Why the Church Has Compassion for the Poor: The Call to Lenten Almsgiving
During Lent, the Church calls the faithful to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. While prayer strengthens our spiritual connection with God and fasting disciplines our desires, almsgiving directs our hearts outward in compassion for those in need.
The Church’s commitment to the poor is not just a seasonal obligation but a fundamental expression of Christ’s love and a reflection of His mission on earth.
A Church Founded on Compassion
The Catholic Church’s concern for the poor is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture.
• Jesus identifies with the poor:“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Throughout His ministry, Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the marginalized, demonstrating that love for the poor is central to the Gospel.
The early Church lived this mission wholeheartedly. The Acts of the Apostles describes how believers shared their resources so that:
• A spirit of generosity defined the first Christians:“There was not a needy person among them.” (Acts 4:34)
This spirit continues today as the Church operates food pantries, shelters, hospitals, and countless aid programs worldwide, serving those in physical, emotional, and spiritual poverty.
Almsgiving: More Than Charity—A Path to Conversion
Lenten almsgiving is more than just donating money—it is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to God by:
✅ Detaching us from material wealth✅ Opening our hearts to others✅ Fostering humility and gratitude
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:“Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” (CCC 2462)
In a world that often measures success by wealth and self-sufficiency, almsgiving reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God meant to be shared. It combats selfishness and helps us recognize Christ in the faces of those who suffer.
The Church’s Response to Poverty
The Church not only encourages individual acts of generosity but also advocates for systemic change to address the root causes of poverty. Through Catholic social teaching, the Church promotes:
✅ Human dignity – Every person is created in God’s image.✅ Fair wages – Economic justice ensures families can thrive.✅ Just economic policies – Societies should protect the most vulnerable.
Organizations like Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Internationalis work globally to provide food, education, healthcare, and emergency aid to the most vulnerable.
Locally, parishes and Catholic charities assist struggling families, offering:
✅ Shelter for the homeless✅ Job assistance for the unemployed✅ Support for those burdened by medical expenses
During Lent, many communities organize food drives, collections for the poor, and volunteer opportunities to serve those in need. These acts of charity are not just about alleviating suffering—they are about affirming the dignity of every person as a beloved child of God.
A Call to a Life of Generosity
Lenten almsgiving is a starting point, but the Church invites us to make generosity a way of life. True compassion means:
✅ Not only giving from our abundance but also sacrificing for others.✅ Standing in solidarity with the poor, recognizing their struggles as our own.✅ Being present to those in need, offering more than money—offering our hearts.
Pope Francis reminds us:
“Almsgiving is not mere philanthropy; it is a concrete expression of charity, a movement of the heart that draws us closer to those who suffer.”
This Lent, we are challenged to give more than money—we are called to give our time, our presence, and our love. Whether it is:
✅ Volunteering at a shelter✅ Befriending someone in need✅ Sacrificing personal luxuries to help another
Every act of generosity brings us closer to Christ.
A Prayer for the Poor and for a Generous Heart
Heavenly Father,You are the source of all goodness and mercy.Open our hearts to those who suffer,that we may see Christ in the faces of the poor.
Teach us to give not only from our excessbut from our very selves.May our sacrifices this Lent be pleasing to Youand bring hope to those in need.
Bless all who hunger, who are homeless, and who despair.May they find comfort in Your loveand support through our hands and hearts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Church’s commitment to the poor is not just a seasonal obligation but a fundamental expression of Christ’s love and a reflection of His mission on earth.
A Church Founded on Compassion
The Catholic Church’s concern for the poor is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture.
• Jesus identifies with the poor:“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Throughout His ministry, Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the marginalized, demonstrating that love for the poor is central to the Gospel.
The early Church lived this mission wholeheartedly. The Acts of the Apostles describes how believers shared their resources so that:
• A spirit of generosity defined the first Christians:“There was not a needy person among them.” (Acts 4:34)
This spirit continues today as the Church operates food pantries, shelters, hospitals, and countless aid programs worldwide, serving those in physical, emotional, and spiritual poverty.
