How you can help America's Afghanistan allies
Sponsored
Catholic365 is sponsored by
Road to Purity
In Luke 10 we see the beautiful story of the Good Samaritan. We all are likely familar with the story. It's the story of a Jewish man beaten, robbed, and left to die on a road leading to Jericho.
Interestingly, we see the key players that reflect attitudes of that day. They also are a reflection of the state of the Church right now.
A Jewish priest - a man that is supposed to point others to God and show care and compassion for all of mankind - goes to the opposite side of the road to avoid the man in need.
The Levite - another man that spends most of his time in the temple and proclaming to worship God and know God - walks around the man as if he isn't even there.
Who stops to help the man that is dying? A Samaritan.
Samaritans typically resented and had no use for Jews. They were antagonistic, hateful, and despised Jews. But this Samaritan doesn't see a Jew. This Samaritan sees a human in need of help, compassion and love. This Samaritan looks past the titles or group this man belonged to and saw only a man in need.
It sickens me today that our Church has lost that vision to be the hands and feet of Jesus to every individual. Let's imagine for a moment that the beaten and robbed traveler happened to have been an I.C.E. agent in the United States right now.
Our bishops and priests hide away from showing care and compassion to I.C.E. agents. They refuse to see them as humans. They even refuse to acknowledge that some are Catholic. Yet, we are told that if those in our parish are illegal immigrants in fear of I.C.E. that they are given dispensations for Mass attendance. We are told that the news media cannot even come and film beautiful events such as Midnight Mass because of the "fear" of others that might want to attend.
We ask bishops to include a prayer for the protection of I.C.E. agents, just as they do for military, in the intercessory prayers but are denied.
Our bishops and priest go out of their way to avoid the I.C.E. agent in need of the light and love of Christ by the Church. When our Church leaders fail to do their job in loving, praying for, caring, and having compassion for others - no matter their race, job title, or faith - they're no better than the Levite and the Jewish priest that walked around the man dying on the road.
Praying for others is considered a spiritual work of mercy. Prayer is also an act of love. Yet, we have bishops and priests in our Church in the United States, led by many archbishops, that are determined to not show love or acknowledgement of I.C.E. agents. Failure to do this is also failure to care for your flock because many of these agents are Catholic. They're Catholics that feel unwelcomed and unloved in their own Church.
We are told to "love thy neighbor". Jesus defines "our neighbor" as anyone that is need. We can't be the light of the world for Jesus when we only reserve the light for those we like. We can't be the salt of the earth when we only season the dishes we agree with and support.
In Matthew 5:44, Jesus tells us "but I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
If you support I.C.E. then pray for them.
If you do not support I.C.E. then pray for them.
If you disagree with the actions of I.C.E. then pray for their leaders.
If you agree with the actions of I.C.E. then pray for their leaders.
The bishops and priests may have forgotten that we are called to pray for and love everyone - friends and enemies. If they see I.C.E. agents as enemies then they are all the more called to pray for them. A refusal to pray for any individual or group of individuals is nothing but the whisperings of Satan in the ears of those that are willing to listen.
To the agents of I.C.E. and Homeland Security, there are those of us that will pray for you and it matters not if we agree or disagree with you. You are human. You are loved. You have dignity and worth. Jesus sees you. Jesus died for you. Jesus loves you and is always with you. As Christians, we should all be praying for you (even to those that disagree) because that is what we are called to do.
As Christians, we should all welcome you inside the doors to the House of God to worship and pray to the Lord.
As Christians, we should be the first to stop and tend to your needs like the Good Samaritan, rather than running in the opposite direction like the priest and Levite.
To the Cathoilc agents of I.C.E. and Homeland Security, you may feel as if your Church has turned against you and you are forgotten or ignored. The Church is nothing without Jesus and Jesus always sees, always cares, and never forgets.
To the pope, archbishops, bishops and priests in the Church - I challenge you, no, I dare you, to wake up and live the truth of Christ boldly for everyone rather than your own driving political opinions and agendas.
When someone, anyone, is left out of your prayers and care, then you are failing your flock and you are failing the Lord.
I will also pray for you and I will pray that your priest and Levite hardened heart would turn as gentle and compassionate as the Good Samaritan on those that you look down upon with disdain.
Just remember - dear priest and bishop - Jesus sees and He never forgets.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
