Reflection for Sunday – July 20, 2025

Christine Nowak KvamSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Genesis 18: 1-10a; Colossians 1: 24-28; Luke 10: 38-42 
Preacher: Christine Nowak

Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries shared on social media last week about a man named Carlos.

Here’s an excerpt from their post: “After what seemed like a reasonable hearing of the man’s case and even attempts to support him in his case for asylum, including scheduling another hearing over a year from now, the judge immediately diverted course once the Department of Homeland Security motioned to dismiss the case against him.  While dismissing the case against him may seem good, in fact it closes any status the individual has with the U.S. government, making them immediately vulnerable to expedited deportation. 

 Even against the man’s wishes to not dismiss his case and to continue with his proceedings, the judge threw out the case. An undercover ICE agent was sitting in the courtroom who then texted another ICE agent in the lobby.  When we walked out with the gentleman, ICE officials got out of their unidentified car and detained the man whose name was Carlos.  In the course of a few minutes, he went from having a year to put together a full case for asylum to losing his status and then being detained outside the court.”


In light of our faith, particularly Catholic social teaching and the scripture readings of these last several weeks, what happened to Carlos is appalling and unacceptable.  


Two Sundays ago we heard the Gospel account of Jesus sending out the 72 in which he said, “Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”  Last Sunday the parable of the Good Samaritan reminded us of our duty to care for our neighbors and emphasized that everyone, even our perceived enemies, is our neighbor.  And this Sunday we hear about Abraham and Sarah’s praiseworthy hospitality for the travelers and Martha and Mary’s welcome of Jesus into their home.  It really couldn’t be more clear, could it?  Yet the stories of people like Carlos abound across our country today.  


Surely there are well-meaning people, some of whom might sit in the pews beside us or even around our own dinner tables, who would argue that people who have entered and/or remained in the United States illegally have broken the law and are just facing the natural consequences of their choice.  Fair enough.  But while this perspective may indeed reflect the law, it does not reflect the Gospel message or our Christian values.  


Like so many other Gospel texts, today’s account of Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary reflects his prioritization of the spirit of the law over the letter of the law.  As first-century Jewish women, Martha and Mary (like Sarah so many centuries before them) were expected to do the work of hospitality—cleaning the home, cooking the meal, waiting on Jesus.  Martha, following the letter of the law, was busy doing those things.  Yet Jesus praised Mary, who disregarded the rules and sat at Jesus’ feet listening to him, because the spirit of the law is about honoring the dignity of the person who has arrived at your doorstep.  Mary’s choice demonstrated her reverence for Jesus and her desire to understand more deeply his identity and mission.


What might be different in our society today if those who make and carry out our immigration policies similarly chose to listen to the stories of the migrants who have fled their homes in search of a better life?  What could change if those with authority over these matters sought deeper understanding and prioritized compassion over legalism?  Perhaps they may recognize that, like the travelers who appeared at Abraham and Sarah’s tent, Carlos and so many others are human embodiments of God’s divine presence—worthy of generous mercy and tender care.


Though most of us are not on the “frontlines” of immigration work, we can take the time to be like Mary as we listen to the Word of God and learn from Jesus’ words and actions.  In doing so, may our hearts be moved from legalism to compassion and may we be motivated to do what we can to support our migrant brothers and sisters who are Christ in our midst.    

Christine Nowak Kvam
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