Busy this past week with many meetings
and then being away, I have not come up with a good idea for a column this
week. However, I do wish to pass on to you the following statement from the
U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Administrative Committee. It is timely and important, so I recommend it
to you.
God bless!
Fr. Chuck
Living
as a People of God in Unsettled Times, March 22, 2017
A
pastoral reflection from the Administrative Committee of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops
The
word of God is truly alive today. “When an alien resides with you in your
land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides
with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the
alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt” (Lev.
19:33-34).
To
live as a people of God is to live in the hope of the resurrection. To live in
Christ is to draw upon the limitless love of Jesus to fortify us against the
temptation of fear. Pray that our engagement in the debate over
immigration and refugee issues may bring peace and comfort to those most
affected by current and proposed national policy changes.
Let us not lose sight
of the fact that behind every policy is the story of a person in search of a
better life. They may be an immigrant or refugee family sacrificing so that
their children might have a brighter future. As shepherds
of a pilgrim Church, we will not tire in saying to families who have the
courage to set out from their despair onto the road of hope: “We are with you.”
They may also be a family seeking security from an increased threat of
extremist violence. It is necessary to safeguard the United States in a manner
that does not cause us to lose our humanity.
Intense
debate is essential to healthy democracy, but the rhetoric of fear does not
serve us well. When we look at one another do we see with the heart of
Jesus? Within our diverse backgrounds are found common dreams for our
children. Hope in the next generation is how the nation will realize its
founding motto, “out of many, one.” In doing so, we will also realize God’s
hope for all His children: that we would see each other as valued sisters
and brothers regardless of race, religion or national origin.
Our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (Jn. 1:14), strengthens us to
bring our words to life. How might we, as Catholics and in our own small
way, bring our words of solidarity for migrants and refugees to life?
1.
Pray for an end to the root causes of violent hatred that force mothers
and fathers to flee the only home they may have known in search of economic and
physical security for their children.
2.
Meet with members of your parish
who are newcomers, listen to their story and share your own. Hundreds of
Catholic parishes across the country have programs for immigrants and refugees
both to comfort them and to help them know their rights. It is also important
to reach out in loving dialogue to those who may disagree with us. The
more we come to understand each other’s concerns the better we can serve one
another. Together, we are one body in Christ.
3.
Call, write or visit your
elected representative and ask them to fix our broken immigration system in a
way that safeguards both our security and our humanity through a generous
opportunity for legal immigration.
As
Pope Francis said, “To migrate is the expression of that inherent desire for
the happiness proper to every human being, a happiness that is to be sought and
pursued. For us Christians, all human life is an itinerant journey
towards our heavenly homeland.”
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