Reflection by Fr. Conrad Targonski, OFM

Yom Kippur is the final day of observance for the Jewish New Year which began with last week’s Rosh Ha-Shanah. These ten days sometimes referred to as the High Holy Days are preferably referred to as “Yamim Noraim” or “The Days of Awe.” They are meant to be a celebration of the beginning of the new year and a striving for atonement of our misdeeds of the past year. The day is beautifully scripted to how we can be cognizant of the ways we have failed—failed others, failed our own selves and failed God. Interestingly, Yom Kippur is no longer a day of repentance in its primary focus but rather a day of this at-one-ment—a day when those who have failed at repentance—and which of us has not?—may cast themselves upon God’s mercies and ask that God continue to act for us so we can be again “one” with the Almighty. The Christian seasons of Advent and Lent also stress the importance of “at-one-ment” with God and others for the former, and “at-one-ment” with God and one’s self for the latter.

REFLECTION:
On Yom Kippur two things become fundamentally clear. We are inextricably bound in relationship and responsibility to both our neighbor and our God.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." (Deut. 6:5)
"Love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:18)
Love God, and love your neighbor as yourself." (cf. Mk. 12:30–31)

Appropriate Scripture for Yom Kippur is primarily the book of Jonah which highlights:

• The city of Nineveh, heretofore with no relationship to God, responds wholeheartedly to the call for conversion;
• Jonah understands at the very end of the book that God’s compassion is for us to follow—even when we don’t understand.

A Jewish Prayer

To those I may have wronged, I ask forgiveness.
To those I may have helped, I wish I had done more.
To those I neglected to help, I ask for understanding.
To those who helped me, I thank you with all my Heart!
G’mar Hatimah Tovah!