Last Sunday I had the privilege to attend and speak at an event organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, with about 5000 of my closest friends. Held in Balboa Park and entitled “All Are Sacred,” it was on that day to commemorate the World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Standing with migrants and immigrants and honoring their dignity, courage, and sacredness is a cause particularly close to the hearts of Roman Catholic Bishops Michael Pham and Felipe Pullido, and several interfaith clergy were invited to speak including Rev. Scott Santarosa, SJ, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Diego, Iman Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego, Rabbi Jason Nevarez of Temple Beth Israel, and Pastor Justine Sullivan of First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. Bishop Susan was also invited to speak but could not be there because she was at the House of Bishops’ meeting in Texas, so I spoke in her stead. It was certainly our honor to do so as we all share in the urgency of this cause in light of all that is happening throughout our country and definitely here in San Diego, given our proximity to the border with Mexico.
Following the speakers, we then processed a little over a mile up 5th Avenue and then back down 6th Avenue, returning to our starting point in the park where Rev. Santarosa, gave us four demands to advocate for:
- Health inspections at Otay Mesa, now and ongoing.
- Pastoral care without obstruction.
- A lawyer for everyone facing deportation
- Keep sacred spaces safe.
It was an inspiring day as all those present of various backgrounds and faith traditions (or none in some cases apart from honoring the dignity of every human being) came together with a common prayer and desire that persons who come to this country seeking a better life, safety, and a chance to contribute to their families and communities, be honored, and respected for their courage and bravery to come with next to nothing apart from the clothes on their backs, and be treated with dignity, fairness, due process under the law, and be afforded pastoral care when and as needed.
Jesus commends us in Matthew’s Gospel (25:25-36) to treat those on the margins as we would want to be treated, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
It was so gratifying to see people from the Cathedral and throughout our Diocese there on Sunday, living out Matthew’s words. As I said at the rally, “There are those who believe the Kingdom of Heaven is someplace ‘up’ there but as I look out, I see the Kingdom of Heaven is here with all of you.”
I see the same Sunday after Sunday when I look out at all of you in our community, and am grateful beyond words for your commitment to living out Matthew’s words in a world very much in need of Good News. If this particular issue is one close to your hearts, please let me know as there will several be future events.
Blessings to all of you,
Allisyn
