The Beatitudes are surely not the US
government standard way of proceeding but ours as Catholic Christians. This
life of Gospel values which Jesus presents as a plan for God’s Kingdom is
intrinsically counter-cultural, still is, and always was. We rejoice when there
is a confluence between Jesus’ ideals of care for the poor and justice for the
oppressed and the policies and practices of our nation. When there is not, we
promise always with him to prefer the poor and the needy, to protect their
rights and do all we can to alleviate their suffering.
Indeed, the citizens of the Kingdom of God
are not arrogant but “poor in spirit” for they recognize their fundamental
dependence on God. They mourn over injustice and wickedness committed against
their brothers and sisters and will suffer persecution to eliminate injustice
and evil. They are meek and patient in their own afflictions and not prone
to violent retaliation, for they are merciful, pure of heart and makers of
peace. Their hearts are made pure by their Creator and Savior.
We, the children of immigrants and exiles,
ought never to forget all the blessings we now enjoy in this great
nation, for with all these blessings come also great responsibilities. And
so fittingly we recall the words of Emma Lazarus, who wrote the poem The
New Colossus that is engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty:
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name: Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
