Recently there have been a spate of attacks against the Jewish Community in Sydney, including graffiti and arson, perpetrated on houses, Synagogues and educational facilities. January 27th is set aside as the annual Holocaust Memorial Day so that we may never forget the horror perpetrated upon the Jewish people by the nazi Regime when they deliberately killed 6 million Jewish men, women and children in death camps during World War II. 

Does it occur to people who are engaging in anti-Semitic activity that Jesus was a Jew for his entire earthly life. As were all of the Apostles. Also, Mary the mother of Jesus and Joseph. Mary Magdalene was a Jew. The Jews are our spiritual ancestors.

Jesus lived in a world of stark contrasts and racial unrest, just as we do. Jesus nevertheless reached out to others. He spoke to a Samaritan woman at the well in the middle of the day. She was an outcast from her own community and the Jews also did not associate with Samaritans. But the conversation that Jesus had with that Samaritan woman brought about her conversion and also the intense interest of the people in her town. Jesus did not simply tolerate other races or religious ideas, he accepted those people as worthy of his love and attention.

Prayer:

May we be a light of compassion for all people in our lives and the world around us, and may the peace of God reign in our hearts. Through Christ, our Lord, 

Amen

Mary Magdalene

Pray for us.