Reflections By The Bay

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE 104th WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2018

[14 January 2018]

“Welcoming, protecting, promoting and
integrating migrants and refugees”

Dear brothers and sisters!

“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:34).

Throughout the first years of my pontificate, I have repeatedly expressed my particular concern for the lamentable situation of many migrants and refugees fleeing from war, persecution, natural disasters and poverty.

This situation is undoubtedly a “sign of the times” which I have tried to interpret, with the help of the Holy Spirit, ever since my visit to Lampedusa on 8 July 2013. When I instituted the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I wanted a particular section – under my personal direction for the time being – to express the Church’s concern for migrants, displaced people, refugees and victims of human trafficking.

Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age (Matthew 25:35-43). The Lord entrusts to the Church’s motherly love every person forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future.^{^[1]} This solidarity must be concretely expressed at every stage of the migratory experience – from departure through journey to arrival and return. This is a great responsibility, which the Church intends to share with all believers and men and women of good will, who are called to respond to the many challenges of contemporary migration with generosity, promptness, wisdom and foresight, each according to their own abilities.

In this regard, I wish to reaffirm that “our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate”.^{^[2]}

Considering the current situation , welcoming means, above all, offering broader options for migrants and refugees to enter destination countries safely and legally. This calls for a concrete commitment to increase and simplify the process for granting humanitarian visas and for reunifying families. At the same time, I hope that a greater number of countries will adopt private and community sponsorship programmes, and open humanitarian corridors for particularly vulnerable refugees. Furthermore, special temporary visas should be granted to people fleeing conflicts in neighbouring countries. Collective and arbitrary expulsions of migrants and refugees are not suitable solutions, particularly where people are returned to countries which cannot guarantee respect for human dignity and fundamental rights.^{^[3]} Once again, I want to emphasise the importance of offering migrants and refugees adequate and dignified initial accommodation. “More widespread programmes of welcome, already initiated in different places, seem to favour a personal encounter and allow for greater quality of service and increased guarantees of success”.^{^[4]} The principle of the centrality of the human person, firmly stated by my beloved Predecessor, Benedict XVI,^{^[5]} obliges us to always prioritise personal safety over national security. It is necessary, therefore, to ensure that agents in charge of border control areproperly trained. The situation of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees requires that they be guaranteed personal safety and access to basic services. For the sake of the fundamental dignity of every human person, we must strive to find alternative solutions to detention for those who enter a country without authorisation.^{^[6]}

The second verb – protecting – may be understood as a series of steps intended to defend the rights and dignity of migrants and refugees, independent of their legal status.^{^[7]} Such protection begins in the country of origin, and consists in offering reliable and verified information before departure, and in providing safety from illegal recruitment practices.^{^[8]} This must be ongoing, as far as possible, in the country of migration, guaranteeing them adequate consular assistance, the right to personally retain their identity documents at all times, fair access to justice, the possibility of opening a personal bank account, and a minimum sufficient to live on. When duly recognised and valued, the potential and skills of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees are a true resource for the communities that welcome them.^{^[9]} This is why I hope that, in countries of arrival, migrants may be offered freedom of movement, work opportunities, and access to means of communication, out of respect for their dignity. For those who decide to return to their homeland, I want to emphasise the need to develop social and professional reintegration programmes. The International Convention on the Rights of the Child provides a universal legal basis for the protection of underage migrants. They must be spared any form of detention related to migratory status, and must be guaranteed regular access to primary and secondary education. Equally, when they come of age they must be guaranteed the right to remain and to enjoy the possibility of continuing their studies. Temporary custody or foster programmes should be provided for unaccompanied minors and minors separated from their families.^{^[10]} The universal right to a nationality should be recognised and duly certified for all children at birth. The statelessness which migrants and refugees sometimes fall into can easily be avoided with the adoption of “nationality legislation that is in conformity with the fundamental principles of international law”.^{^[11]} Migratory status should not limit access to national healthcare and pension plans, nor affect the transfer of their contributions if repatriated.

