Darien Gap

Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Mt 10:1-7

False Faith

The prophet Hosea warns of the tendency to fall into a false faith. The more we deviate from The Way, the more we pretend to be religious. Here he says:

[Your Country Name here] is a luxuriant vine whose fruit matches its growth. The more abundant his fruit, the more altars he built; The more productive his land, the more sacred pillars he set up. Their heart is false, now they pay for their guilt. Jesus called it hypocrisy.

Rather Hosea says there is a better path. “Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain down justice upon you.”

Anti-Immigration is a proxy for wealth retention, consolidation and a reason for oppression. You don’t have to be the first cause to be the final cause.

Summary

In a bid to block U.S.-bound migrants, Panama has installed barbed-wire fencing along the Darien Gap, sparking panic among migrants trying to cross the jungle that links South and Central America — but not necessarily stopping them. Reference: https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/panama-using-barbed-wire-block-darien-gap-us-bound-migrants-rcna159774

Reflection

The solution for massive migration requires imagination, compassion and inspiration. If we continue to frame the question on the PRESERVATION OF WEALTH we are like those Hosea warns in our first reading. The key symptom here is the construction of houses of worship and multiplicity of sacred icons. As if there is an interior moral struggle between doing what we shouldn’t and appearing to do what we know we should.

Chiquita Held Liable for Deaths During Colombian Civil War
A South Florida jury found the company liable for killings committed by a paramilitary group that was on the banana producer’s payroll.
Reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/11/world/americas/chiquita-banana-lawsuit-colombia.html

In our gospel portion today, we have Jesus instructing the disciples to ‘Go’. Not everywhere, just yet, but to the people who should know better and alert them the Kingdom is at hand.

Personal Reflection

There isn’t enough barbed wire, bricks for walls, sanctions for those fleeing injustice. Rather we must recognize the words of Gamaliel.

In the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up, ordered the men to be put outside for a short time, and said to them, “Fellow [Your Country Name here], be careful what you are about to do to these men. So now I tell you, have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5: 34-35, 38-39).

call to Action Items

• Consider how you contribute your free-will offerings. Do you build monuments of stone or assist the living strength of humans? Support humanitarian efforts for those fleeing economic and political oppressions.
• Consider who you support. Do you want exclusion by fear or inclusion by compassion? Support Pan American policies that include a blend of solutions proposed across the Americas that recognize human dignity.

Sacred Scripture

Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071024.cfm

First Reading

Destruction of Idolatrous Cultic Objects and War Because of Wickedness

“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain down justice upon you.”

Responsorial

Seek always the face of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

The Kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the Gospel.

Gospel

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry