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By Pope

The first World Day of Migrants and Refugees was celebrated in 1914. Since then, this annual commemoration has become an opportunity to express concern for vulnerable people on the move, and to pray for increased awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.

Concern for the vulnerable

Attention to the vulnerable is at the heart of this Sunday鈥檚 Responsorial Psalm. In his homily, Pope Francis noted how the Psalmist 鈥渕akes explicit mention鈥� of those who are 鈥渇orgotten and subject to oppression鈥�. The Lord has a particular concern 鈥渇or foreigners, widows and orphans鈥�, said the Pope, because 鈥渢hey are without rights, excluded and marginalized鈥�. 

Care for the less privileged

Quoting from the Books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, both of which warn against mistreating widows orphans, and strangers, the Pope described God鈥檚 鈥渓oving care for the less privileged鈥�. He called it 鈥渁 characteristic trait of the God of Israel鈥�, one that is 鈥渓ikewise required, as a moral duty, of all those who would belong to his people鈥�.

Not just about migrants

The theme for this 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees is 鈥淚t is not Just about Migrants鈥�. It is about 鈥渁ll those in existential peripheries who, together with migrants and refugees, are victims of the throwaway culture鈥�, explained the Pope. 鈥淭he Lord calls us to restore their humanity, as well as our own, and to leave no one behind鈥�.

The causes of exclusion

Pope Francis said the Lord invites us 鈥渢o consider the injustices that cause exclusion鈥�.  These include 鈥渢he privileges of the few, who, in order to preserve their status, act to the detriment of the many鈥�.

He gave concrete examples of how 鈥渄eveloping countries continue to be drained鈥� of their resources 鈥渇or the benefit of a few privileged markets鈥�. Or how wars only affect some regions of the world, 鈥測et weapons of war are produced and sold in other regions which are then unwilling to take in the refugees generated by these conflicts鈥�.

The culture of comfort

In the First Reading, the Prophet Amos warns those who are at ease and seek pleasure without worrying about the ruin of God鈥檚 people. The Pope said it was striking how these warnings remain as timely as ever, twenty-eight centuries later. Today too, the 鈥渃ulture of comfort鈥� makes us think only of ourselves鈥�, he said. We become insensitive and indifferent. 鈥淥verly concerned with preserving our own well-being, we too risk being blind to our brothers and sisters in difficulty鈥�.

Failing to weep

As Christians, 鈥渨e cannot be indifferent to the tragedy of old and new forms of poverty鈥�, said Pope Francis. 鈥淲e cannot remain insensitive before the misery of so many innocent people. We must not fail to weep鈥�, he added. 鈥淲e must not fail to respond鈥�.

Loving our neighbour

The commandment to love God and love our neighbor 鈥渃annot be separated鈥�, said the Pope. 鈥淟oving our neighbour means being firmly committed to building a more just world, in which everyone has access to the goods of the earth, in which all can develop as individuals and as families, and in which fundamental rights and dignity are guaranteed to all鈥�.

Being a neighbour

Loving our neighbour means 鈥渇eeling compassion for the sufferings of our brothers and sisters, drawing close to them鈥�, said the Pope. This means 鈥渂eing a neighbour to all those who are mistreated and abandoned on the streets of our world, soothing their wounds and bringing them to the nearest shelter, where their needs can be met鈥�.

Sharing the journey

The Pope concluded by entrusting to the maternal love of Mary, Our Lady of the Way, 鈥渁ll migrants and refugees, together with those who live on the peripheries of our world and those who have chosen to share their journey鈥�.