Almsgiving: More Than Charity—A Path to Conversion
Lenten almsgiving is more than just donating money—it is a spiritual practice that draws us closer to God by:
✅ Detaching us from material wealth✅ Opening our hearts to others✅ Fostering humility and gratitude
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:“Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” (CCC 2462)
In a world that often measures success by wealth and self-sufficiency, almsgiving reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God meant to be shared. It combats selfishness and helps us recognize Christ in the faces of those who suffer.
The Church’s Response to Poverty
The Church not only encourages individual acts of generosity but also advocates for systemic change to address the root causes of poverty. Through Catholic social teaching, the Church promotes:
✅ Human dignity – Every person is created in God’s image.✅ Fair wages – Economic justice ensures families can thrive.✅ Just economic policies – Societies should protect the most vulnerable.
Organizations like Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Internationalis work globally to provide food, education, healthcare, and emergency aid to the most vulnerable.
Locally, parishes and Catholic charities assist struggling families, offering:
✅ Shelter for the homeless✅ Job assistance for the unemployed✅ Support for those burdened by medical expenses
During Lent, many communities organize food drives, collections for the poor, and volunteer opportunities to serve those in need. These acts of charity are not just about alleviating suffering—they are about affirming the dignity of every person as a beloved child of God.
A Call to a Life of Generosity
Lenten almsgiving is a starting point, but the Church invites us to make generosity a way of life. True compassion means:
✅ Not only giving from our abundance but also sacrificing for others.✅ Standing in solidarity with the poor, recognizing their struggles as our own.✅ Being present to those in need, offering more than money—offering our hearts.
Pope Francis reminds us:
“Almsgiving is not mere philanthropy; it is a concrete expression of charity, a movement of the heart that draws us closer to those who suffer.”
This Lent, we are challenged to give more than money—we are called to give our time, our presence, and our love. Whether it is:
✅ Volunteering at a shelter✅ Befriending someone in need✅ Sacrificing personal luxuries to help another
Every act of generosity brings us closer to Christ.
A Prayer for the Poor and for a Generous Heart
Heavenly Father,You are the source of all goodness and mercy.Open our hearts to those who suffer,that we may see Christ in the faces of the poor.
Teach us to give not only from our excessbut from our very selves.May our sacrifices this Lent be pleasing to Youand bring hope to those in need.
Bless all who hunger, who are homeless, and who despair.May they find comfort in Your loveand support through our hands and hearts.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Transformative Power of Almsgiving: How Giving Changes the Giver
Almsgiving: More Than an Obligation
Every Lent, we are reminded of the three pillars of our spiritual journey—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We understand prayer as deepening our relationship with God. We embrace fasting as a discipline of self-control. But almsgiving? Too often, we reduce it to a simple act of charity—a duty to be fulfilled, a donation to be made.
Yet, true almsgiving is far more than writing a check or dropping spare change into a collection box. It is an invitation to transformation. It is an encounter with Christ in the face of the poor. And, if embraced fully, it has the power to change not only the recipient but the giver as well.
A Call from Christ Himself
Jesus does not suggest generosity—He commands it.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
These words are more than a moral lesson; they reveal something profound about how God chooses to be present in the world. Christ identifies with the poor, the suffering, the forgotten. He is not distant from their struggles—He is among them. And when we serve them, we serve Him.
This means that almsgiving is not just about kindness; it is about communion with Christ. It is not an optional virtue for the exceptionally charitable, but an essential part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Almsgiving as a Path to Holiness
The world measures success by how much we accumulate—more wealth, more possessions, more status. But in God’s kingdom, greatness is measured by how much we give away.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:“Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” (CCC 2462)
To give freely—not out of obligation, but out of love—is to enter into the very heart of God. Generosity breaks the chains of selfishness, loosens our grip on materialism, and shapes us into people of compassion and mercy. It reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, meant not to be hoarded, but shared.
