Jesus Was A Migrant, by Jorge Deidre Cornell. Orbis, 2014.
Cornell draws heavily on Scripture, listing many people in both Testaments, who lived lives of migrancy. She points especially to Jesus and notes His parents could not find a place for His birth, and
were often on the road protecting Him from those who wanted to get rid of Him.
He spent time away from Nazareth much of His short life and had a heart for others who also were migrants.
America is a land of migrants, of opportunities and many challenges. Often times migrants are not received with
love and may even be told to "go back where you came from." Yet countless migrants bring with them talents and skills so very much needed in this country. Within the many recent wars, the world has seen multitudes of people who are forced to migrate, and it offers opportunities to grant asylum to many of the refugees who have to leave their home countries.
The author presents
reflections on the migrants' lives and shows how that fits into the way of the Christian. Much suffering accompanies the migrants' journeys but this can become a source of blessings in abundance. Migrancy gives to the receiving country countless opportunities to show hospitality and to welcome the foreigners. Migrancy gives the foreigners chances to accept a welcoming in a strange country and to accept charity in many forms.
Some of the chapters' titles are: migrants matter, of meals and journeys, an advent lullaby, socks for Juan, one migrant's psalm, welcome holy family, at Ellis island, family album, and you welcomed Me.
Chapter twelve gives details for the celebration of Las Posadas, a week-long marking of the search of Mary and Joseph for a place for the birth of Jesus.
The chapter gives the details of the celebrating and invites present day Christians to make this a part of their pre-Christmas prayerful preparation .
Francis came from a leading family in Andalusia, Spain. Perhaps it was his popularity as a student that enabled Francis in his teens to stop two duelists. He entered the Friars Minor in 1570, and after ordination enthusiastically sacrificed himself for others. His care for the sick during an epidemic drew so much admiration that he became embarrassed and asked to be sent to the African missions. Instead he was sent to South America in 1589.
While working in what is now Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, Francis quickly learned the local languages and was well received by the indigenous peoples. His visits to the sick often included playing a song on his violin.
Around 1601 he was called to Lima, Peru, where he tried to recall the Spanish colonists to their
baptismal integrity. Francis also worked to defend the indigenous peoples from oppression. He died in Lima and was canonized in 1726.
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Weekend Readings
Saturday IS 6:1-8 PS 93:1-2, 5 MT
10:24-33
Sunday IS 55:10-11 PS 65:10-14 ROM 8:18-23 MT
13:1-23
Topics being discussed at this time include: Global warming - Religion and Culture forum. The First Great Commandment - Christian Spirituality Issues forum.
Joe grew up in a small town, then moved away to attend college and law school. He decided to come back to the small town because he could be a big man in this small town. He really wanted to impress everyone.
He opened his new law office, but business was very slow at first. One day, he saw a man coming up the
sidewalk. He decided to make a big impression on this new client when he arrived.
As the man came to the door, Joe picked up the phone. He motioned the man in, all the while talking...
"No. Absolutely not. You tell those clowns in New York that I won't settle this case for less than one million..."
"Yes. The Appeals Court has agreed to
hear that case next week. I'll be handling the primary argument and the other members of my team will provide support..."
"Okay. Tell the DA that I'll meet with him next week to discuss the details..."
This sort of thing went on for almost 5 minutes. All the while the man sat patiently as Joe rattled instructions.
Finally, Joe put down the phone and
turned to the man.
"I'm sorry for the delay, but as you can see, I'm very busy. What can I do for you?"
The man replied "I'm from the phone company...I came to hook up your phone."
