8.127.1. But doesn’t the Bible say we must bless Israel to be blessed?
Many Protestants and even some ill-informed modern “Catholics” believe that God still promises blessings to those who “bless Israel,” often referring to Genesis 12:3:
“I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee: and in thee shall all the kindred of the earth be blessed.”
They interpret “Israel” to mean the modern-day State of Israel or the ethnic Jewish people, suggesting that supporting them politically or religiously guarantees divine favor. This interpretation is profoundly mistaken and contradicts Catholic teaching.
Catholic Teaching on Abraham’s Promise
Genesis 12:3 refers to a promise made to Abraham, not to unbelieving Jews in perpetuity. The Church Fathers and St. Paul in the New Testament clarify that the blessing through Abraham is fulfilled in Christ, not in ethnic descendants.
St. Paul writes:
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many: but as of one, ‘And to thy seed,’ which is Christ.”
Thus, Christ is the Seed of Abraham, and all who are united to Christ — by faith and baptism in the Catholic Church — are heirs of the promise:
“If you be Christ’s, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.”
The Church is the New Israel
The Catholic Church, not modern Israel or unbelieving Jews, is the New Israel (Galatians 6:16, “the Israel of God”). The Old Covenant was fulfilled and superseded by the New Covenant in Christ’s Blood. The Church teaches that the Old Law has ceased with the coming of Christ.
Pope St. Pius X, when asked by a Zionist in 1904 whether the Church recognizes the Jewish people, replied:
“The Jewish religion was the true religion until the coming of Christ; but since that time it has ceased to be.”
Therefore, to bless the true “Israel” today means to support the Church and remain faithful to Christ, not to give political or religious approval to those who reject the Messiah.
Vatican II’s Contradiction
The heresy of dual-covenant theology, encouraged by Vatican II's Nostra Aetate, teaches that the Jewish people still have a salvific relationship with God apart from Christ. This directly contradicts:
Council of Florence (1442): “The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church… can be saved.”
Council of Trent, and the ordinary magisterium of the Church, which taught extra Ecclesiam nulla salus — outside the Church there is no salvation.
This post-Vatican II reversal undermines evangelization and betrays the Jewish people by withholding the truth of Christ from them.
| Category | Traditional Catholic View | Post-Vatican II View | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning of “Israel” | The Catholic Church — the true spiritual Israel | Ethnic Jews or the modern State of Israel | Scripture defines Christ and His Church as Abraham’s seed (Gal. 3:16) |
| Blessing Israel | Means fidelity to Christ and His Church | Means political/religious support for modern Israel | Modern interpretation is a Protestant/Zionist error |
| Covenant Status | The Old Covenant ended with Christ | Jews still enjoy a special covenant with God | This contradicts infallible teachings (Council of Florence, Trent) |
| Evangelization | Jews must convert to be saved | Conversion is optional or unnecessary | Failure to preach Christ to the Jews is spiritual cruelty |
| Theological Source | St. Paul, Church Fathers, Magisterium | *Nostra Aetate*, modern ecumenism | Modern view is a rupture with Catholic Tradition |
Summary:
The belief that Christians must “bless Israel” in order to be blessed by God is a serious theological error rooted in a misreading of Genesis 12:3. This verse does not refer to the modern political entity of Israel or the Jewish people in general, but to the blessing given through Abraham — fulfilled entirely in Jesus Christ. According to St. Paul, the true seed of Abraham is Christ Himself, and those who are in Christ are the true heirs of the promise (Gal. 3:16–29).
For centuries, the Catholic Church taught that the Old Covenant ceased with the coming of Christ and that Jews must convert in order to be saved. This was not hatred, but charity — bringing the truth to those in error. The true Israel of God is now the Catholic Church, not a race or nation that rejects the Messiah.
Vatican II, however, introduced Nostra Aetate, which promoted ambiguous and even heretical ideas about the Jews and their relationship with God. It suggested that the Jewish people maintain a unique covenantal bond, even though they deny Christ — an idea condemned by earlier popes and councils. This shift gave rise to a new ecumenism and interfaith dialogue that falsely implies salvation without Christ.
This betrayal has had tragic consequences. Instead of boldly proclaiming the Gospel to Jews, modern Church leaders have fostered a false peace, allowing millions to die in unbelief. The supposed kindness of “blessing Israel” by affirming them in their rejection of Christ is, in truth, spiritual negligence.
Catholics who want to truly bless Israel must do so by proclaiming the Gospel, praying for their conversion, and adhering to the unchanging teachings of the Church. This is the only path to salvation — not sentimentalism, political alliances, or ecumenical slogans.
“He who hears you, hears Me. He who rejects you, rejects Me.”
“There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”