World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This Sunday, the Church invites us to reflect deeply on the plight of migrants and refugees as we mark the World Day dedicated to them. The Word of God speaks powerfully to this reality. In the first reading from the prophet Amos (6:1, 4-7), we hear a stern warning to those who live comfortably, unconcerned about the suffering of others. Amos denounces complacency and self-indulgence, reminding us that indifference to the poor and displaced leads us away from God’s justice.
The Gospel from Luke (16:19-31) tells the well-known parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man feasts every day, oblivious to the poor man lying at his gate, longing even for scraps. After death, the situation is reversed—Lazarus finds comfort in God’s presence, while the rich man is left in torment. Jesus’ words are not merely about the afterlife but are a wake-up call for us here and now. How often do we, too, fail to notice those “lying at our gates”—the migrants and refugees who come into our communities seeking dignity, welcome, and peace?
As a parish community, we are called to open our eyes and hearts. The struggles of migrants and refugees are not distant issues but part of our Christian responsibility. The Lord asks us not only to avoid indifference but to actively practice compassion. Small gestures—a word of welcome, assistance in integration, prayer for families torn apart—become signs of God’s Kingdom among us.
On this World Day of Migrants and Refugees, let us commit ourselves to be a parish that embodies the mercy of Christ. May our table never be so full that there is no place for another. May we see in the face of every migrant and refugee the suffering Christ who says, “Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.”
Together, let us build a community where no one feels abandoned or forgotten, but where every person finds a home.
Wish you all a blessed Sunday!
