During this
past year we have watched, in almost disbelief, as hundreds of thousands of
people flee their homes in Syria and other parts of the world. The image of three year old Aylan Kurdi,
washed up on a beach last August, as his family attempted to reach safety,
caused complete outrage around the world. For a while we reacted and acted and
called for an immediate response from our governments. Not since WWII have so
many people been forced from their homes. So much can be said today about this
crisis and we must continue to ask ourselves: how can we respond?
We must
always be ready to welcome the refugee and migrant. Our faith is one of
hospitality, compassion and mercy. In the Gospel today, Mary urges the
disciples to ‘do whatever He tells you’
and we see Jesus perform a sign that shows he has come for the transformation
of that which causes barriers to God’s Kingdom.
The refugee crisis may challenge
us but as people of the Gospel of Mercy, we must respond: “Mercy nourishes and strengthens solidarity
towards others as a necessary response to God’s gracious love…Each of us is
responsible for his or her neighbour: we are our brothers’ and sisters’
keepers, wherever they live. Concern for fostering good relationships
with others and the ability to overcome prejudice and fear are essential
ingredients for promoting the culture of encounter, in which we are not only
prepared to give, but also to receive from others. Hospitality, in fact,
grows from both giving and receiving.” (Pope Francis)
Hundreds gather on Sandymount strand, Dublin last year to spell out 'Refugees Welcome' #solidarity
