The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

The teaching of the Church regarding Immigration is categorized under the explanation of the 4th Commandment to honor & obey your mother & father. It is under this commandment that our duties & responsibilities towards society are also expounded. Society is not specifically family, but it has many parallels. And made in the image & likeness of God, all humanity is part of God’s family. As such, we are taught & challenged to engage with immigrants as part of our “extended” family. And if they are Baptized, then they are spiritually our sisters & brothers in the Family of God.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:            <https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7S.HTM>

2212 The fourth commandment illuminates other relationships in society. In our brothers and sisters, we see the children of our parents; in our cousins, the descendants of our ancestors; in our fellow citizens, the children of our country; in the baptized, the children of our mother the Church; in every human person, a son or daughter of the One who wants to be called "our Father." In this way our relationships with our neighbors are recognized as personal in character. the neighbor is not a "unit" in the human collective; he is "someone" who by his known origins deserves particular attention and respect.

2236 The exercise of authority is meant to give outward expression to a just hierarchy of values in order to facilitate the exercise of freedom and responsibility by all. Those in authority should practice distributive justice wisely, taking account of the needs and contribution of each, with a view to harmony and peace. They should take care that the regulations and measures they adopt are not a source of temptation by setting personal interest against that of the community.

2237 Political authorities are obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person. They will dispense justice humanely by respecting the rights of everyone, especially of families and the disadvantaged. The political rights attached to citizenship can and should be granted according to the requirements of the common good. They cannot be suspended by public authorities without legitimate and proportionate reasons. Political rights are meant to be exercised for the common good of the nation and the human community.

2239 It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. the love and service of one's country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community.

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country:

• Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
• [Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners.... They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.... So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.
• The Apostle [Paul] exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way."

When we think about the political issue of Immigrant, we are challenged to remember that we, Christians, are instructed by St Peter & St Paul to always consider ourselves just temporary residents (I Pt 2:13 & Heb 11:13) – to use the Catechism’s language “Resident Aliens” – even in our own native country. For while we should love our native land, it is not our final destination. We are citizens of Heaven! (Phil 3:20) And this place, whether were or others were born here, are just passing through. We should be productive & responsible in that journey, yes! Yet, we must also extend welcome, companionship, & compassion towards those who also find themselves journeying through alongside us. Such a notion, might shift our understanding of responses to the political issues of immigration.

Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God.

Holy Family, Laborers in Love, Pray for us.

~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries