Service for Unity, in connection with the Jewish people
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Meditation
What Shavuot commemorates
Christian communities have just celebrated the Pentecost and our Jew brothers Shavuot: what is the link between the two celebrations?
The word Shavuot means “weeks”. This celebration marks the ending of the seven weeks between the Passover and Shavuot. (The 50 days between Easter and the Pentecost for Christians.)
The Torah was given by God to the Hebrews on Mount Sinai more than 3300 years ago. Every year, during the Shavuot celebration, we renew our acceptance of this Divine gift, and God “gives again” the Torah.
In ancient times, two loaves of wheat bread were offered at the Sacred Temple on Shavuot. It was also during antiquity that people started bringing Bikkurim, their first harvested and best fruits, to thanks God for the abundance of Israeli soils.
This feast is celebrated by the lighting of candles and staying up all night studying the Torah and listening to the reading of the Ten Commandments at the synagogue, all while having a feast of fresh dairy products and more.
The gift of Torah was a far-reaching spiritual event which marked eternally the essence of the Hebrew spirit.
Wise people compared it to a pact between God and the Jews. Shavuot means “pact”, and on that day, God made a perpetual alliance with us while in return we swore eternal loyalty to Him.
Intercessions
(To be adapted according to each place)
R. Amen, amen, blessed be the God of Israel
Or another chorus.
1.Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who mourned because of the violence between Cain and Abel,
–we pray to you for peace in the Holy Land, this land where you have chosen to come and join us in our humanity
2.Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who made possible the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers,
-for any contempt for your people Israel, forgive us
(silence)
-we pray to you, Father, to make fraternity grow between the Jewish people and the nations.
3.Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who brought Israel out of Egypt and made your people free,
-give your joy to the Jewish people, and keep them faithful to your covenant.
4.Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who united the twelve tribes of Israel around the Torah,
-give peace to the Jews who believe in Jesus.
5.Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who sent your Son Jesus to save us,
-pour out your blessing on Christians who are of Jewish descent.
6.Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
Father of Jesus Christ,
–bring together in unity all Christian churches.
7.Loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
– you have given the Jewish people the promise of the coming of the Messiah,
– you have given the Church the expectation of the expectation of your son’s return.
– in the Holy Spirit we say with the whole Church: “Maranatha, come Lord”.