杏MAP导航

By Seàn-Patrick Lovett

There was something even more international than usual about the celebration in St Peter鈥檚 Basilica this Sunday.

The sounds were those of the youthful and multilingual voices of the Hope choirs. The colors were those of the flags and multicultural costumes of the 49 nations represented.

Over 70 countries were present in the person of their Ambassador to the Vatican. And some 460 priests from all over the world concelebrated with the Holy Father.

Invitation and welcome

杏MAP导航 Francis said he wanted to celebrate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees with a Mass of invitation and welcome. He based his reflections during the on the episode in St John鈥檚 Gospel where the disciples ask Jesus where He lives, and He responds: 鈥淐ome and see.鈥�

This reply is addressed to us today, said the 杏MAP导航: 鈥淚t is an invitation to overcome our fears so as to encounter the other, to welcome, to know, and to acknowledge him or her鈥�.

Protect, promote and integrate

But authentic encounter doesn鈥檛 end with welcome. 杏MAP导航 Francis reminded us of the three actions he spelled out in his : 鈥渢o protect, promote and integrate鈥�.

While new arrivals need to 鈥渒now and respect the laws, culture and traditions of the countries that take them in鈥�, local communities need to understand 鈥渢he hopes and potential of the newly arrived, as well as their fears and vulnerabilities鈥�.

Fear of encounter

It is not easy to enter into another culture, said the 杏MAP导航, to understand the thoughts and experiences of people who are so different from us.

鈥淟ocal communities are sometimes afraid the newly arrived will disturb the established order鈥�and the newly arrived are afraid of confrontation, judgement, discrimination, and failure鈥�.

Being afraid is not a sin

鈥淗aving doubts and fears is not a sin鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淭he sin is to allow these fears to determine our responses, to limit our choices, to compromise respect and generosity, to feed hostility and rejection鈥�.

The sin, he continued, 鈥渋s to refuse to encounter the other鈥�. Because every encounter is 鈥渁 privileged opportunity to encounter the Lord鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded by expressing the hope that 鈥渨e may all learn to love the other, the stranger, as ourselves鈥�.