Being Catholic and Thoughts on Immigration

Today, I posted a comment on Facebook regarding a link about the Catholic position on the immigration issue (http://blog.archny.org/?p=652). As many of you may already know, I have long held the opinion that "illegals" should be immediately removed from our Country and that we should have a tougher screening process that included fortifying the borders, etc., etc. I was anti-immigrant without following the "rules" per sae. Oddly funny considering how I came to be in this Country, myself.

A quick history for those of you unaware:

I am of Hungarian heritage. My father and mother found out I was going to be born while living as teens in Hungary, then under Communist rule. My mother decided that she did not want her child to be raised in this environment. While my father initially recommended abortion, he eventually realized he wanted the same thing and together, they agreed to leave the country.

Now, leaving Hungary was forbidden without a temporary visa and certainly not allowed when a couple left in such a way. They always had to ensure that they had "incentive" for you to return. Leaving together would not have been allowed. They had to decide to leave without evening telling their parents, in order to protect them from the KGB that would inevitably end up at their doors. They snuck across the border in a small town during a festival where they escaped into the woods. Eventually, making their way to the Italian border. Had they been caught up to that point, they would have been shot on sight (my mother was 3 months pregnant with me at the time).

While crossing into Italy, they were caught by guards and picked up with a group of others. They feared the worst and thought for certain they were being turned in. Alas, they realized they were being transferred into a refugee camp in a town called, "Latina" just outside Rome. Hope was restored and their plight was not without success. Sadly, it would be months before they could contact anyone to let them know where they were and it broke my father's mother's heart into pieces. She never forgave my mother.

Eventually, I was born and we lived in the refugee camp until I was six (6) months old. At that time, we were accepted into the United States because we were coming from a country that was listed as one that oppressed its people, greatly. Therefore, our approval was much faster than those coming from other countries.

We came to the United States and my family continued to succeed - working from the ground up - and built a life that eventually led me to my husband and my life here in Oklahoma. I have been blessed by the opportunities afforded to me in this country and am grateful that Hungary was "on that list" which allowed us to come here so easily. Not all countries (such as Mexico) are afforded this same courtesy, however, and often are on "waiting lists" for ten (10), fifteen (15) and even twenty (20) years waiting for visas. Can you imagine having to wait for that long to enter a country where you knew you could help your family to survive???

Now, I continue with what I wrote on Facebook today and the view that has opened my eyes to the suffering and plight of others:

Recently (this year), I've been able to spend MUCH more time at Catholic Charities. As a result, God has opened my eyes to the truth of human dignity. When I realized that I was, in fact, going against God's Will and Christ's teachings, I was humbled and also, determined to change my heart, views as well as my outspoken opinion on the matter. Today, I have been given just that kind of opportunity.

You can see the link on my Wall at Facebook or, click on the link I provided at the top of this post, but below I am also providing to you the comment that I shared along with the link. Peace be with you.

MY COMMENT:

I used to feel very strongly about the immigration issue and thought that we should send them all back and secure the borders and make tougher laws, etc., etc., regardless of what led them here (after all, I am a "rules" follower).

God is amazing in the way He can work on your heart - even those hardened towards particular issues. I've spent a lot of time volunteering at Catholic Charities this year and it's opened my eyes to the wrong I was committing in my heart by thinking this way. Essentially, I was going against our very Catholic beliefs because I WAS DECIDING who was "deserving" of dignity. Who am I to decide such a thing? Can I say to those people that they deserve less because "Oh well, it sucks that you were born in a corrupt country with no hope of properly providing for your family." When I realized I could NEVER say this to another human being, I realized the error of my ways.

Sure, there are criminals that take advantage, there will ALWAYS be those that do. We cannot base our laws upon the few that will corrupt it and go against it anyway. If we are to do that and succumb to that way of thinking, then how can we stand against abortion? After all, isn't one of the arguments that there will be those who perform back-alley abortions if the law is passed against abortion?

We are called by Christ to extend the hand of mercy to all of His people. We should allow those who legitimately want to be here to work and provide and participate to do so. If we are so worried about crime, then simply invoke a better criminal check process. Don't make these poor and desperate people wait years for visas when they need help NOW. ... No, we need the system to embrace its founding principles...that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL...What ever happened to "Bring us your tired, your poor..." that was one of the reasons our Great Nation grew to such heights of success? What happened to caring for those whom the world had rejected?

[This last paragraph - beginning with "As for basing our support..." - was in response to someone who literally chose his support for the border law based solely upon the fact that he did not like the way this particular priest handled the abuse scandal, which is what led to my response here.]

As for basing our support of something upon a single man and NOT upon the teachings of Christ, well, the error there is clear. If we place our faith into the hands of a mere mortal man, then we will, indeed, be failed time and time again. However, if we realize that our faith is to be placed into Christ's hands, then we will always be choosing the right path.

