The Body and Blood of Christ are not simply nourishment that we receive and then carry on with our lives, indifferent to the evils of war and persecution that plague our cities and the world. We are tasked with transforming our society into a reflection of the true face and heart of Jesus, where all people feel loved and valued as human beings and children of God. Eucharistic adoration and processions will only be meaningful if they resonate deeply within the hearts and minds of individuals, motivating them to advocate for justice and peace in our world.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, articulates this important role of the “Body of Christ,” the Church, in a recent official statement on behalf of the U.S. Bishops. He states:
“When he spoke to the young people of Chicago this past weekend, Pope Leo XIV reminded us that at the heart of the Christian faith is an invitation to share in the communion of life and love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the first community and based completely on love. The Holy Father also challenged us to be a sign of hope by making the world a better place.
Considering Pope Leo’s message, no one can turn a deaf ear to the palpable cries of anxiety and fear heard in communities throughout the country in the wake of a surge in immigration enforcement actions.
Law enforcement actions aimed at preserving order and ensuring community security are necessary for the common good. However, the current efforts go well beyond those with criminal histories. In the context of a gravely deficient immigration system, the mass arrest and removal of our neighbors, friends and family members on the basis of immigration status alone, particularly in ways that are arbitrary or without due process, represent a profound social crisis before which no person of good will can remain silent. The situation is far from the communion of life and love to which this nation of immigrants should strive.
The many actions of protest throughout the country reflect the moral sentiments of many Americans that enforcement alone cannot be the solution to addressing our nation’s immigration challenges. While protest and dissent can be a legitimate expression of democratic participation, violence is never acceptable. At the same time, it is good to remember Pope Francis’ admonition that ‘without equal opportunities the different forms of aggression and conflict will find a fertile terrain for growth and eventually explode’ (Evangelii gaudium, 59).
The chronic lack of opportunities for legal status for our immigrant brothers and sisters, together with the growing denial of due process to them, is injurious to human dignity and is a considerable factor in the breakdown of the rule of law. Likewise, unfounded accusations against Catholic service providers, who every day endeavor to provide critical support and care to the most vulnerable, contribute to societal tensions and a growing climate of fear.”
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ this weekend, let our hearts be inspired, as the Body of Christ, to advocate for justice and peace in our cities and among all immigrants. Let us ask God to soften the hearts of our nation’s leaders, urging them to treat all immigrants—both documented and undocumented—with justice and respect for their inherent human dignity.
Your loving pastor,
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California
