Comments on: Who will be saved?

By: Oscar de Noronha

Oscar de Noronha — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:20:17 +0000

Thank you, António.
We are talking of a very, very distant past, and the events, too, took a long time to happen. God did give the Canaanites centuries to repent for their abominable behaviour (e.g. idolatry; Sodom and Gomorrah) and they did know of God’s intentions to gift their land to the Chosen People. So, it wasn’t a random attack but a divine ruling against a corrupt society. God did expect war, but protected the Chosen People, as he wanted to build a new society. Anyway, this new nation was also subject to God’s justice. No double standards. And Israel did suffer, and is still suffering, as we all know.
Now, as regards the land gift, theologians down the ages have seen it both literally and metaphorically. The problem is that Israel has always stressed the literal aspects; the Church has focussed on the metaphorical dimension.
Hope my post did not convey anything to the contrary. And as I stated in an earlier post, the Church rejects the idea that the Jews have a divine right to possess the Holy Land and advocates a two-nation theory (Israel and Palestine).

By: Antonio Fonseca

Antonio Fonseca — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:04:15 +0000

With profound respect for the Books of the Old Testament, the Biblical commentators and the faithful, I have to confess that I was mystified by the passage in the Bible that says God spoke to Abraham and told Abraham He (God) was giving to the Israelites the lands that were occupied by Canaanites and by several other ethnic groups. And that henceforth they were His Chosen People.
But search as I may, no where could I find that God then made KNOWN His decision to the people living on those lands! The result – WARS! Imagine this happening at our borders (or any borders for that matter)! Imagine someone coming to our door and telling us that God told him that he was now the owner of our home! I think this narrative is metaphorical and SHOULD NOT be taken literally. And there are other passages of this nature in the Good Book. A large number of the Books of the Old Testament are eminently a nation building exercise – the Israelites, a Nation of Chosen People! Fair enough.
If only they behaved as such.

By: Noel Noronha

Noel Noronha — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 10:51:30 +0000

A very sincere commendation for this reflection. Your candid and courageous approach to addressing the complexities of the situation in the Holy Land is thought-provoking. You did not mince words, and that clarity is exactly what is needed in times like these. Your ability to weave scriptural insights with current events, while maintaining theological depth and moral conviction, is admirable. You’ve spoken truth to power with grace and conviction, and your reflections challenge readers to examine not just geopolitical realities, but also spiritual responsibilities. Thank you for saying it as it is—with honesty, boldness, and unwavering faith.

By: Maria Ana da Costa

Maria Ana da Costa — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 07:56:01 +0000

Oscar, you have so aptly used today’s liturgy to point to the evil we witness daily in the ‘Holy Land’. Israel and some confused Christians are misusing biblical texts. Neither Israel nor we will be saved if we disobey God’s commands. Than you for stating the truth clearly.