Learning the value of citizenship from foreigners
07/03/2017
John 20:24-29
Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was
not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We
have seen the Lord." But Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the mark
of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand
into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were
again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were
locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then
he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your
hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."
Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to
him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those
who have not seen and have believed."
In my conversations with people, someone invariably asks:
“Why did your family immigrate to the United States?” I’m always taken aback
and surprised by the question and my first reaction is to say, “Why wouldn’t
anyone want to immigrate to this country??” In this country, we enjoy freedoms
people only dream of in other countries, like going to Mass whenever and wherever
we choose, even at 7 a.m.! In the United States we have the opportunity to
study any subject and pursue any professions even the priesthood, if we so
desire. And ultimately, we can leave behind a legacy to our children not only
of wealth but also of wisdom, because this country gives us amply opportunity
to accumulate both.
Let me share with you a little of the legacy of this great
land. The 2nd president of the United States, John Adams, before he became
president, in 1770 actually defended the British against the Colonists because
it was the right thing to do, even though painfully unpopular. He argued:
“Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations,
or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and
evidence.” Adams successfully freed the Red Coats, because he believed in
freedom. Almost one hundred years later, in 1863, the 16th president, Abraham
Lincoln, would stand at the Gettysburg Battlefield and assert: “We here highly
resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under
God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by
the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Under Lincoln’s
leadership, the country was not torn asunder but saved. Almost one hundred
years later, in 1961, the 35th president, John F. Kennedy, would urge us in his
inaugural address: “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for
you, ask what you can do for your country.” Inspired by his words, America put
a man on the moon by the end of the decade. I share these quotations with you
because sometimes it takes a foreigner to teach a citizen exactly how great his
country really is. That’s why my family immigrated here.
In the gospel today, Thomas learns a similar lesson:
sometimes foreigners know better than citizens the value of their native land.
You know the story of “Doubting Thomas.” Even though Jesus has been with him 3
years, and predicted he would rise from the dead, and the other apostles all
attested to the Resurrection, Thomas doubts. Jesus appears and reprimands the
incredulous apostle, saying, “Have you come to believe because you have seen
me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” In other words,
Jesus predicts that others will come later and enjoy citizenship in the Kingdom
who will appreciate these gifts of grace, and believe better than those who
were native sons. Of course, I don’t want to be too hard on St. Thomas. Jesus’
gentle scolding inspired him to go to India, and evangelize the people there,
that is to say, my ancestors. Thanks to the doubting of Thomas, I believe.
Nevertheless, sometimes a foreigner must teach a citizen how great his country
is.
My friends, as Americans and as Catholics we run a double
risk of taking for grated our country and our church. We can lose sight of the
vastness of our freedom as Americans, but also the value of our faith as
Catholics. And what we take for granted can soon be gone. We can lose our
freedom and we can lose our faith; just listen to those who speak so callously
against this country, even burning the American flag in effigy, and think of
those who have stopped practicing their Catholic faith. Know anybody like that?
What you take for granted can soon be gone.
That’s why I’m so glad for our RCIA classes each year. New
converts embrace Catholicism with enthusiasm, excitement and energy, and remind
me how great it is to be Catholic. That’s why we sign them up for every
committee and group, too. Foreigners remind the native sons how great their
citizenship is. And that’s true whether your citizenship is on earth, or in
heaven.
Praised be Jesus Christ!
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