Saint Basil the Great puts it bluntly:
“The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat in your wardrobe belongs to the naked; the shoes you let rot belong to the barefoot.”
What we consider “ours” is often meant for someone else. And when we recognize this, we begin to see almsgiving not as a sacrifice, but as a privilege—a way to participate in God’s generosity.
Breaking the Chains of Indifference
One of the greatest temptations of our time is indifference. The sheer volume of suffering in the world can overwhelm us. We hear of wars, hunger, homelessness, injustice, and it is easy to feel powerless. We might think, What difference can I really make?
But almsgiving teaches us that while we may not be able to change the whole world, we can change someone’s world.
Pope Francis warns against the “globalization of indifference”—a world where we become so accustomed to suffering that we cease to see it. Almsgiving shakes us awake, reminding us that the poor are not statistics, but real people with real stories. It pulls us out of our self-absorption and places us into relationship with those in need.
And here lies its greatest secret: as we change the lives of others, we ourselves are changed.
“But What If I Have Nothing to Give?”
Many hesitate to give because they feel they have too little. But generosity is not measured by amount—it is measured by love.
Remember the widow in the Gospel who placed two small coins into the temple treasury? Jesus declared that she had given more than all the others, because while the wealthy gave from their surplus, she gave from her very self (Mark 12:41-44).
Giving is not just about money. True almsgiving includes:✅ Time – Visiting the lonely, mentoring a young person, volunteering at a shelter.✅ Presence – Listening to someone who is struggling, offering encouragement.✅ Forgiveness – Releasing resentment, being generous with mercy.✅ Sacrifice – Fasting from luxuries to share with those in need.
Some of the greatest gifts cost nothing but our willingness to love.
God’s Generosity Can Never Be Outdone
Many fear that if they give too much, they will lack what they need. But generosity is a paradox—the more we give, the richer we become.
Jesus tells us:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap.” (Luke 6:38)
Those who practice radical generosity often discover something incredible: joy.
Why? Because when we give, we imitate God—and there is no greater happiness than to be like Him.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta understood this well:
“If you give what you do not need, it is not giving. True giving is giving until it hurts.”
And yet, those who have truly given know the great secret: the more we give, the less it hurts. Generosity expands our hearts, making room for grace, for joy, for God Himself.
This Lent, Let Almsgiving Change You
Lenten almsgiving is not just about what we give—it is about who we become.
So as we continue this season of sacrifice, let us ask:
• What am I holding onto that God is asking me to give away? • How can I recognize Christ in the poor and suffering around me? • Where is God calling me to love more freely, more joyfully, more radically?
This Lent, give—not just from your excess, but from your heart. And in doing so, discover the beautiful truth: when we give, we receive far more than we ever imagined. A Prayer for a Generous Heart
Heavenly Father,
You are the source of all goodness, all love, and all that we have.You give freely and abundantly, never holding back Your mercy,never withholding Your grace.
Lord, I confess that too often I cling to my own comfort,my own desires, my own security.I fear letting go, afraid that if I give too much, I will have too little.But You remind me that true riches are found not in storing up treasures,but in pouring them out for others.
Teach me, Lord, to give as You give—not out of obligation, but out of love,not from my leftovers, but from my very heart.
Help me to see You in the face of the poor,to hear Your voice in the cries of the suffering,to know that when I give, I am not just offering to another,but giving to You.
Lord, soften my heart,free me from indifference,make me generous in ways that go beyond money—generous in kindness, in time, in presence, in forgiveness.
And let my almsgiving this Lent not be just a moment,but a transformation—a change that lasts beyond these forty days,a love that reflects Your own,a heart that beats more and more like Yours.
I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,who gave everything, even His life,so that I might know the richness of Your love.
Amen.
