A memorial in El Paso, Texas, is seen near the site of the Aug. 3, 2019, Walmart mass shooting during a visit by U.S. bishops and others Sept. 26. The visit to the memorial came during a pastoral encounter by U.S. bishops with migrants at the border. The Sept. 23-27 pastoral visit, sponsored by various offices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other national organizations, aimed to highlight the church’s ministry to migrants, the border conditions and immigration laws affecting them, and their material and spiritual needs. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn)
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelations 22: 5)
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to celebrate the blessings in our lives with family and friends, to talk story and eat plenty “ono kine grinds” and to share that abundance with those in need through parish food pantries or homeless shelter meals. It is also a time to commemorate the very first Thanksgiving when Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe — whose name means “People of First Light” — welcomed immigrants from distant lands.
This image continues today as a symbol of persons coming together to celebrate the hope that we are One Ohana. Unfortunately, associated with the image of that first Thanksgiving lies a deep and dark history that also includes deadly consequences of violence and racism. In reality, peace did not prevail between the New England Mayflower settlers and the Wampanoag tribe. The two became embroiled in a devastating war within a generation after the famous feast.
Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, recently wrote the pastoral letter “Night Will Be No More,” in which he addressed the racist violence of the August mass shooting in his city and the ongoing discrimination of immigrants along the border. Below are some of his inspiring words to help us embrace a thanks-giving spirit to overcome the darkness of deadly differences with the Lord’s light gathering all as One Ohana.
“I know God will never allow the hate that visited our community on Aug. 3 to have the last word. We must recommit ourselves to the hospitality and compassion that characterized our community long before we were attacked, with all the risk and vulnerability which that entails. We must continue to show the rest of the country that love is capable of mending every wound. What can they do but threaten us with Resurrection?
“If there is anyone who feels so alone, so isolated and so tortured that you feel your only way out is to succumb to the darkness of racism and violence and pick up a gun, I say to you today: there is a place for you in our community and our church. Lay aside your weapons of hate. Put away your fear. Here there is a teacher, a sister, a deacon, a priest, a counselor … a bishop, waiting to welcome you home and greet you with love. Tú vales. (You are worthy.)
“I also make a direct appeal to my brothers and sisters in Texas and those in positions of authority to spare Patrick Crusius (the accused El Paso mass shooter) from execution. Justice is certainly required. But the cycle of hate, blood and vengeance on the border must meet its end. While the scales of justice may seem to tilt in favor of the necessity of lethal retribution, God offers us yet another chance to choose life. Choose in a manner worthy of your humanity. In the absence of immigration reform, I also renew my appeal to the President of the United States, to the Members of Congress and to the jurists of our highest Courts. I beg you to listen to the voice of conscience and halt the deportation of all those who are not a danger to our communities, to stop the separation of families, and to end once and for all the turning back of refugees and death at the border.”
Bishop Seitz ends the pastoral letter with a prayer to Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast is Dec. 12.
“O Mary of Guadalupe, our Mother, Consolation of our frail humanity … Ask your beloved Son, dear Mother, to bring the dawn of a new day to drive away the night, a day when sorrow and mourning will flee because they can only threaten us with Resurrection. We place all this in your loving hands to bring to Christ, your Son and our Savior.”
For the full text of “The Night Will Be No More” go to https://www.hopeborder.org.nightwillbenomore-eng.
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
