2025 2 16 – homily – wk 6 OT Sun – yr C – Jer 17 5-8 _ Lk 6 17 20-26 _ political turmoil REV 940 AM on 2-14-25
Focus – Trust God
SLIDE:
Show dollar bill words – “In God we trust”
Many of us put our trust in money. But look at our money and what it says to put our trust in – “In God we trust”
Our first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, tells us the same thing – put our trust in God.
Jeremiah says people who place their trust in humans will be cursed… tough language — what Jeremiah is referring to is reliance on military strength, instruments of war, and economics… these things will not protect you.
He contrasts this by saying those who put their hope in the Lord will be blessed.
Jeremiah also says storms and distress will come to everyone. But the one who puts their hope in God will survive and not only survive but bear good fruit.
In our gospel today, Jesus goes on to say who will be blessed by God.
Jesus shares four beatitudes and four woes. As he often does, Jesus turns our worldly expectations upside down. The first will be last and the last will be first.
SLIDE:
Blessed are
the poor, hungry,
weeping, persecuted
Jesus says that the poor — the hungry, weeping, and persecuted — will be blessed… While the rich, those satisfied, will eventually suffer.
Why? Because God’s values are the reverse of what many people chase after.
Jesus is calling us to what really matters. We are not meant to sit contentedly in our comfort zones and ignore the plight of those in need, the suffering in our midst. We are meant to live out the Gospel values — principles like compassion, dignity, forgiveness, integrity, justice, mercy, peace, sacrifice, and above all, love. We are called to be the hands and feet and voices of Christ.
We are called to bless the poor — the hungry, weeping, and persecuted.
Political Turmoil
A lot has been happening in our nation over the past month. Some are cheering on the political moves of the new administration.
Others are disheartened and angry to see certain areas they perceived as progress getting halted or reversed.
And many — regardless of where they land on the political spectrum — are feeling destabilized by the speed with which actions are being taken, unsure of whether or not they are legal let alone compatible with their beliefs.
It is natural to feel anxious when you feel you have little control over a situation, do not know what is coming next, or don’t have time to gather your thoughts.
For example, if you work for a non-profit or for the federal government, your livelihood or budget for your organization may have been upended recently; you are likely worried for yourself and your colleagues, and the people you serve.
If you are in the LGBTQ+ community or love someone who is, you likely know how afraid and devalued they may be feeling, and it breaks your heart.
If you are an immigrant or care about someone who is, you may know the terror and anguish many good and decent people are experiencing. Even U.S. citizens are afraid of being caught up in a mass arrest and an overnight deportation.
If you are feeling anxiety and fear right now, I want to remind you that St. Thomas sees you and cares about you. Many people have reached out to me and so I believe I need to speak to all parish wide this weekend.
And I also want to remind you that amidst all the uncertainties there is something that has NOT changed, and that is the Gospel.
SLIDE:
Follow
Jesus’ teaching
Catholic Social Teaching
Pope Francis
Our first allegiance is to the teaching of Jesus Christ, a teaching that highlights loving God and loving all others. This is what Catholic Social Teaching is about — love of all. We need to listen to that and to the teaching authority of the Catholic Church – especially Pope Francis and our Bishops.
Keep in mind that Pope Francis speaks for 1.3 billion baptized Catholics and unofficially for a total of 2.6 billion Christians, as well as all people of goodwill.
This week February 10, 2025, Pope Francis addressed a letter to the bishops of the United States, supporting their efforts to uphold fundamental human rights for migrants and refugees. These are NOT political documents, though they address politics, rather these are statements of faith based on the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ.
SLIDE
Jesus, Mary, Joseph
fled to Egypt
as refugees
Pope Francis begins by reminding us that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph fled to Egypt in the middle of the night as refugees to escape the wrath of an ungodly king (Mt 2:13-15) [Pope Francis par 2]
He reminds us that we are to consider norms and public policies in the light of the dignity of the person and his or her fundamental rights, not vice versa.” [Pope Francis par 3]
SLIDE:
Undocumented immigrant
does not equal
criminal
Pope Francis writes “I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations,” and says we are to disagree with any assessment that implies or overtly links the illegal status of some migrants as criminals. [Pope Francis par 4]
Let me add – Jesus fled to Egypt in the middle of the night. Jesus was an undocumented immigrant. Jesus was not a criminal! (repeat)
(pause)
SLIDE:
Countries have right to
orderly & legal migration
At the same time, Pope Francis acknowledges that countries have the right to regulate orderly and legal migration and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes. [Pope Francis par 4]
However, deporting people who have left due to extreme poverty, persecution, or necessity damages the dignity of men, women, and children and places them in a state of vulnerability and defenseless. [Pope Francis par 4]
SLIDE
The will of the strongest
Is not the basis of truth
He writes, “What is built on the basis of force, and not on truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.” [Pope Francis par 5]
SLIDE:
Transcendent dignity of people
Surpasses all legal considerations
Pope Francis declares that the “infinite and transcendent dignity” of all people surpasses all legal considerations that can be made to regulate life and society [Pope Francis par 3] in other words, dignity and rights of people come first before public policies.
He urges all of us in the Catholic Church to live in solidarity with one another to not “give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.” [Pope Francis par 8]
And doing this comes with a blessing!
SLIDE:
God will richly reward
All who protect the weak
And Pope Francis declares that God will richly reward all we do for the protection and defense of those considered less valuable, less important, or less human. [Pope Francis par 8]
There is more to this letter, and a copy of it will be in the bulletin for you to read in full.
For those angry over what’s happening, there is still much we can do. I urge you to channel that into taking action to help others. Get involved with our Office of Social Justice. Just this week St. Thomas delivered a “Welcome to America” pack to a Syrian refugee family of six being settled in Aurora. The OSJ office has delivered five of these thus far.
Additionally a member of our twinning Parish, Saint Nicholas in Aurora, recently spoke to a gathering about the fear sweeping over the Aurora immigrant community. So, this weekend, St. Thomas members will be present at all 6 of the Saint Nicholas masses to distribute “know your rights” information. A teacher in Aurora came up after Mass said the fear and anxiety is in the children’s eyes. We have that information here as well, in the gathering area, if you need it.
And if this topic makes you feel uncomfortable, I challenge you to get to know an immigrant or refugee, hear their story, see why they left everything behind.
Friends, let’s remember where this message today began, with Scripture about caring for the poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted. Migrants and refugees are fleeing war and famine and persecution.
And we also heard Jesus’ declarations about misery, or woe. These warnings are throughout the Bible, including warnings for me. St. Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians, says – I am cursed if I do not preach the Gospel (repeat).
Finally, as we navigate this difficult time, remember the St Thomas charism: All are welcome. Let us engage in peaceful dialogue and look for the common good. Explore with one another how we can live our Christian values in a world that desperately needs them. Do something Jesus would do.
God bless.
Link to letter from Pope Francis: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2025/documents/20250210-lettera-vescovi-usa.html
Link to USCCB statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/executive-actions-will-subject-vulnerable-families-and-children-grave-danger-says-bishop
Link to list of Trump’s executive orders: https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/tracking-trumps-executive-orders-rcna189571
This message was prepared by Fr Peter Infanger and Tammy Winn Bocher.
