In the speech he delivered at the Rome Synagogue during his visit on January 17, 2010, Benedict XVI made two important statements: that the Jews adore the same God as he does, and that any anti-Judaism must be condemned. These are very clear affirmations that Judaism is "the true religion' or, at least, "a true religion."

A question necessarily rises? To what God is Benedict referring?

In the Gospel of St. John, the Jews who did not accept Our Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah told Our Lord that their father was God. Jesus Christ replied to them:

"If God were your father, verily you would love me. For I proceeded and came from God: for I came not by myself, but He sent me. Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot hear my word. You are of your father, the Devil, and the desires of your father you will do. ... When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of thereof. But if I say the truth, you believe me not. ...

"He that is of God, heareth the words of God. Therefore, you hear them not, because you are not of God." (John 8: 42-47)

Commenting on this last verse, Cornelius a Lapide, S.J., asserts:

Christ here points to the true reason why the Jews did not believe Him: Because they do not have God as their father but rather the Devil, whom they follow and listen to. It is as if Christ had said: 'This is the real and primary reason why you do not believe me: you are not born of God, but of the Devil, i.e., you do not follow the spirit and instinct of God, but you listen to and follow the Devil. Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom 8:14).

'For the Devil has so blinded your hearts with covetousness, hatred and envy of me that you do not listen to the words of God which I, as the Messiah of God, announce to you; you do not want to hear and understand them. Hence, since you are not the children of the God of truth, but of the lying Devil, you listen to his deceitful suggestions and obey them. For you do not want to hear the true words of God which are taught by me.' (Commentaria in Scripturam Sacram, Paris: Ludovicum Vives, 1857, vol 16, p. 451)

Here Our Lord declared that the Jews, as a religion, are children of the Devil. Since we know that the present day Jews & Judaism are the continuation of those whom Our Lord addressed in the above passage, faithful Catholics cannot help but wonder: What God is Benedict XVI telling us to worship, Jesus Christ or the Devil?

Above, Benedict XVI being greeted by the rabbis as he approaches the synagogue podium. Below first row, exchanging friendly confidences with Riccardo Segni, chief rabbi of Rome; second row, he waves to the press before crossing the threshold of the synagogue; third row, delivering the speech where he said that Jews adore the same god as Catholics; fourth row listening to complaints about the past Catholic position against Judaism; fifth row, applauding the Jews and being applauded by them at the end of the visit; sixth row, an overview of the audience.

Photos from  AP   &   ADNKronos

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