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Gabriella, you asked for a reaction to an article on a blog called Synesis. The blogger (couldn’t find his name) said he was sick and tired of people quoting Scripture out of context to press for a generous immigration policy. He was particularly exercised about people who quote the story of the Good Samaritan to make the point. Then he quoted several Fathers and Doctors of the Church who offered a specific lesson to draw from the text, an allegorical interpretation that did not lead him (the blogger) to see any relevance to caring for immigrants – nor for people in need in general, as far as I could tell. I want to respond carefully – not to him, but to you. I have a lot of respect for you. In 2012, I was shocked when I realized that the leaders of the fight against immigration (or for low&slow immigration) in Maryland were all pro-life leaders. I left teaching to push back against this painful inconsistency. Since the 1980s, I had seen abortion as one excrescence of the eugen...

Once you notice how central hospitality is in Scripture, you see it everywhere. Today’s Gospel reading at Mass is about Jesus visiting Jericho, and meeting Zacchaeus. Jesus asks Zacchaeus to be his host for a meal; Zacchaeus accepts, with delight, and is transformed. Who was host? Who took the initiative? That’s worth some thought. But in brief, Zacchaeus met God in the breaking of bread – recall the stories of the first feast and the Last Supper, Abraham at Mamre, Elijah at Zarephath, Moses in the olive groves, the disciples at Emmaus, Jesus in Jerusalem, and dozens more. Jesus said, be my host. Zacchaeus agreed, and was filled with joy. Jesus says now, to the USA, be my host. Obama says, maybe slowly maybe next year maybe sort of YES. Republican governors say, NO. And we are filled with fear. The Pope says over and over to America, welcome immigrants and refugees. Ted Cruz says over and over to America, keep them out. I set before you joy and fear, life and death. Choose life...

Immigration: an incomplete thought about Old and New Testament responses to inhospitality It was a great delight to see Doug Harbo and his wife Pat! I was hoping their car would break down and they would be stuck here for a month, but it didn’t happen. Doug asked what was on my mind these days. A book on marriage (complete) and a companion book on immigration (in process), to be published as a pair. But also: the punishments for inhospitality to immigrants in Scripture are extraordinarily severe! This is an incomplete thought. But Doug pressed a little, so I launched. He was startled that I was so interested in blood, and lost interest, at the fourth of five. So I’ll sketch it again here, and get to the fifth, which is the most interesting one. This is an incomplete essay. To do this right, I need a much better understanding of sacrifice. And if I see a pattern in Scripture that recurs five times, I’m pretty sure I’m missing two. Still, here’s the incomplete thought. #1. The pa...

REACH LEFT! Or: Why Am I in New Jersey? Random Notes for a Modest Planning Session Building Toward a Global Pro-life Century (seven ideas and two action items) John Cavanaugh-O’Keefe What follows: Intro, warming up … Why am I here? Unceasing Prayer Apologia Seven convictions … 1. The Unity of the Church 2. Follow Pope Francis 3. STUDY! 4. Study nonviolence (and then return to action) 5. Priceless kindness (a prerequisite to nonviolent action)) 6. Study eugenics, the ideology of arrogance 7. Reach left! Two action items … 1. Action item #1: Campus outreach 2. Action item #2: Cemetery of the innocents – kinetic & global & inclusive version Note on author: A silly brag sheet   Do I Belong Here? Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Holy Spirit! Bring us to the Father! Chris Flaherty invited me to come to a New Jersey strategic planning session. I knew before that she was an effective leader. But now I know she is also a courageous person! Invite JCO...