Hello, beloved community of Saint Francis Parish and Outreach! As we gather this week, whether in the sanctuary, over coffee, or in the quiet corners of our lives, let’s take a moment to reflect together. I want to invite you into a conversation, a gentle, honest one, about what our sacred scriptures are calling us toward, especially in these turbulent times when the world so often seems divided, anxious, and in need of compassion.

Welcoming the Journey

Here at Saint Francis, our hearts are open to those searching for dignity, safety, and belonging. Whether you’ve been here decades or just arrived, whether your roots run deep or you’re new to town, know that you are part of this journey. This week, as we listen to Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14a, and Matthew 24:37-44, I invite you to consider how these words speak into our lives as we walk alongside immigrants and courageously stand against the rising tides of injustice and exclusion. Let’s reflect on how faith can be a lantern in the night, guiding us with compassion and hope.

Scripture Reflections: Insights and Invitations

Isaiah 2:1-5 – The Dream of Peaceful Pilgrimage

In Isaiah’s vision, all nations stream toward the mountain of the Lord, yearning to learn God’s ways and walk in divine paths. Swords are hammered into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, every instrument of violence transformed into a tool for nurturing life. Isaiah’s words stand as a dream for our world: peoples walking side by side, not as rivals but as kin, living in peace.

How beautifully this echoes our calling today! We, too, are invited into the gentle work of “walking in the light of the Lord” walking with those who journey from distant lands, war, or poverty, seeking a new home and a safe future for their families. Isaiah’s vision is a radical welcome. It’s a reminder that faith is not just about personal piety but communal transformation, about forging peace where there is division and forging friendship where there is fear.

Romans 13:11-14a – Wake Up, Put on Christ

Paul’s letter to the Romans calls us to wake from sleep, for “the night is far gone, the day is near.” Paul urges us to cast aside the works of darkness and to clothe ourselves with the light of Christ. This is not just a private spiritual practice, it’s a way of life that radiates out into how we treat others, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.

Putting on Christ means seeing the immigrant, the stranger, and the refugee with Christ’s eyes: eyes of love, not suspicion; arms that open, not close. Paul’s urgency is clear, the time for compassion and justice is now, not later. Our call is to live not just for ourselves but for the flourishing of all.

Matthew 24:37-44 – Stay Awake, Be Ready

Jesus’ words in Matthew offer a sobering warning: “Keep awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” He describes ordinary people, going about ordinary lives, unaware of the critical moment at hand. The point isn’t to live in fear, but in readiness, in a spirit of alertness to God’s movement, especially in unexpected places and people.

How easy it is to be lulled into comfort, to close our doors and hearts, to look away from those who suffer injustice. Jesus calls us to stay awake, to respond with courage and hospitality when our neighbors need us most.

Walking with Immigrants: Scripture and Solidarity

So, what does it mean for us, as a parish community, to “walk in the light” alongside immigrants and refugees? It means first listening. Listening to stories of hope and hardship, honoring the courage it takes to leave everything behind in search of safety and opportunity. It means seeing Christ in our neighbors, learning from them, and creating space for all to belong.

But solidarity goes further. It means challenging systems that contribute to injustice, standing up when immigrants and refugees are threatened by exclusion, scapegoating, or violence. It means remembering that our spiritual ancestors were migrants and sojourners, and that the call to hospitality is woven deep into our faith.

When we welcome immigrants, we do not lose; we are enriched, stretched, and transformed. Our parish becomes more like Isaiah’s vision: a gathering of many peoples, learning to live together in peace.

Standing Up Against Fascism: Faith-Based Resistance

Fascism is a word that can feel harsh, but it’s important that we name the realities we face. Wherever there is a force, political, social, or cultural, that seeks to divide us from our neighbors, that stokes fear and hatred, that elevates power over compassion, we as people of faith are called to resist.

Our scriptures call us to a higher standard. To “put on Christ” is to reject any ideology that denies human dignity or sows the seeds of division. It’s more than a political stance; it’s a spiritual commitment to love over hate, to courage over fear, to solidarity over silence. We are called, not to withdraw from the world’s pain, but to stand together, to speak out, and to act for justice, even when it costs us comfort.

Practical Steps: Faith in Action

What does all this look like in our daily lives? It doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic. Often, faithfulness is found in small acts of welcome:

Greet the newcomer at Mass or during coffee hour. Invite someone new to share a meal or conversation.
Support parish outreach to immigrant families, donate, volunteer, or help organize a welcoming event.
Advocate for just and compassionate policies. Contact local representatives, sign petitions, or join peaceful community actions.
Educate yourself and others about the realities immigrants face. Share stories that build bridges, not walls.
Pray for courage, that we might stay awake, walk in the light, and put on Christ’s love each day.

None of us can do everything, but all of us can do something. And when we move together, our small actions add up to real change.

Encouragement and Hope for the Journey

Dear friends, the journey of faith is never finished. Each day brings new chances to walk together, to grow in love, and to become God’s people of hope. As we listen again to Isaiah, Paul, and Jesus, may we be awake to God’s call, ready to welcome, ready to resist injustice, ready to “walk in the light of the Lord.”

Let’s keep going, side by side, building a parish that truly reflects the kingdom dream: a community where all are welcome, all are valued, and peace is possible. May God give us courage, compassion, and joy for the journey ahead.

With hope and in solidarity,

Bishop Greer