I. Charism - La Salle.org

II. CHARISM IN THE BIBLE 23
7. Charisms of the Jewish people
The vocation of the People of God in the Old Testament is their
response to various callings which lead to different charisms, the
same ones which sustain the calling giving them their identity. So
it is that:
1. Thanks to the charism of universality, the Jews are called to
come to terms with their election by God in the midst of the
nations and to do so despite the ambiguities of the Diaspora
which is at one and the same time blessing and chastisement.
2. Thanks to the charism of fidelity, they must accept the “promises”
of fertility, of the Promised Land and of the Presence of God
amongst them.
3. Thanks to the charism of listening, they are called to observe the
Covenant with its commandments. In Hebrew to obey and to listen
are the same word.
4. Thanks to the charism of wisdom and perceptiveness, they will
be able to choose Life.
5. Thanks to the charism of memory, they are called to worship
God in the Temple and the synagogue recalling all the “magnalia
Dei”, the presence of God in their History.
6. Thanks to the charism of martyrdom, they are called to be witnesses:
a) of monotheism and the absoluteness of God;
b) of the epic deeds accomplished by God on their behalf;
c) of a linear view of History which became sacred through
God’s revelation;
d) of the universality of the message of salvation revealed by
God;