The forgotten and ignored members of the Church

In Luke 10 we see the beautiful story of the Good Samaritan. We all are likely familar with the story. It's the story of a Jewish man beaten, robbed, and left to die on a road leading to Jericho.

Interestingly, we see the key players that reflect attitudes of that day. They also are a reflection of the state of the Church right now. 

A Jewish priest - a man that is supposed to point others to God and show care and compassion for all of mankind - goes to the opposite side of the road to avoid the man in need. 

The Levite - another man that spends most of his time in the temple and proclaming to worship God and know God - walks around the man as if he isn't even there. 

Who stops to help the man that is dying? A Samaritan. 

Samaritans typically resented and had no use for Jews. They were antagonistic, hateful, and despised Jews. But this Samaritan doesn't see a Jew. This Samaritan sees a human in need of help, compassion and love. This Samaritan looks past the titles or group this man belonged to and saw only a man in need. 

It sickens me today that our Church has lost that vision to be the hands and feet of Jesus to every individual. Let's imagine for a moment that the beaten and robbed traveler happened to have been an I.C.E. agent in the United States right now. 

Our bishops and priests hide away from showing care and compassion to I.C.E. agents. They refuse to see them as humans. They even refuse to acknowledge that some are Catholic. Yet, we are told that if those in our parish are illegal immigrants in fear of I.C.E. that they are given dispensations for Mass attendance. We are told that the news media cannot even come and film beautiful events such as Midnight Mass because of the "fear" of others that might want to attend.

We ask bishops to include a prayer for the protection of I.C.E. agents, just as they do for military, in the intercessory prayers but are denied. 

Our bishops and priest go out of their way to avoid the I.C.E. agent in need of the light and love of Christ by the Church. When our Church leaders fail to do their job in loving, praying for, caring, and having compassion for others -  no matter their race, job title, or faith - they're no better than the Levite and the Jewish priest that walked around the man dying on the road. 

Praying for others is considered a spiritual work of mercy. Prayer is also an act of love. Yet, we have bishops and priests in our Church in the United States, led by many archbishops, that are determined to not show love or acknowledgement of I.C.E. agents. Failure to do this is also failure to care for your flock because many of these agents are Catholic. They're Catholics that feel unwelcomed and unloved in their own Church.

We are told to "love thy neighbor". Jesus defines "our neighbor" as anyone that is need. We can't be the light of the world for Jesus when we only reserve the light for those we like. We can't be the salt of the earth when we only season the dishes we agree with and support. 

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus tells us "but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

If you support I.C.E. then pray for them.

If you do not support I.C.E. then pray for them.

If you disagree with the actions of I.C.E. then pray for their leaders.

If you agree with the actions of I.C.E. then pray for their leaders.

The bishops and priests may have forgotten that we are called to pray for and love everyone - friends and enemies. If they see I.C.E. agents as enemies then they are all the more called to pray for them. A refusal to pray for any individual or group of individuals is nothing but the whisperings of Satan in the ears of those that are willing to listen.

To the agents of I.C.E. and Homeland Security, there are those of us that will pray for you and it matters not if we agree or disagree with you. You are human. You are loved. You have dignity and worth. Jesus sees you. Jesus died for you. Jesus loves you and is always with you. As Christians, we should all be praying for you (even to those that disagree) because that is what we are called to do.

As Christians, we should all welcome you inside the doors to the House of God to worship and pray to the Lord. 

As Christians, we should be the first to stop and tend to your needs like the Good Samaritan, rather than running in the opposite direction like the priest and Levite.

To the Cathoilc agents of I.C.E. and Homeland Security, you may feel as if your Church has turned against you and you are forgotten or ignored. The Church is nothing without Jesus and Jesus always sees, always cares, and never forgets. 

To the pope, archbishops, bishops and priests in the Church - I challenge you, no, I dare you, to wake up and live the truth of Christ boldly for everyone rather than your own driving political opinions and agendas. 

When someone, anyone, is left out of your prayers and care, then you are failing your flock and you are failing the Lord. 

I will also pray for you and I will pray that your priest and Levite hardened heart would turn as gentle and compassionate as the Good Samaritan on those that you look down upon with disdain. 

Just remember - dear priest and bishop - Jesus sees and He never forgets.