As we as
a nation look at protecting ourselves against terrorist attacks, as we try to
preserve religious freedom, as we celebrate the Year of Mercy, as we look at
who we allow to enter our country as immigrants and refugees, we realize that
these are very difficult issues indeed.
How welcoming are we to people in our community, in our parish, and in
our country. I look at this issues as
the pastor of a large Catholic Church.
Next month, I will journey to Spain as a pilgrim to walk the Camino of
Santiago de Compostela, a journey I will be making for the fourth time. I will be relying on people being welcoming
to me in order to make it through this rigorous journey over hills and
mountains in the midst of the cold of winter.
I recently saw a verse from a 12th-century Latin hymn from a
pilgrims’ hostel near the border with France talking about how welcoming this
hostel was in welcoming pilgrims on their journey:
Its
doors open to the sick and well,
To
Catholics as well as to pagans,
Jews,
beggars, heretics, and the indigent,
And it
embraces all like brothers and sisters.
May we
be able to look into our hearts to see how we are welcoming to others, perhaps
to others who make us feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. May Jesus open our hearts to be more
welcoming to others as we prepare to welcome his Son into our world and into
our lives.
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