Leviticus 19:34 — The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am your God.
Matthew 25:35 — I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
When a humanitarian issue is presented, as Christian we must look to the Word of God for guidance. Yesterday, January 12, was the eighth anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti. The Sisters of Charity stand with those who came to our shores to escape life-threatening hardships, both in Haiti and El Salvador. After much suffering, our sisters and brothers from these countries have shown tremendous resiliency in rebuilding their lives. They have embraced our American way of life. Our Gospel values are clear on any policy that forcibly returns people to situations that are harmful and separates families.
The Sisters of Charity stand united with American bishops in asking our government to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for our sisters and brothers from Haiti and El Salvador and provide a path to permanent residency. We ask all to join us in prayer for those who are living under uncertain and perilous conditions. Let us all “Welcome the Stranger.”
The first reading of the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time reminds us that we too, like Samuel, can find it difficult to hear and understand the call of the Lord. We are reminded in the gospel reading from John that Jesus invites us to “Come and See.” Grateful for the Sisters of Charity standing with those affected by TPS. I pray for TPS recipients threatened with deportation and seek to hear the call of Jesus by getting to know them and their stories.