[stephenkhoo]

MIGRANTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVANGELIZATION
SCRIPTURE READINGS: AMOS 6:1.4-7; 1 TIMOTHY 6:11-16; LUKE 16:19-31

We live in an age of globalization, of mass media and mass communication. As a result, travelling and opportunities for job and emigration have been made easier. Often, migrants seek a better future and life elsewhere because of poverty, difficult living conditions, violence and war. Leaving one’s homeland is certainly fraught with pain and suffering because it means being separated from loved ones, possessions and security. Besides these difficulties, many, especially women and children, are exploited in their desperation for better opportunities. They often fall prey to human trafficking, child labour and prostitution.

But the greatest pain of migrants perhaps is the lack of acceptance from their host community. They are seen as a threat to the peace of the country and often perceived to be taking away the jobs of the citizens as they are often more hardworking and resourceful. There is also jealousy and resentment. There is fear, misunderstanding and suspicion. They become targets of anger and are often blamed for many social ills, such as crime, unemployment and overcrowding. Then there is the fear of sectarianism, racial violence and religious conflicts. As a result, they do not often find solidarity or help from their host community.

What should the response of Christians be towards migrants in their countries? The Church cannot stay silent on such injustices and outrage of human dignity. Indeed, the first reading and the gospel warn those of us are who are living comfortably and are oblivious to the sufferings of the poor. “Woe to those ensconced so snugly in Zion and to those who feel so safe on the mountain of Samaria. Lying on ivory beds and sprawling on their divans, they dine on lambs from the flock, and stall-fattened veal; they bawl to the sound of the harp, they invent new instruments of music like David, they drink wine by the bowlful, and use the finest oil for anointing themselves, but about the ruin of Joseph they do not care at all.”

Do we care for the ruin of Joseph, as the prophet asks of us? What is this ruin of Joseph if not the house of Israel? Who belong to the house of Israel? Today, all Christians belong to the House of Israel. Even those who are outside the faith, are children of God. We are called to care for them too. Indeed, the Church sees in the migrants the face of Christ, for He said, “I was a stranger and you made me welcome … whatsoever you did to the least of these my brothers, you did it unto me.” (Mt 25:35,40). In the same vein, St Paul also wrote to the Colossians, “There is no room for distinction between Greek and Jew, between the circumcised and the uncircumcised, or between barbarian and Scythian, slave and free man” (Col 3:11).

In the light of the gospel, we cannot but be challenged to respond to the cries of migrants and to assist them in fighting against the evils of exploitation. In the foreigner, who is our brother and sister, we are called to see the face of Christ. After all, Christ too was a migrant once when He fled to Egypt. We would have done no better than the rich man in the gospel or the Israelites if we treat migrants without respect and hospitality, especially when they are simply looking for a better place to live. It would be a betrayal of the Lord to reject them, for in rejecting them, we too reject Him. By allowing the culture of comfort, convenience and self-pleasure to control us, we become insensitive to the needs of others. This globalization of indifference is contrary to the gospel. Migration is primarily a call to charity. The resources we have are meant to be shared. They do not belong to us. We are stewards of God’s gift of creation to all. We cannot, like the rich man, be selfish and self-centered, indifferent to the suffering of Christ in humanity.

How can this be done? Firstly, as Church, we must not forget their spiritual needs. Even whilst we provide them with social assistance, we must not neglect the religious dimension of migrants. Man does not live on bread alone. Happiness is not just having a good job, material security notwithstanding. But we need spiritual, emotional and affective support. Only God can fulfill our hearts’ desire and help us to be contented with what we have, never envious of others and to see that everything we have is for the service of others and at the service of love.

Secondly, we must help them to become part of the Christian community. We must integrate them in the parish and make them feel a part of the family. If migrants do not feel a sense of welcome, they can create factions, ghettos and alienate themselves from the bigger community. The Church can help them to integrate by being their first entry point into the community and society. It is in the parishes that migrants feel welcomed, loved and accepted. Through the support and assistance of the Christian community, they can then connect with the rest of society and the community.

Such a spirit of hospitality requires a spirit of charity and magnanimity. Love for migrants must be expressed not only in tolerance but respect for the other’s culture and identity. This will require patience, commitment and solidarity. We need to be a welcoming community of faith and love that appreciates all cultures and values that are in line with the gospel. Through dialogue and mutual acceptance, we will be able to recognize the gifts that migrants bring with them to our communities.

Indeed, integration remains the biggest challenge, bearing in mind that integration is not assimilation. Integration does not mean that migrants must adapt themselves to the local culture to the extent of surrendering their own legitimate roots. Integration calls for a proper balance between respect for their own identity and recognition of the unique culture and identity of others. Migrants are not to suppress or to forget their own cultural identity. Rather, integration means welcoming each other and ones cultures, seeing each as providing richness and colour to the host culture.

Of course, migrants too have their part to play. Although they have a right to expect hospitality they also have the responsibility to seek greater integration. It is important that migrants take the necessary steps towards social inclusion. They need to study the national language, appreciate the culture and abide by the laws of the host country. We must realize that the sharing of resources work both ways. We must not think that we are the ones giving in to the migrants. They too also contribute to the growth of the economy and the infrastructure of the country. They enrich our lives and culture with theirs as well. They also strengthen our Church by their involvement and devotion. Indeed, true integration occurs where interaction between migrants and the local population is not limited to social and economic relations, but includes culture and faith. Both parties, however, should be willing to dialogue, which goes beyond tolerance and presupposes a reciprocal relationship.

Thirdly, we must see immigrants as a great opportunity for the work of the New Evangelization. Many of our migrants have come from countries with a culture steeped in faith. We have much to learn from them and their enthusiasm for the gospel. Their faith could rub on to ours. We need to recognize and affirm the gifts especially of faith, spirituality, devotion and strong sense of family and community that these immigrants bring with them. By learning from them, they can help us to revitalize our own faith community. Of course, our faith and culture can inspire them too. They can imbibe in the ways we worship God and in the ways we build Christian community. Integration involves appreciating unity in diversity in faith expressions. What is important is that we must hold on to the essentials that bind us together as a Christian community, namely, our common faith in the Risen Lord, in the Body of Christ, the Church, love for the Word and the Eucharist, including devotion to our Blessed Mother and the saints. Most of all, we have a shared commitment and desire to build God’s kingdom on earth and contribute to the good of our people.

Fourthly, migrants give us the opportunity to evangelize as well. Together with the migrant Catholics, we must join hands and resources to reach out to those not yet baptized. We must see them as an opportunity for evangelization and outreach. The most powerful form of evangelization is the demonstration of Christian charity, besides preaching. The Church is called to reveal to the world that the love of God is real. Migrants expect the Church to offer them faith, hope, love and comfort. The way we receive migrants is a concrete expression of the love of God. Through our love and acceptance, they will come to know that our Lord is truly the God of love. We are called to make the love of God known.

In this way, we will not suffer the judgement rendered to the rich man. To be in communion with God, we must be in communion with all our brothers and sisters. That is why the Church and heaven are seen as a communion of saints. Let us pray that the love and friendship established with migrants will draw us closer through mutual understanding and appreciation of different cultures so that together we can serve and glorify the Lord and His people.