, they met the Truth that Christ is, and they embraced that Truth, they even died for that Truth. Even St. Paul, who presided over the martyrdom of St. Stephen, professed Christ as God and suffered death for His sake.

The cross, and all that led to it, is not a sign of God condemning the Jews; it is rather a sign of His love for us all, and what He demands of us if we are to be united with Him in Heaven. Although what is asked of us is, quite simply, everything, what awaits us is joy and glory unimaginable. As St. Josemaría Escrivá reminded us, “The way of Love has a name: It is Sacrifice.” The cross is death, which we will all face; the glory of the Resurrected Christ awaits those who rush to embrace their crosses.

What awaits those who run from their crosses, those who turn away from Christ’s death and resurrection? An icon of the Heavenly Banquet depicts Judas Iscariot leaving the table; while the Saints present are adorned with glowing halos, Judas has none; his halo, darkened only by his silhouette, lies behind him, a devastating reminder of the holiness he could have attained. This holiness, purchased by Christ’s blood on the cross, awaits the Jews also — those who are bold enough to follow in the footsteps of a handful of Jewish fishermen and declare, as Simon Peter did, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

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