Every Lent, we are reminded of the three pillars of our spiritual journey—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We understand prayer as deepening our relationship with God. We embrace fasting as a discipline of self-control. But almsgiving? Too often, we reduce it to a simple act of charity—a duty to be fulfilled, a donation to be made.
Yet, true almsgiving is far more than writing a check or dropping spare change into a collection box. It is an invitation to transformation. It is an encounter with Christ in the face of the poor. And, if embraced fully, it has the power to change not only the recipient but the giver as well.
A Call from Christ Himself
Jesus does not suggest generosity—He commands it.
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
These words are more than a moral lesson; they reveal something profound about how God chooses to be present in the world. Christ identifies with the poor, the suffering, the forgotten. He is not distant from their struggles—He is among them. And when we serve them, we serve Him.
This means that almsgiving is not just about kindness; it is about communion with Christ. It is not an optional virtue for the exceptionally charitable, but an essential part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Almsgiving as a Path to Holiness
The world measures success by how much we accumulate—more wealth, more possessions, more status. But in God’s kingdom, greatness is measured by how much we give away.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us:“Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” (CCC 2462)
To give freely—not out of obligation, but out of love—is to enter into the very heart of God. Generosity breaks the chains of selfishness, loosens our grip on materialism, and shapes us into people of compassion and mercy. It reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, meant not to be hoarded, but shared.
Saint Basil the Great puts it bluntly:
“The bread in your cupboard belongs to the hungry; the coat in your wardrobe belongs to the naked; the shoes you let rot belong to the barefoot.”
What we consider “ours” is often meant for someone else. And when we recognize this, we begin to see almsgiving not as a sacrifice, but as a privilege—a way to participate in God’s generosity.
Breaking the Chains of Indifference
One of the greatest temptations of our time is indifference. The sheer volume of suffering in the world can overwhelm us. We hear of wars, hunger, homelessness, injustice, and it is easy to feel powerless. We might think, What difference can I really make?
But almsgiving teaches us that while we may not be able to change the whole world, we can change someone’s world.
Pope Francis warns against the “globalization of indifference”—a world where we become so accustomed to suffering that we cease to see it. Almsgiving shakes us awake, reminding us that the poor are not statistics, but real people with real stories. It pulls us out of our self-absorption and places us into relationship with those in need.
And here lies its greatest secret: as we change the lives of others, we ourselves are changed.
“But What If I Have Nothing to Give?”
Many hesitate to give because they feel they have too little. But generosity is not measured by amount—it is measured by love.
Remember the widow in the Gospel who placed two small coins into the temple treasury? Jesus declared that she had given more than all the others, because while the wealthy gave from their surplus, she gave from her very self (Mark 12:41-44).
Giving is not just about money. True almsgiving includes:✅ Time – Visiting the lonely, mentoring a young person, volunteering at a shelter.✅ Presence – Listening to someone who is struggling, offering encouragement.✅ Forgiveness – Releasing resentment, being generous with mercy.✅ Sacrifice – Fasting from luxuries to share with those in need.
Some of the greatest gifts cost nothing but our willingness to love.
God’s Generosity Can Never Be Outdone
Many fear that if they give too much, they will lack what they need. But generosity is a paradox—the more we give, the richer we become.
Jesus tells us:
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap.” (Luke 6:38)
Those who practice radical generosity often discover something incredible: joy.
Why? Because when we give, we imitate God—and there is no greater happiness than to be like Him.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta understood this well:
“If you give what you do not need, it is not giving. True giving is giving until it hurts.”
And yet, those who have truly given know the great secret: the more we give, the less it hurts. Generosity expands our hearts, making room for grace, for joy, for God Himself.
This Lent, Let Almsgiving Change You
Lenten almsgiving is not just about what we give—it is about who we become.
So as we continue this season of sacrifice, let us ask:
• What am I holding onto that God is asking me to give away? • How can I recognize Christ in the poor and suffering around me? • Where is God calling me to love more freely, more joyfully, more radically?