Promoting essentially means a determined effort to ensure that all migrants and refugees – as well as the communities which welcome them – are empowered to achieve their potential as human beings, in all the dimensions which constitute the humanity intended by the Creator.^{^[12]} Among these, we must recognize the true value of the religious dimension, ensuring to all foreigners in any country the freedom of religious belief and practice. Many migrants and refugees have abilities which must be appropriately recognised and valued. Since “work, by its nature, is meant to unite peoples”,^{^[13]} I encourage a determined effort to promote the social and professional inclusion of migrants and refugees, guaranteeing for all – including those seeking asylum – the possibility of employment, language instruction and active citizenship, together with sufficient information provided in their mother tongue. In the case of underage migrants, their involvement in labour must be regulated to prevent exploitation and risks to their normal growth and development. In 2006, Benedict XVI highlighted how, in the context of migration, the family is “a place and resource of the culture of life and a factor for the integration of values”.^{^[14]} The family’s integrity must always be promoted, supporting family reunifications – including grandparents, grandchildren and siblings – independent of financial requirements. Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees with disabilities must be granted greater assistance and support. While I recognize the praiseworthy efforts, thus far, of many countries, in terms of international cooperation and humanitarian aid, I hope that the offering of this assistance will take into account the needs (such as medical and social assistance, as well as education) of developing countries which receive a significant influx of migrants and refugees. I also hope that local communities which are vulnerable and facing material hardship, will be included among aid beneficiaries.^{^[15]}

The final verb – integrating – concerns the opportunities for intercultural enrichment brought about by the presence of migrants and refugees. Integration is not “an assimilation that leads migrants to suppress or to forget their own cultural identity. Rather, contact with others leads to discovering their ‘secret’, to being open to them in order to welcome their valid aspects and thus contribute to knowing each one better. This is a lengthy process that aims to shape societies and cultures, making them more and more a reflection of the multi-faceted gifts of God to human beings”.^{^[16]} This process can be accelerated by granting citizenship free offinancial or linguistic requirements, and by offering the possibility of special legalisation to migrants who can claim a long period of residence in the country of arrival. I reiterate the need to foster a culture of encounter in every way possible – by increasingopportunities for intercultural exchange, documenting and disseminating best practices of integration, and developing programmes to prepare local communities for integration processes. I wish to stress the special case of people forced to abandon their country of arrival due to a humanitarian crisis. These people must be ensured adequate assistance for repatriation and effective reintegration programmes in their home countries.

In line with her pastoral tradition, the Church is ready to commit herself to realising all the initiatives proposed above. Yet in order to achieve the desired outcome, the contribution of political communities and civil societies is indispensable, each according to their own responsibilities.

At the United Nations Summit held in New York on 19 September 2016, world leaders clearly expressed their desire to take decisive action in support of migrants and refugees to save their lives and protect their rights, sharing this responsibility on a global level. To this end, the states committed themselves to drafting and approving, before the end of 2018, two Global Compacts, one for refugees and the other for migrants.

Dear brothers and sisters, in light of these processes currently underway, the coming months offer a unique opportunity to advocate and support the concrete actions which I have described with four verbs. I invite you, therefore, to use every occasion to share this message with all political and social actors involved (or who seek to be involved) in the process which will lead to the approval of the two Global Compacts.

Today, 15 August, we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. The Holy Mother of God herself experienced the hardship of exile (Matthew 2:13-15), lovingly accompanied her Son’s journey to Calvary, and now shares eternally his glory. To her maternal intercession we entrust the hopes of all the world’s migrants and refugees and the aspirations of the communities which welcome them, so that, responding to the Lord’s supreme commandment, we may all learn to love the other, the stranger, as ourselves.

Vatican City, 15 August 2017

Solemnity of the Assumption of the B.V. Mary

FRANCIS

^{^[1]} Cf. Pius XII, Apostolic Constitution Exsul Familia, Titulus Primus, I.

^{^[2]} Address to Participants in the International Forum on “Migration and Peace”, 21 February 2017.

^{^[3]} Cf. Statement of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the 103^rd Session of the Council of the IOM, 26 November 2013.

^{^[4]} Address to Participants in the International Forum on “Migration and Peace”, 21 February 2017.

