The Leaps of Faiths video, “Crossing Boundaries” is about how interfaith couples can talk about theological differences, especially how they see Jesus. Rabbi Evan Moffic of Congregation Solel in Highland Park, IL wrote a book on the Jewishness of Jesus, and he recently joined Father Tom Hurley, Pastor of Old St. Patrick’s Church in Chicago, to continue the dialogue with parents at the Chicago Interfaith Family School…
RABBI MOFFIC: When we talk about religious differences, we have to be able to respond not out of fear, but out of embrace, respect and humility. We should be comfortable enough in our own faith to honor the faith of somebody else. Of course, marriage has that element of compromise and respect in every aspect of life, but in terms of religion it’s a very powerful message for the world.
FATHER HURLEY: Being authentic and respecting another person’s faith doesn’t diminish our own; in fact, it enhances our own. For interfaith couples where both people are committed to their faiths, this is where the interesting conversations happen. As for humility, as I read the Gospels, Jesus was calling people to a different way of life – not about being in your face about religion.
RABBI MOFFIC: Jesus lived a Jewish life. He followed the commandments; he observed the Sabbath and Passover. As far as the divinity of Jesus, there are ways to have that discussion as well, especially when we see religious language as metaphor. Words like “Lord,” “Savior” and “Messiah” have come to us in translation, but God is bigger than any human language can truly describe. You take a word like “shekhinah” which in Hebrew means “the in-dwelling presence of God in our lives,” and it’s easy to see connections to the ways Christians talk about the Holy Spirit.
FATHER HURLEY: With Pentecost you can see so clearly its roots in Judaism with Shavuot. Or in John’s Gospel, the description of Jesus breathing on the disciples. Some would compare that to Adam and Eve – the metaphor of God breathing life into all of us so we can do that for one another. That’s part of the Holy Spirit, too.
RABBI MOFFIC: For Jews, talking about Jesus has been difficult because of centuries of Anti-Semitism, which still exists in too many places today. But we are blessed to live in a time and place where healing is possible. We are the generations since Vatican II, and there’s been greater openness between Jewish and Protestant communities as well.
FATHER HURLEY: And we’re blessed at this time and in history with a Pope who lives and breathes that sense of humility every day as he calls Catholics and Jews to work together for peace. When I was ordained, I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be as deeply involved in interfaith work, and I’m blessed to do it. I believe more firmly than ever that there are many ways into the mystery of God.
At the end a young woman said, “My husband and I feel very grateful for this discussion and this community. We are expecting our first child and we both hold strong convictions to our faiths. This is helping us communicate with one another about it, and face it rather than avoid it. It will enhance our own strength as parents.”
That’s one of the reasons we’re making Leaps of Faiths, and we thank all who are supporting us with donations, subscribing to our channel, liking and sharing us. Together we can show that love and acceptance are stronger than judgement and rejection.
It’s a Leap for us, too.