Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Jim McDermottDecember 15, 2015

Barring a minor miracle, tonight’s final Republican debate of 2015 will involve at least a few disparaging-to-hateful comments about immigrants, refugees and/or Muslims. So much for "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses."

For those who find themselves discouraged by the tenor of the conversation tonight, may I suggest walking away from the debate from time to time and searching for the #WelcometoCanada hashtag on Twitter. On the night of Dec. 10, Canada welcomed its first 600 Syrian refugees. (Ten thousand are due in the country in the next three weeks.) In response to their arrival, thousands of Canadians have been posting words of welcome. 

Here are just a few examples:

Videos, too, have been posted, including this remarkable performance by a children’s choir of “Tala’ al-Badru ‘Alayna,” the song of gratitude and welcome sung to the Prophet Mohamed when he sought refuge in Medina.

St. Ignatius says in the midst of discouragement it’s important to recall those times when we knew hope, joy, kindness, grace. As some politicians’ words seed fear or despair, how nice it can be to turn elsewhere and be reminded of the goodness that lies within us.

Oh the white moon rose over us
From the valley of Wada'
It is incumbent upon us to show gratitude
For as long as anyone in existence calls out to God
Oh our Messenger amongst us
Who comes with the exhortations to be heeded
You have brought to this city nobility
We welcome you who call to us a good way
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.

The latest from america

The 12 women whose feet were washed by Pope Francis included women from Italy, Bulgaria, Nigeria, Ukraine, Russia, Peru, Venezuela and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"We, the members of the Society of Jesus, continue to be lifted up in prayer, in lament, in protest at the death and destruction that continue to reign in Gaza and other territories in Israel/Palestine, spilling over into the surrounding countries of the Middle East."
The Society of JesusMarch 28, 2024
A child wounded in an I.D.F. bombardment is brought to Al Aqsa hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, on March 25. (AP Photo/Ismael abu dayyah)
While some children have been evacuated from conflict, more than 1.1 million children in Gaza and 3.7 million in Haiti have been left behind to face the rampaging adult world around them.
Kevin ClarkeMarch 28, 2024
Easter will not be postponed this year. It will not wait until the war is over. It is precisely now, in our darkest hour, that resurrection finds us.
Stephanie SaldañaMarch 28, 2024