^{^[5]} Cf. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 47.

^{^[6]} Cf. Statement of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the 20^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, 22 June 2012.

^{^[7]} Cf. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 62.

^{^[8]} Cf. Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, Instruction Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi, 6.

^{^[9]} Cf. Benedict XVI, Address to the Participants in the 6^th World Congress for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, 9 November 2009.

^{^[10]} Cf. Benedict XVI, Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (2010) and Statement of the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the 26^th Ordinary Session of the Human Rights Council on the Human Rights of Migrants, 13 June 2014.

^{^[11]} Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Welcoming Christ in Refugees and Forcibly Displaced Persons, 2013, 70.

^{^[12]} Cf. Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Populorum Progressio, 14.

^{^[13]} John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 27.

^{^[14]} Benedict XVI, Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (2007).

^{^[15]} Cf. Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Welcoming Christ in Refugees and Forcibly Displaced Persons, 2013, 30-31.

^{^[16]} John Paul II, Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (2005).

WE HARDLY KNEW YOU.

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 2^nd Tuesday in Ordinary Time is “We Hardly Knew You.”

TODAY’S FIRST READING - APPEARANCE

I got that title and this thought from today’s first reading from 1^st Samuel. The author has God saying these profound words, “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him.”

That is referring to Jesse’s 7 sons that were presented to Samuel as a possible king and none of them had what Samuel thought God was looking for. Remember Samuel was told by the Lord to go to Jesse - a man in Bethlehem - and anoint one of his sons king.

The Lord also says, “Not as man sees does God see - because he sees the appearance - but the Lord looks into the heart.”

So Samuel asks if there is anyone else?

That’s when they call for David, the youngest, the 8^th child - who is out somewhere tending the sheep.

When he walks in, the Lord said, “There - anoint him - for this is he.”

DAVID

This is now David is introduced into our Bible.

The year is around 1000 B. C.

The text from Samuel is dated between 630 to 540 B.C.

By the time the David stories are written down in the Jewish Bible that we use, the spoken stories were first made better. The legends took over - and the group that favored David gave him good press down through the years.

Whenever I read about David, Richard Gere appears - because he played David in the movie. That’s not bad - compared to Ernest Borgnine and also John Wayne both playing the part of the Centurion who says at Calvary, “Truly this is the son of God.”

WHO IS THIS OTHER PERSON?

Years ago - after John F. Kennedy’s death, there was a book called, “Johnny We Hardly Knew You.

I think of that book - it also became a song - as well as a movie: Johnny I/we hardly knew you - whenever the question of who is this other person is or was.

I think of my dad at times. He was an introvert - but too, too quiet - and I have questions I’d love to ask him. Daddy we hardly knew you. He was always there - the perfect gentleman - but I still have questions.

My mom and my only brother I knew the best, but not enough. My sister Peggy and I did not get enough chances to talk. The only one left, my sister Mary, I know the best and we’ve been working on this.

APPEARANCE

So this Bible text is relevant to me? How about you?

I’m not married, but I’ve been blessed that I have lived in a community most of my life as a priest. As a result I have been blessed to know some wonderful people.

Some obvious learnings are these:

We can be in the same house and not know each other.

We can hear people talk about someone we live and/or work with and we say, “We hardly know you Johnny.”

I have done hundreds of funerals and I try to find out about another. I feel good when someone says, “You really captured her.”

I find out that some people can figure out another much better than others.

I tell myself - you better have people who know you.

I try not to judge others. I like the Native America saying more and more as I get older. Don’t judge another - until you walked a mile in their moccasins. And I add the last part of that word - and also say, Don’t judge. You won’t know another until you walk a mile in their sins. As priest I have heard a lot of confessions - and I noticed in today’s first reading - “the Lord looks into the heart.”

CONCLUSION

This basic thought we all know. We’re surprised by it at times.

And the one story - and warning - I have never forgotten is in the book, The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. It should be read once a year.

A doctor got cancer and died. He never told anyone. People said how brave he was. His family was furious. He never told them.