This Lent, give—not just from your excess, but from your heart. And in doing so, discover the beautiful truth: when we give, we receive far more than we ever imagined. A Prayer for a Generous Heart
Heavenly Father,
You are the source of all goodness, all love, and all that we have.You give freely and abundantly, never holding back Your mercy,never withholding Your grace.
Lord, I confess that too often I cling to my own comfort,my own desires, my own security.I fear letting go, afraid that if I give too much, I will have too little.But You remind me that true riches are found not in storing up treasures,but in pouring them out for others.
Teach me, Lord, to give as You give—not out of obligation, but out of love,not from my leftovers, but from my very heart.
Help me to see You in the face of the poor,to hear Your voice in the cries of the suffering,to know that when I give, I am not just offering to another,but giving to You.
Lord, soften my heart,free me from indifference,make me generous in ways that go beyond money—generous in kindness, in time, in presence, in forgiveness.
And let my almsgiving this Lent not be just a moment,but a transformation—a change that lasts beyond these forty days,a love that reflects Your own,a heart that beats more and more like Yours.
I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ,who gave everything, even His life,so that I might know the richness of Your love.
Amen.
The Danger of Redefining Compassion
02-03-2025
True compassion is more than sentiment—it is love rooted in both mercy and truth. This reflection challenges Catholics to reject a false choice between national security and Christian charity, instead embracing ordo amoris, the right order of love. Grounded in Scripture and Church teaching, it emphasizes the call to balance justice with mercy in immigration policy. Through the wisdom of the saints and Catholic social principles, it offers a faith-filled perspective on authentic compassion, urging believers to uphold human dignity without compromising moral responsibility.
The Danger of Redefining Compassion: A Catholic Perspective on Immigration and Truth 02-03-25
Compassion is a core Christian virtue. Jesus Himself was moved with compassion when He healed the sick, forgave sinners, and fed the hungry. As Catholics, we are called to imitate Christ’s mercy and kindness. However, in today’s world, the meaning of compassion is increasingly being distorted—both in the moral life and in broader societal debates, such as immigration.
Many voices claim that to be compassionate means to affirm every desire, avoid difficult truths, and prioritize feelings over reality. In the immigration debate, this can take the form of extreme positions—either calling for unconditional open borders or rejecting migrants entirely under the guise of protecting national interests. Both positions fail to reflect true Catholic teaching, which calls us to uphold justice and mercy together.
Compassion without truth is sentimentality; truth without compassion is harshness. The Catholic vision of love holds both together. To understand this, we must recover ordo amoris—the proper order of love.
Ordo Amoris: The Right Order of Love
The idea of ordo amoris originates in St. Augustine and was further developed by St. Thomas Aquinas. It teaches that love should be rightly ordered—placing God first, followed by our families, communities, and the broader world. However, the proper order of love never meant neglecting or devaluing those outside our immediate circles. Rather, it calls us to balance our responsibilities in a way that reflects God’s universal love for all people.
Some argue that immigration policies should reflect this ordered love, prioritizing citizens over outsiders. For example, Vice President J.D. Vance has stated that Americans should care for their fellow citizens before extending concern to immigrants and refugees, grounding his argument in ordo amoris. While it is true that a nation has a duty to its own people, Catholic teaching warns against using this principle to justify an exclusionary or fear-driven approach to those in need.
The Good Samaritan: A Biblical Warning Against Selective Compassion
Jesus Himself addressed the temptation to limit compassion to one’s own people. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Christ tells of a Jewish man left beaten on the side of the road. Two of his own—a priest and a Levite—walk by without helping. Instead, it is a Samaritan—an outsider, a foreigner—who stops to care for him.
The message is clear: Christian compassion is not about national or tribal loyalty—it is about seeing the image of God in every human being.
If we take ordo amoris to mean that we only have moral obligations to our fellow citizens, we risk walking past the suffering of those in need—just as the priest and Levite did. This is the spiritual danger of redefining compassion.
