Zeal · naturally results from love; some call it “love in action.” In the scriptures, zeal is used in reference to a movement of people to God as well as God with regard God’s people. The apostle Paul was moved by zeal, as have been many missionaries through the years. But also those in cloisters and many a ‘rosary warrior’ is rich with zeal for God and for souls.

Zealot · at the time of Jesus, was one who was so moved by religious zeal that they attached themselves to a movement or group who lived accordingly. The Romans feared zealot groups, should they combine forces. The band of disciples gathered around Jesus must have appeared (for good reason) to be zealots. The apostle Simon (not Peter) was one before he met Jesus and is often denoted with the title “Simon the Zealot”.

Zionism · is a movement within the Jewish religion that advocates and hopes for the return of God’s first people to Zion (modern-day Palestine/Israel). Zionist groups through history have either attempted to rally orthodox Jews into their own separated community with a leader (sometimes self-identifying as a ‘messiah’). Reformed Jews do not have the same aspirations either in belief or in their worship; though may would hope for the new and eternal Jerusalem in a similar way to the Christian tradition.