Not Welcoming the Foreigner

Last summer I posted an article on social media about the Blekic family that was going to be deported with an update that the deportation occurred.  I did so because I identified a lot with Medina, one of the children.  I wrote: "This girl is from my hometown.  I was in the JROTC like she was...  Yet she can't be an American like me.  She was deported today."

I also posted it because people will have a better understanding of the issues when names and faces are attached to them.  You can read the article by clicking here.

What I didn't realize until then was how polarizing my post would be.  While the majority of people gave sympathetic thoughts, there were a few that alleged I was anti-American for sharing the article, and that I was encouraging opposition to government policies.  I ended up losing a few Facebook friends over it.  So I want to take the opportunity to respond to all of it here.

First of all, I am a proud American.  I love the United States.  I believe that our country's safety requires defense and protection.  I am also a Christian, and therefore am challenged to look at the world through the eyes of Jesus Christ.  I believe this wider perspective is good for our nation.

Secondly, I realize that individuals of good faith can come to different conclusions on civil matters.  The problem is that not everyone thinks this.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church doesn't offer much specifically on immigration or deportation, but it does say this:  "The more prosperous nations are obliged...to welcome the foreigner in search for security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country or origin" (paragraph 2241).

I really thought that Medina's story seemed to apply to this teaching.  Her family is from war torn Bosnia and came to the USA in 2008 requesting asylum.  In 2014, their request for asylum was denied and were eventually told that they would be deported once Medina finished high school.  No reason was given (at least that was reported in the article) and they couldn't understand why since they had four extended family members that had already become US citizens.

While living in Florida, Medina's parents had good jobs.  She sang the national anthem at sporting events and wanted to become physician in the Navy.  They seemed like good Americans to me, except they aren't allowed to become Americans because they were born in Bosnia.

It's worth saying that the people that hassled me over the article were all US citizens by birth and their families have lived in the USA for several generations.  They will probably never have to personally deal with deportation or immigration.  They have the privilege of being on the easy side of the argument.  If they didn't have such a privilege, I bet their position would be different.

Viewing the world through the eyes of Jesus is my privilege.  I wish more people could do it.

Abortion as the Demonic Parody of the Eucharist

People who have read my blog in the past know that I have always been pro-life.  That being said, I have something small to confess.  Last January, I felt defeated with opposing abortion.  The March for Life seemed pointless- even if Roe vs Wade were actually overturned, there are still other laws that permit abortion.  I thought that people who want legalized abortion were going to continue to want this regardless of anything I had to say.  I was still pro-life, but had no longer had any argument left in me.  

My indifference was wrong, and it was seeing this on Twitter that brought me out of it:  

This struck me pretty hard because I had never thought about this before.  This sacred phrase spoken by Jesus Christ has been blasphemed by Satan, who has fooled people into  using the phrase to justify killing our brothers and sisters in the womb.

This is my body is a phrase from the words of institution that, when said by the priest, change the bread into Christ's Eucharistic presence during Mass:  "Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you," (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1412-1413).  This is why these words are so important to us.

Knowing what the Church teaches about evil and that Satan is "a murderer from the beginning," I suppose that I shouldn't have been surprised (CCC 2850-2852).

So how do we stop the blaspheming of words of Jesus?  First, we should stay close to the Eucharist.  Jesus will deliver us from evil if we stay close to him (CCC 2853-2854).

Then we as the Church should stay close to people who have taken part in an abortion.  In some ways, they need the Eucharist more than anyone else.  If someone once drove them to an abortion clinic, then someone can bring them to the Church where they can receive healing through sacramental confession and be united in the Eucharist.  "No one is excluded from the mercy of God," (General Audience of Pope Francis on January 20, 2016).

At the same time, we have to create a culture that is truly pro-life.  Marching, picketing, and praying to end abortion are fine actions, but they are not sufficient on their own.  The reality of the Gospel must be brought into society.  Having children is a privilege.  No one should feel that pregnancy is a burden.  No one should be put in such a position where the possibility of terminating pregnancy is the better option. 

This last point is important.  Use prudence and gentleness when talking about abortion.  For me, I was ready to hear Peter Kreeft's powerful quote at this time in my life.  Others can be at different points on the journey, thus charity and kindness should lead.  Truth without love is cruel.  It can also be another tool for the devil to use against us.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection...        

Unpacking Suicide and Mortal Sin

You may have heard the outrage over a homily given by Detroit priest Fr. Don LaCuesta at the funeral of a teenager who had committed suicide.  The family took their criticisms to the media, launching a small firestorm for the priest and the archdiocese. The firestorm eventually ended when the archdiocese released the homily to the media, leaving most people confused on what the family was so upset about.

This story was the setting for a post on Twitter that really bothered me.  It said that suicide was a mortal sin and the funeral should have never been offered.  This troubling comment is what I will be unpacking here.

Let's start by looking at the Catholic Church says about mortal sin.  Mortal sin, which is a grave violation of God's law, turns us away from God.  You don't ever want to do this.  Further, the Church provides three conditions that must be fulfilled in order for a sin to be mortal:  grave matter, full knowledge that the act is a sin, and complete consent of the will.  (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1854-1861)

Applying these conditions, it is possible to say that individuals who have attempted suicide may not have committed mortal sin.  Suicide is certainly grave matter, but there are two things that we don't know:  if the troubled individual knows that suicide is contrary to God's law and the personal's ability to give complete consent since he/she is under such emotional duress.

In recognizing this, the Church teaches: "Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship...can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide." She also instructs: "We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives.  By ways known to Him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance.  The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives." (CCC 2282)

Returning to the tweet, it wasn't the inconsistency with Church teaching that bothered me, but rather the attitude that was conveyed towards people who have attempted suicide.  In the reality that the Gospel message brings us, those affected by suicide should be embraced by the Church, especially since the need for them to receive God's grace is so obvious.  Further, no one should ever have to experience such despair that suicide is considered. 

You're probably wondering if I entered into dialogue with the person on Twitter...  I did.  It must have been fruitful because he eventually deleted his tweet (otherwise I would have included a picture of it).   I learned a lot from him as well- he himself had attempted suicide when he was younger and I'm not sure if he has ever forgiven himself for it.  Be sure to be sensitive when broaching topics like this.  You may not know about the wounds the other person is carrying.

Please read Fr. LaCuesta's homily.  It's actually really beautiful.

If you are contemplating suicide, please reach out to someone.  All life reflects God's beauty, including yours.