Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent : April 2, 2006

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

The Greeks who came to Philip said: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Perhaps you have the same request. I hope you do. Where do we find Jesus today? I know that all of you can answer that question. We find Christ in others, in our neighbor. As Catholics we are profoundly aware of the dignity of every human being by reason of divine creation; and that Christ is present in every human person by reason of His redemption. We cannot forget how Mother Theresa saw Christ in everyone. This teaching is easy to accept when we are fond of others, family and friends; but not so easy when they are people we do not like or who have hurt us. It is easy when they are the poor and suffering of the world but rather far away; but not so easy when they live in our neighborhoods or in our communities, especially if they might be seen as a threat to one’s safety or comfort.

“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Where do we find Him today? He is present in the immigrant without papers. We all know that our immigration system is broken and needs fixing. Most are approaching this enormously complex and challenging issue from a legal and economic perspective. Rightfully so. But such vision is not enough for the believer. It is even more than a humanitarian question. For us as Christians we look at the issue of immigration in the context of human dignity and the gospel message.

There are more than 10 commandments in the Old Testament. In the Book of Leviticus, God said to Moses: “When an alien resides with you in your land, do not molest him. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the Lord, am your God.” For Lent, the Church chooses the words of Saint Leo the Great as commentary upon this passage: “If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined.” The Bishops of California in their statement say: “In light of the gospel, we call for an answer that is humane, realistic and responsible while also serving our nation’s economic and security needs.”

The Catholic Church has always been the friend of immigrants. As the bishops of California say in their statement: “We expect our public officials to work together in a bipartisan fashion to create a new immigration system which respects our common humanity, reflects the values of fairness, compassion and opportunity and recognizes that we are a nation of immigrants.” Specifically the Bishops are asking for an immigration system that provides an earned legalization process for the undocumented persons and their families; a temporary worker program that is just and protects the worker against exploitation; and a timely family reunification policy. The Bishops of the United States along with the Bishops of Mexico support policies in each of their countries that address root causes of the problem so that migrants can remain in their home countries and support themselves and their families. And if the reform is to be just and moral it cannot include any sanctions for those who provide humanitarian aid for those without papers.

“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Where do we find Him today? Jesus Christ is everywhere but especially in the poor, in the vulnerable, in those who have come here – both the documented and the undocumented – in search of jobs and opportunity for themselves and their families.

Last Update April 3, 2006