Effective Compassion: Crossing the Sea
February 10th, 2018
PCC Rock Creek, Portland Oregon
Good evening everyone and thank you for coming.
I am John Kingery, a member of St. Juan Diego’s Social Justice Ministry. My ancestors migrated from Germany and Ireland to the United States seeking a better life and fleeing religious discrimination. Today, immigrants and refugees migrate to our country for some of the same reasons.
Journey
Nearly a year ago, I was welcoming refugees at the airport. Their smiles and joyful faces brought light into the evening. The first Muslim ban had gone into effect. I stood with my Muslim friends and 1200 others at the Muslim Educational Trust in Tigard.
Immigrants were now being categorized as criminals, lazy and unwelcome. Those Ideas are contrary to my faith and values. We are to love the foreigner in our land. All people have the right to migrate. Nations have the right to regulate their borders and immigration. Regulation must be done with justice and mercy.
At presentations by Catholic Charities and World Relief, I learned to not be overwhelmed by the numbers. Hispanic community members were fearful of attending classes to learn about their faith. I began to fully realize we are family; we are united and stand together. “Somos Familia! ¡Estamos Unidos! Nuestra familia estamos juntos.”
On May Day in Portland, I was carrying simple and powerful message from Catholic Archbishop Sample, “It does not matter to me from where you have come, when you came, or whether you have the proper documents or not. You are loved!” Along with me were children, elderly, workers, immigrants, marginalized and other ordinary citizens. A message drowned out in concussion grenade, tear gas and burning trash cans.
In July, along with over 50 individuals from 11 faith communities I began a journey. We learned that sanctuary is more than a building, it is building a community. Along with people of good will, we stood in solidarity with immigrants at monthly vigils at the Washington County Court House. I wrote articles for the Catholic press.
Last November, I was again at the Muslim Educational Trust. This time I was there to view Papers, learn more about Dreamers and their situation. I met Petrona and asked her three questions.
• Has the faith community been supportive?
• Did she know that St. Juan Diego were their neighbors?
• Could we work together?
She answered yes to all three questions. We are here tonight.
Conclusion:
My spiritual advisor asked me, “What is your motto for the coming year”. Reflecting over the past year, I said – “Effective compassion”. What I do should make a difference for others. Compassion in that I am willing to suffer with and for others.
Three points to remember:
- “We have been given a spirit of power and love and self-control.” 2-Timothy 1:7
- “Power without love is injustice and love without knowledge of power will never achieve justice.” Paul Tillerich
- “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.” –Rabindranath Tagore
Please welcome Sarah Loose from IMiRJ and Hector Hinojosa from Defensa de la Digndad as they share ways to be effectively compassionate as we cross the sea together.
Your Fight is our Fight – Tu Lucha es Mi Lucha
Copyright 2018 John M. Kingery All rights reserved