Balancing Mercy and Order in Immigration Policy
The Church does not advocate for open borders or reckless immigration policies. Catholic teaching affirms the right of nations to protect their citizens, enforce just laws, and promote the common good (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2241). However, border security and Christian mercy are not opposed to one another. The question is not whether we should protect our country, but how we do so in a way that remains faithful to the Gospel.
A strong immigration policy should balance justice and charity—ensuring national security while upholding the dignity of those fleeing war, persecution, or extreme poverty. Policies that deliberately separate families, deny asylum to those in danger, or criminalize those seeking a better life contradict the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
There is room for reasonable debate about immigration policy, but as Catholics, our position must always be informed by both justice and mercy. We must not allow political rhetoric to lead us into fear-driven or exclusionary thinking that erodes our witness to Christ’s love.
The Catholic Response: Compassion Without Compromise
Some may argue that advocating for the poor and the immigrant means neglecting Americans in need. This is a false choice. The Church has always taught that caring for the immigrant does not mean abandoning the struggling citizen.
In fact, Catholic Charities, the Knights of Columbus, and countless parish ministries serve both Americans and immigrants alike. Supporting policies that reflect justice for the unborn, religious freedom, and economic stability does not require us to abandon our commitment to refugees and migrants.
A well-ordered love is not either-or. It is both-and—seeking the good of our nation while also recognizing our duty to the suffering stranger.
Faith First: The Danger of Political Manipulation
One of the greatest temptations in modern politics is the hijacking of Christian values for partisan gain. When political leaders selectively use theology to justify self-interest over sacrifice, Catholics must be discerning.
Our loyalty is to Christ, not any political party. While we may support different policies and leaders, we cannot allow any administration—Republican or Democrat—to redefine Catholic teachings for political expediency.
If we believe in protecting the unborn, defending the family, and upholding religious liberty, then we must also believe in Christ’s command to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35). These are not separate causes. They are part of the same Gospel.
Conclusion: A Call to Authentic Catholic Witness
Christ’s words remain our guiding light:
“I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
As faithful Catholics, we are called to:✅ Defend both our families and the vulnerable.✅ Protect our borders and extend Christian mercy.✅ Love our nation while never compromising the Gospel.
True compassion does not mean ignoring the needs of our fellow Americans. Nor does it mean turning away those who come to us in desperate need. It means living out a love that is rightly ordered but never exclusionary, rooted in justice but always tempered with mercy.
Let us embrace this calling with wisdom, strength, and unwavering faith, knowing that in the end, we will be judged not by our political affiliations, but by how well we loved in Christ’s name.
A Prayer for True Compassion
Heavenly Father,Teach me to love as You love,with compassion that is gentle, yet rooted in truth.Help me to see others with Your eyes,never turning away from their suffering,but also never compromising the path to holiness.
Give me courage to speak when needed,wisdom to be silent when necessary,and humility to love even when it costs me.
Let my heart be conformed to Yours,so that in all things, I may reflect Your perfect order of love.
Amen.
Many voices claim that to be compassionate means to affirm every desire, avoid difficult truths, and prioritize feelings over reality. In the immigration debate, this can take the form of extreme positions—either calling for unconditional open borders or rejecting migrants entirely under the guise of protecting national interests. Both positions fail to reflect true Catholic teaching, which calls us to uphold justice and mercy together.
Compassion without truth is sentimentality; truth without compassion is harshness. The Catholic vision of love holds both together. To understand this, we must recover ordo amoris—the proper order of love.
Ordo Amoris: The Right Order of Love
The idea of ordo amoris originates in St. Augustine and was further developed by St. Thomas Aquinas. It teaches that love should be rightly ordered—placing God first, followed by our families, communities, and the broader world. However, the proper order of love never meant neglecting or devaluing those outside our immediate circles. Rather, it calls us to balance our responsibilities in a way that reflects God’s universal love for all people.
