This work, the third in a series, seeks to elucidate the complex and beautiful relationship between Biblical Israel and the Church in God's plan. The Church is viewed as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the messianic Kingdom. Themes include: the People of God; the four marks of the Church (one, holy, catholic, and apostolic); the oral Torah and oral Tradition; the universal call to holiness; justification; continuity and discontinuity between Israel and the Church; and Mary, daughter of Zion and Mother of the Church. It is hoped that this book may deepen the awareness of Catholics (and others) of the luminous teaching of the Second Vatican Council in Nostra aetate 4: "The Church cannot forget that . . . she draws sustenance from the root of that well-cultivated olive tree [Israel] onto which have been grafted the wild shoots, the Gentiles."

This work, the first of a series, presents a theology of Israel and her beautiful mission in salvation history from the perspective of the Catholic faith. Topics include: the election of Israel, messianic prophecy, Biblical typology, the major feasts of Israel and their relation to the paschal mystery, the Mosaic Law and the New Law of Christ, the prayer of Israel and of the Church, the ongoing mission of the Jewish people to witness to the Messiah, and Mary-daughter of Zion and Mother of the Church. It is hoped that this book may deepen the awareness of Catholics and others of the luminous teaching of the Second Vatican Council in Nostra aetate 4: "As the sacred synod searches into the mystery of the Church, it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham's stock."

This work, the second in a series, presents a theology of Israel and her mission in salvation history from the perspective of the Catholic faith. It seeks to bring out the beautiful role of Israel in the history of salvation and the deep ties between Israel and the Church. Key elements of theology-faith, hope, charity, the problem of suffering, priesthood and sacrifice, marriage and the family, the gifts of the Holy Spirit-are treated from the perspectives of the Old and the New Covenants. It is hoped that this book may deepen the awareness of Catholics and others of the luminous teaching of the Second Vatican Council in Nostra aetate 4: "As the sacred synod searches into the mystery of the Church, it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham's stock."

What kind of natural desire is this? How can there be a natural desire for what can only be supernaturally obtained? How can such a desire be reconciled with the gratuitousness of grace and glory? What are its implications for apologetics? These and similar questions have caused a debate to rage for centuries over the proper interpretation of the natural desire to see God. This work seeks to determine the nature of this desire and its relationship with the supernatural order through an examination of the thought of St. Thomas and some of his most prominent interpreters, including Scotus, Cajetan, Suarez, and Henri de Lubac.