I recently heard that many Jews in Israel this year are not sharing the normal greeting of “L’shanah Tovah” for the High Holidays. Instead, “May this be a good year” is being replaced with the words “L’shanah Tovah Yoteir” – “May this be a better year.”
As I write this column, the world is noting the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, events that have led to the death and suffering of thousands of people in the Middle East. It has been one year since Hamas launched a major attack on Israel, resulting in more than 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of more than 250 people. The attack marked a significant escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict, leading to extensive military actions by Israel in Gaza. The war that ensued has caused the death of almost 42,000 Palestinians. The attack and its aftermath have also profoundly affected regional politics and international relations, with ongoing tensions involving Hezbollah in Lebanon and broader geopolitical implications.
On this first anniversary, Pope Francis called for a global day of prayer and fasting for peace. He made this announcement shortly after the launching of hundreds of missiles by Iran toward Israel in response to Israel’s incursions into Lebanon. Oct. 7 is also an important religious commemoration for Catholics known as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope Francis went to Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major on Oct. 6 to pray the rosary “to invoke the gift of peace through the intercession of Most Holy Mary.”
Days before, during the opening Mass for the second assembly of the Synod on Synodality, he said the Church must always be at the service of all humanity. Speaking to more than 400 priests, bishops and lay faithful synod delegates in Saint Peter’s Square, he said, “Brothers and Sisters, let us resume this ecclesial journey with an eye to the world, for the Christian community is always at the service of humanity, to proclaim the joy of the Gospel to all,” he said. “We need it, especially in this dramatic hour of our history, as the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to ravage entire peoples and nations.”
Since the attacks on Israel last year, we have seen an exponential rise in antisemitism worldwide. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has spoken out against antisemitism and taken steps toward combating this pernicious evil. The bishops have included a memo in parish missals to prevent the misuse of the Passion narratives to promote antisemitism, and they are working on educational initiatives to enhance understanding of Jews and Judaism.
The USCCB has also issued statements condemning antisemitic violence and rhetoric, emphasizing the shared heritage between Christianity and Judaism, and urging Catholics to oppose antisemitism. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to combat rising antisemitic sentiments in the United States.
From sundown Oct. 11 to nightfall Oct. 12, Jews throughout the world will be celebrating Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement. It is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is observed with a 25-hour fast and intensive prayer, focusing on repentance and seeking forgiveness for sins committed over the past year.
Fittingly, this has been a week both Catholics and Jews have been praying and fasting together. We join our Jewish friends in prayer for God’s forgiveness and mercy and pray with them for a year ahead filled with peace and harmony. One of the highlights of the Yom Kippur service is the cantor singing the haunting opening prayer “Kol Nidre.” This prayer asks God not to hold the supplicant accountable for vows to Him not kept and petitions God to give the supplicant a clean slate, forgiveness of sins.
The world certainly needs to turn the page on the use of violence and war as a means of addressing human disagreements. We would all do better to enter this time of prayer and fasting as Jews and Catholics begging God to help us facilitate greater harmony in our world. May God grant Israel peace; may He grant the world peace.
Father Joseph D. Wallace is diocesan director of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs and pastor of Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
