February 23, 2025: Sanctuary

Sanctuary

Do you know what sanctuary means? In church language, this elevated space where the tabernacle and altar sit is called a sanctuary. And when people enter into church they often genuflect toward the tabernacle. But once Mass starts and the priest kissed the altar, the focus goes from the tabernacle to the altar. That’s why when ministers come up into the sanctuary, they bow toward the altar reverencing it as the focus of where Christ is.  

The word sanctuary has been expanded to include anywhere people go for peaceful tranquility or introspection. Your pickup truck might be your sanctuary if that's where you can clear your head. But it also means a place of refuge and protection (like a wildlife sanctuary where predators are controlled, and hunting is illegal or a place that has immunity from the law this is called a human sanctuary or a political).  

Lord, pre-pare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true;
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You.

Now, here’s the cool part . . .each of us is also invited to be a living sanctuary for Christ. That is, a vessel or a living tabernacle of where Christ dwells. How do we do that? Well, there are three ways (each are important)

BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF You know what to do. Start doing the things you know are good for you. Stop, or at least cut down on the things you know aren’t good for you. Today/yesterday we had a retreat for married couples. There was a lot to take in. It involves being the best you, that you can be. 

A BIG part of your best version is to adhere to what Jesus said in the gospel. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” This challenges us to show compassion not only to those easy to love but also to those who oppose or differ from us, including the marginalized. 

Help us to carry, The burdens heavy,
To lift the fallen, And heal the weak.
In every gesture, We find Your treasure,
A sanctuary for You.

HEALING is the second component of being a sanctuary. We all have a story and maybe you need to share your story with a professional or a friend. Maybe it’s time to let go of the fear or shame and open up. And let healing begin.  

A big story that needs healing in our country is what to do with immigrants who are undocumented. Pope Francis recently reminded U.S. Catholic Bishops that welcoming immigrants is not just charity, but a moral obligation. He called on the Bishops to lead by example, creating a culture of hospitality and inclusivity. 

Now, I know this is tough. But remember that CHURCH TEACHING acknowledges the right of a nation to regulate migration, and that both parties are to blame for the fact that our immigration system is so messed up. 

The question is how to fix it in ways that are true to our Catholic Church's core commitments to human dignity, solidarity and the common good.  

Last week, the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota issued guidelines for churches on how to respond to immigrants who feel the threat of deportation, emphasizing refuge and safety, reflecting the Gospel’s call to care for the marginalized. We have copies of the document in the Kiosk.

Many folks dwell on the threat posed by "violent criminals." And none of us want violent criminals around, 

the raids being done also extend to people who have not committed any violent crimes. Supporters of this fall back on the fact that being in the country without proper documentation is itself against the law. That's true. 

But is the punishment of deportation proportionate to the violation? Especially when families are just trying to flee an unsafe country or make a new start. 

Every group of people, including migrants, has its share of bad apples, most undocumented migrants do the jobs that not many don’t want to do: picking produce in fields, working a meat packing plant, washing dishes in a restaurant, landscaping. Many migrants do backbreaking jobs. They are our neighbors. They are parents with children in our schools. They are in the pews next to us.  

If you're interested in helping our parish adhere to the Bishops guidelines, contact our Pastoral Associate, Molly Weyrens.

Let us mirror Your love so tender,  

With hearts that gather, All who are torn.
In every nation, We build salvation, 

A sanctuary for You.  

And the third movement is a GREATER AND GREATER INTIMACY WITH GOD. This is key, there’s a big difference between knowing about God and knowing God, and to really know him, you have to talk with God. 

It’s that simple. Now, of course, I would say to journal in a dialogue format with God. It is a great way to do this. But find your way.  

We are invited to be personal sanctuaries, As Jesus said in the gospel, “Stop judging, stop condemning.  

The measure with which you measure will in return be measured to you.”  

Lord, pre-pare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried, and true;
With thanksgiving I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You.