January 16, 2018

NEVER GIVE UP

Thanks to all who have come up
with steps to growth: 12 of these
and 7 of that; 3 of these and 5 of
that. Keep stepping. Keep coming.
Keep climbing. Keep trying gal or guy.

January 16, 2018

Thought for today:

“A rabbit’s foot may be lucky; but the original owner wasn’t.”

Anonymous

Monday, January 15, 2018

PRAYER AS LISTENING

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 2^nd Monday in Ordinary Time is, “Prayer as Listening.”

People who want a deeper - wider - higher - richer - better - prayer life - soon find out prayer is difficult.

People who take time to pray soon find out they are poor - when it comes to trying to pray.

They realize they are distracted. They realize they look at their watch. They realize they stop praying. They realize prayer can be the pits.

LISTENING

If we see “Prayer as listening” - the title of my homily - we can get a glimpse at what is happening to us when it comes to prayer.

Start with listening to each other. It’s a good education principle to go from the known to the unknown.

It’s difficult listening to people right in front of us - our kids, our spouse, our parents, our friends, those we work with.

Listening is difficult.

We don’t look another in the eye. We look at our watch. We judge the other - thinking inwardly, “Oh no not again. I heard this story, this speech, this complaint, over and over again.”

Another speaks. They tell a story about their grandkid or their vacation to Disneyworld. It triggers our vacations and our grandkids going to Salisbury University or Stanford or AACC - Anne Arundel Community College - and at their first breath - we see an opening and out comes our story.

Listening is difficult.

Now if it’s difficult to listen to another whom we can see visibly - how much more difficult it is to listen to God who is invisible?

That message, that learning, that reality is said loud and clear in the First Letter of John - who uses it in terms of love. In Chapter 4: 20 we can read, “Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers and sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.”

So if we can’t listen to others, or if we find it difficult to listen to another, how much more difficult it is to listen to God?

Listening is difficult.

Prayer is difficult.

TODAY’S FIRST READING

Today’s First Reading from the first Book of Samuel continues the theme we heard in yesterday’s first reading from Samuel. It’s all about listening.

Prayer is all about saying to God. “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

What a great way to begin any time of prayer, when you come here for Mass or you go to the Eucharistic Chapel - or you have a special Prayer Chair in your house - just sit there and breathe, relax, and say, maybe with open hands, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Then listen.

Tom Green, the Jesuit, used to say, “Okay God, you got 5 minutes to say something. Then listen.” Then if God says nothing - or nothing you hear, read a psalm or Bible text or say a prayer, and then say again, “Speak Lord, I’m listening.”

Or have a journal note book. Put on the top of a blank page, “January 15, 2018. Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. What are my dreams for our world, our nation. Then think. Then pray. Then listen.”

LISTENING

Or listen to today’s gospel. Read it. Think it. Pray it.

It talks about fasting for starters.

Maybe I have to see fasting in a new way. Fasting from talking. Fasting from TV. Fasting from dust. Fasting from laziness. Whatever.

Today’s gospel is about seeing a relationship with God as a marriage.

Maybe I need to listen better to my spouse. Ask him or her where they are on playing cards together - walking together.

That last one. Right now it’s cold. But I heard at thanksgiving that two of my nieces - maybe more - have started the practice of taking nice walks with each other in the evening especially - after supper. They are all in their 50’s. I don’t know if it started with Margie and Jerry. Margie had cancer last year and she went through serious surgery and chemo or radiation. Ah - and I assume they realized time be limited. And my nieces all talk to each other.

CONCLUSION

The title of my homily is, “Prayer as Listening.”

If we listen to that first reading again, we might hear something that we didn’t hear the first time. I know I didn’t. It’s a question. “Does the Lord so delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices / as in obedience to the command of the Lord?”

Then Samuel says, “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission than the fat of rams.”

There’s two hot button words: obedience and submission. I know a married woman who writes to her church’s office when a certain reading is coming up from Saint Paul - that they use the shortened version of Paul’s letter telling women to be obedient to their husbands.

Well if we realized obedience is listening - and we ought to be both listening to each other - which can be a great sacrifice and fasting - then life would be so much sweeter for all - and prayer life better as well.