Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 6/21

 

Two parts to today's post: first a quote from Archbishop Broglio, then my Pause for Prayer...

Here's a quote from a recent message from Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He's appealing to the soul of America and therefore to the hearts and souls of each one of us.  I hope and trust that in that spirit, we can all pray together this morning...

No one can turn a deaf ear to the palpable cries of anxiety and fear heard in communities throughout the country in the wake of a surge in immigration enforcement actions.

 

Law enforcement actions aimed at preserving order and ensuring community security are necessary for the common good. However, the current efforts go well beyond those with criminal histories. In the context of a gravely deficient immigration system, the mass arrest and removal of our neighbors, friends and family members on the basis of immigration status alone, particularly in ways that are arbitrary or without due process, represent a profound social crisis before which no person of good will can remain silent. The situation is far from the communion of life and love to which this nation of immigrants should strive…

As your shepherds, your fear echoes in our hearts and we make your pain our own. Count on the commitment of all of us to stand with you in this challenging hour. 

Lord, 

we are, 

all of us,

guests 

in this world 

of yours...

 

We didn't discover this planet

and much less do we own it:

it's ours

only

as your gift 

to us...

 

We don't own 

the land,

the prairies,

the mountains

or the vast,

uncharted, rolling

seas and oceans:

all your world

where you bid us come

to live, 

play,

plant,

roam

and build 

our cities 

and our homes...

 

Nor do we own 

our land,

our homes, Lord....

 

Oh, we may hold a deed, 

a title to a property,

but in reality

everything's on loan

to us

from you;

everything's a gift

to be shared;

to be divided

and apportioned;

to be surrendered

and distributed

by those who have much

with those who have little...

 

And yes:

there are laws and boundaries,

there are rights and justice,

there are rules and equity

but all of these are meant,

intended first and foremost,

to serve the common good

on this planet we call home,

in the life we're called to share

in this great and global 

village... 

 

We haven't got it all worked out

- not by a long shot, Lord -

but while we're trying

and until we do:

    open our ears to hear the cry

        of the poor, the hungry, the homeless;  

    open our eyes to see the needs

        of those who are knocking at our doors;

    and open, at least, our hearts to all 

        who seek a share of the bounty that's ours,

    the bounty you've shared with all of us, guests,

        seeking a place

            in the world that's yours...

 

Amen. 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!