Latin Mass Indult & Conversion of the Jews

New Oxford Review (traditionalist Roman Catholic publication, formerly Anglo-Catholic) has linked to this news report stating the Vatican will issue a decree this Saturday about the freedom of use of the Tridentine Mass (1962 Missal). One thing of note is that "Jewish groups" (who and how many are note stated) are concerned about a prayer in the old Mass which petitions God for the conversion of the Jews.

First of all, I don't know why Jewish groups would be concerned that Catholics pray for their conversion -- there's no theology of forceful conversion underneath it all. Christianity is built around the idea that proclamation makes converts, not the sword or temporal threatenings. Christianity appeals to the will and reason.

Secondly, Jews aren't singled out for conversion. Pagans and heretics are also prayed for. The recognition here is that God loves all those who don't have a complete picture of Him. That the Church believes her doctrine is the THE truth is not a reason to get concerned. Naturally she'd ask God to turn the hearts of those not in full fellowship.

Finally, the offensiveness of this can't be removed because NOBODY (Jew or Gentile) wants to be told he needs to repent and believe on Christ. In a post-holocaust world there are sensitivities due to an abuse of religion, and the tyranny thereof, we all need to make it crystal clear that our desire is to have good relations with the Jews, recognize the truth and venerability of their heritage, and build bridges where possible. That doesn't require the Church change her theology, but explain the heart of her liturgical prayers. Such prayers are not mean-spirited or violent in nature.

Some would rather the church sit down, shut up, and pretend her mission is to lovingly affirm without lovingly confronting the world of her sin, unbelief, and ultimate demise at Judgment Day apart from Jesus Christ. Reading the Gospels and the book of Acts reveals nothing less than this, why should we do anything different?