This coming Wednesday, Feb. 24, our Catholic-Jewish Commission’s Institute for Understanding will kick off its spring lecture series. After much discussion among our planning committee we decided to address some of the “big spiritual questions” that intrigue us in our own traditions, as we are curious about the other tradition’s view as well. As you know, we often look to our faith traditions to give us an insight into the origin, meaning and destiny of human life. We seek and draw insight from our sacred texts, teachings and traditions to help answer these enigmatic human questions. Jews and Catholics have age-old perspectives on these “big spiritual questions” that have developed over the centuries and bring understanding and comfort to many.
Some of the “big questions” we will be addressing this season are suffering, life after death and saints and angels. The sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings, Feb. 24, March 3 and 10. They will be held at the Weinberg Jewish Community Campus, 1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill at 7:30 in the evening. Participants may earn a certificate in Christian-Jewish Relations from LaSalle University. Minimum of 16 class attendance is required. Per-semester or per-session registration is available. Per-semester tuition for participants pursuing the Certificate in Jewish Christian Relations is $50, for those not pursuing certification $25. For those who would rather come per-session it will be $25 for those seeking certification and $10 for those not seeking certification. You can register online at www.jcrcsnj.org or register at the door. Please make your checks out to “Catholic-Jewish Commission.” Please call 856-751-9500, ext. 117 with any questions.
On Feb. 24 Msgr. Louis Marucci and Rabbi Lewis Eron will be discussing the topic of “Suffering” from a Catholic and Jewish perspective. Suffering is inescapable for the human person; unfortunately, it is part of the human experience of life. Most religious traditions ascribe some purpose to the experience of suffering. Generally people of religion find that the experience of suffering somehow leads to improvement of life awareness and purpose. As the old saying goes “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.” As Pope Benedict XIV explains, “The cross of Christ will be the demon’s ruin and this is why Jesus does not cease to teach his disciples that in order to enter into his glory he must suffer much, be rejected, condemned and crucified. Suffering is an integral part of his mission.” Come and explore the meaning of suffering in the Catholic and Jewish faith on Feb. 24.
A local Rabbi and I will be discussing the ever interesting topic of “Life after Death” on March 3. We will examine some of the views Catholics and Jews hold about the afterlife, what happens after death and what we believe about where we go. The Catholic understandings of heaven, hell, purgatory, limbo and the Beatific Vision, among other things will be presented and discussed. The rabbi will present the wide perspective within Judaism concerning life after death, from those who have a distinct belief and understanding within Judaism of an afterlife to those who have a vague understanding to no formal view on the subject. It will be so interesting to find out why some are so interested in the afterlife and others are not and why. Come out and join us on March 3.
Our last session on March 10 will discuss the Jewish and Catholic views of and understandings of “Saints and Angels.” Sister Jane Kopas and a local rabbi will explore with us the common and differing understandings and views that Jews and Catholics hold regarding those we call saints and angels. While both our traditions revere the memory of certain women and men, outstanding in holiness in various ways, it will be interesting to discuss how and why we remember them. We hold in common the ancient belief and fascination surrounding angels. Sister Jane and the rabbi will explain the place they hold in our traditions and sacred texts. Please come out and join us on March 10 for this remarkable discussion.
As you can see we have yet another wonderful session of our Institute for Understanding in store for us all. On March 15 we will have our Annual Seder at St. Pius X Retreat House in Blackwood. On March 24 we will be celebrating our Interfaith Seder at one of our local synagogues, don’t forget to mark that on your calendar. I will give greater details on these two opportunities to celebrate the Jewish Seder in my next column.
Shalom.
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