Please read this passage before reading this homily.
A severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem broke out. Members scattered. It is the foreigners, the Jews from other lands, that seem to have left. Today we would probably call them refugees seeking asylum in the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Philip was one of them, one of the first deacons.
As these Christians move out from Jerusalem, they bring their religious faith with them. They share this faith with others and the Church grows.
Philip with others went to the city of Samaria. He preached the word and healed those who were suffering. The presence of Christians brought great joy to the city.
Refugees from Ireland, Germany and other European nations helped bring the Church o the United States. Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese helped bring the Church to the United States. Mexican refugees coming from the south along with Haitians and other Hispanic cultures are bringing their Catholic faith with them to continue strengthening the Church in the United States.
The presence of refugees has often produced resentment among the citizens of the United States. Part of this, I think, is the generic xenophobia towards strangers, but part of it is, I think, is a particular prejudice against Catholics, especially non-white and poor ones, that lies at the basis of most of the English colonization of the original colonies.
Whatever the reasons for migrating or seeking refugees, we all have an obligation to preach he word and live the fulness of our faith in God and so build up the Church. We have inherited the work of the early Christians.
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