Peace be with you.

I hope that my words may cause you to pause and think upon these things...to even pray upon these things. Let us not turn our backs on anyone in need. It is not for us to judge their circumstances, but rather, for us to help all in the name of Christ.

Glory be to Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Exhausted?

If I want to be perfectly honest, there are days when following my faith and the "right path" are, simply put, exhausting. Don't you agree? I mean, we are called by our Lord and Savior to preach the Gospel daily...using words only if necessary. That's a pretty tall order.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by it all? Are there ever those little doubts that creep into your mind? That little voice that throws out random questions about the direction in which you are walking? Was it meant to be this difficult to walk with God? If I'm doing what is right, what is just, should it be so darn hard to follow through sometimes? Are these thoughts and feelings normal or is my faith weak and on shakey ground? Am I wrong? Is all of this for naught?

Wow! That's a lot to think about, right? Just reading those questions can be somewhat exhausting by itself. Not to mention the questions that come flying at us from all directions. The work of our Lord is pretty tiring, indeed.

So, what are the answers? How do we go on? How are we sure our path is correct and true?

The answer could be made to be extremely complicated, but after all is said and done...after all of the various quotes that can be incited and various facts put out there...it all comes down to one thing...the Apostles new this, as did all the devoted servants of Christ that followed them...one word...

FAITH

This is the one thing we must, always, hold onto. Especially in our darkest hours. When we feel so battered down that there seems no more strength left in us to continue, we must remember our faith. God never abandons us, regardless of how lost or separated we may feel from time-to-time. There are tests that come our way, but there are also challenges put to us by the evil one, as well. In the face of all these things, it is our faith that must carry us through.

Faith is the difference between having a moment of being tired and feeling weak and allowing that moment to infect you completely so that you actually give up. Faith is the difference between having a doubt about something and realizing a doubt is all it was and that you must continue onward. Faith is the difference between knowing that you tried and leaving the rest to prayer and allowing being beaten down on something to cause you to further stumble in your walk with God. It is faith that carries us through the dark times and also, the very thing that helps us to fully experience the joyous times.

As humans, we are prone to failure. We are prone to sin and temptation. We are vulnerable to seeds of doubt that are planted all around us. This constant attack is exhausting and to endure it, you must remain faithful. Giving up and/or giving in may give you temporary relief, but will only cause you deeper harm and angst later as you attempt to walk through the fires without the guidance and Grace of our Lord. Hold true to your faith and you will prevail. Not always in the way you think you should, but nonetheless, you will prevail in the eyes of God. That is the most important thing and it is imperative that we not forget it.

For example...if one starts to doubt whether or not abortion is truly against God because, after all, the Bible does not specifically "call out" abortion as sinful, then I recommend you think of it in these terms (as simple and cliche as it may sound to you, now):

If you were pregnant and went to Jesus to ask Him to allow you to have an abortion, what do you believe He would say to you? Do you believe He will ask you about the circumstances of the pregnancy? Do you think He'll want to know if you are ready for a child or if you're too young to be a mother? Or, do you think His thoughts will turn to the babe inside your womb and the life already growing from within?

I think if you review those words and consider Christ in that decision, you'll undoubtedly have the answer to your question. Christ will never condone murder - especially of an innocent child. Christ came to save us - God knew us even before we were born.

It's easy to get off track by the people who use manipulation of words and phrases to stir doubt amongst the faithful. Did you not think that satan had the ability and skill to seed doubt inside us? He is, after all, the most skilled liar ever to have existed. Why we don't acknowledge his immense powers over deception is confusing to me. We should be ever vigilant and expect his attacks at all turns. He will never rest - he waits, patiently, for his way in and is at the ready the moment we present it to him.

Yes, I realize it is tiring to walk with God. He expects quite a bit from us on a daily basis. It is not by faith alone that we will win, but it is our faith that will give us the strength to follow through on all that He asks of us. Strengthen your faith as much as you can and extend the Hands of Christ to all you encounter. Whether friend or foe, we are called to be compassionate and just. We must be forgiving, but also, prepared to shed light onto darkness wherever we come across it. Having faith and walking with Christ is something that people should be able to discern without our having to tell them about it. Our actions and strength of faith whether good times or bad should always point to Christ.

If you are weary, take comfort in the faithful that surround you. It is alright to acknowledge your weakness and ask for help. Prayer is amazing. Pray for God's strength and help. Pray He sends angels to help lift you up. Talk with your friends in Christ and ask for their prayers, too. Ask the saints to pray for you, also. Our community is enormous and we have endless resources available to us. Never give up hope and never be afraid to say...I need your help!

God will never abandon you. He is there with us, always.

Peace be with you.