Some argue that immigration policies should reflect this ordered love, prioritizing citizens over outsiders. For example, Vice President J.D. Vance has stated that Americans should care for their fellow citizens before extending concern to immigrants and refugees, grounding his argument in ordo amoris. While it is true that a nation has a duty to its own people, Catholic teaching warns against using this principle to justify an exclusionary or fear-driven approach to those in need.
The Good Samaritan: A Biblical Warning Against Selective Compassion
Jesus Himself addressed the temptation to limit compassion to one’s own people. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Christ tells of a Jewish man left beaten on the side of the road. Two of his own—a priest and a Levite—walk by without helping. Instead, it is a Samaritan—an outsider, a foreigner—who stops to care for him.
The message is clear: Christian compassion is not about national or tribal loyalty—it is about seeing the image of God in every human being.
If we take ordo amoris to mean that we only have moral obligations to our fellow citizens, we risk walking past the suffering of those in need—just as the priest and Levite did. This is the spiritual danger of redefining compassion.
Balancing Mercy and Order in Immigration Policy
The Church does not advocate for open borders or reckless immigration policies. Catholic teaching affirms the right of nations to protect their citizens, enforce just laws, and promote the common good (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2241). However, border security and Christian mercy are not opposed to one another. The question is not whether we should protect our country, but how we do so in a way that remains faithful to the Gospel.
A strong immigration policy should balance justice and charity—ensuring national security while upholding the dignity of those fleeing war, persecution, or extreme poverty. Policies that deliberately separate families, deny asylum to those in danger, or criminalize those seeking a better life contradict the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
There is room for reasonable debate about immigration policy, but as Catholics, our position must always be informed by both justice and mercy. We must not allow political rhetoric to lead us into fear-driven or exclusionary thinking that erodes our witness to Christ’s love.
The Catholic Response: Compassion Without Compromise
Some may argue that advocating for the poor and the immigrant means neglecting Americans in need. This is a false choice. The Church has always taught that caring for the immigrant does not mean abandoning the struggling citizen.
In fact, Catholic Charities, the Knights of Columbus, and countless parish ministries serve both Americans and immigrants alike. Supporting policies that reflect justice for the unborn, religious freedom, and economic stability does not require us to abandon our commitment to refugees and migrants.
A well-ordered love is not either-or. It is both-and—seeking the good of our nation while also recognizing our duty to the suffering stranger.
Faith First: The Danger of Political Manipulation
One of the greatest temptations in modern politics is the hijacking of Christian values for partisan gain. When political leaders selectively use theology to justify self-interest over sacrifice, Catholics must be discerning.
Our loyalty is to Christ, not any political party. While we may support different policies and leaders, we cannot allow any administration—Republican or Democrat—to redefine Catholic teachings for political expediency.
If we believe in protecting the unborn, defending the family, and upholding religious liberty, then we must also believe in Christ’s command to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35). These are not separate causes. They are part of the same Gospel.
Conclusion: A Call to Authentic Catholic Witness
Christ’s words remain our guiding light:
“I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25:35)
As faithful Catholics, we are called to:✅ Defend both our families and the vulnerable.✅ Protect our borders and extend Christian mercy.✅ Love our nation while never compromising the Gospel.
True compassion does not mean ignoring the needs of our fellow Americans. Nor does it mean turning away those who come to us in desperate need. It means living out a love that is rightly ordered but never exclusionary, rooted in justice but always tempered with mercy.
Let us embrace this calling with wisdom, strength, and unwavering faith, knowing that in the end, we will be judged not by our political affiliations, but by how well we loved in Christ’s name.
A Prayer for True Compassion
Heavenly Father,Teach me to love as You love,with compassion that is gentle, yet rooted in truth.Help me to see others with Your eyes,never turning away from their suffering,but also never compromising the path to holiness.
Give me courage to speak when needed,wisdom to be silent when necessary,and humility to love even when it costs me.
Let my heart be conformed to Yours,so that in all things, I may reflect Your perfect order of love.
Amen.