Yesterday in church, we prayed together verses from Catholic Relief Services. Because this is a Christian organization the phrase “born into time in a family of refugees” is a specific reference to Jesus. However, the rest of the prayer is applicable to all faiths and all people seeking refuge.

“God of our Wandering Ancestors, long have we known that your heart is with the refugee: that you were born into time in a family of refugees fleeing violence in their homeland, who then gathered up their hungry child and fled into alien country.

Their cry, your cry, resounds through the ages: “Will you let me in?”

Give us hearts that break open when our brothers and sisters turn to us with that same cry.

Then surely all these things will follow: ears will no longer turn deaf to their voices. Eyes will see a moment for grace instead of a threat. Tongues will not be silenced but will instead advocate. And hands will reach out–working for peace in their homeland, working for justice in the lands where they seek safe haven. Lord, protect all refugees in their travels.

May they find a friend in me and so make me worthy of the refuge I have found in you.”

AMEN

In my extended family people died because other nations would not let them in. May we live to a higher standard than the head of the United States espouses. His ancestors were allowed admittance to the same nation whose borders he proposes to close.