"And we know that whatever was written in the past, was written for our instruction, for both perseverance and comfort, given us by the Scripture, sustain our hope. May GOD, the source of all perseverance and comfort, give to all of you, to live in peace in CHRIST JESUS, that you may be able to praise, in one voice GOD, FATHER of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD.
Welcome, then, one another, as CHRIST welcomed you for the glory of GOD. Look: CHRIST put HIMSELF at the service of the Jewish world, to fulfill the promises made by GOD to their ancestors; here, you see GOD's faithfulness. The pagans, instead, give thanks to GOD for HIS mercy, as Scripture says: Because of that, I will sing and praise YOUR name among the pagans." - Romans 15:4-9
(In this twofold attitude of GOD toward the Jews and the "nations," that is to say non-Jews. Paul sees a manifestation of the two great qualities that prophetic tradition attributes to GOD: grace and fidelity. What Paul is saying here certainly goes beyond the case of Jews and non-Jews. Two applications of this can be given.
First, for the Christian community. As JESUS stated to the Pharisees, we know that no elitist group by itself constitutes JESUS' Church. It can only be in the truth if it constantly has two groups, on one hand, those who have matured in fidelity, inheriting the faith and sacrifices of their parents and persevering in the community and on the other hand, those who come from the outside and who have undergone a strong personal conversion. Naturally, this creates conflicts, and it requires sacrifices from everyone, but this is where GOD likes to work.
In addition, this text helps us to understand that GOD only reveals HIMSELF to a minority while at the same time, GOD was saving all human beings.)
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