Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, presides over an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass and procession, recalling immigrants in particular and saying the sign of the cross marked by the ashes they receive is “a seal that says you belong to Jesus Christ” and “a reminder that you are citizens of a homeland that has no borders.”
Vatican News
Cardinal Blase Cupich led the Ash Wednesday Mass and Procession in the Archdiocese of Chicago this year in the western suburb church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park.
The celebrations took place as a sign of solidarity with immigrant families and as a public expression of support and unity.
In his homily for the occasion, Cardinal Cupich recalled the scripture readings when Jesus tells us that God sees and acts in secret and that is where we are called to find him through our alms giving, prayers, and fasting out of the sight of everyone.
He encouraged immigrants to know always that “Jesus is telling you today: I am there with you in the secret places” when they may cry in secret, work hard for their children while no one notices, when they struggle to send income back home.
Life breathed into dust
Recalling that from the beginning God used dust to create humanity, as clay in the Potter’s hands that he molded and into which he breathed life creating us, Cardinal Cupich pointed out that while we hear the words, “you are dust” this does not mean we are worthless but rather the clay in God’s hands that created us.
“You may be undocumented in the eyes of the state, but you were hand-crafted by the Creator of the universe. Your worth does not come from a visa or a permit; it comes from the breath of God inside you.”
All children of God
Cardinal Cupich explained how the mark of the sign of the cross on the forehead “is more permanent than any government identity or record” but is “a seal that says you belong to Jesus Christ” and are “citizens of a homeland that has no borders.”
He stressed that “no matter what laws change, no matter what politicians say, and no matter what uncertainties you face, you are children of God.”
Jesus with you always
In conclusion, the Cardinal said “this day is made for you”, addressing immigrants who often live in the shadows of hidden places and “are treated like dust that can be swept away.”
He encouraged immigrants to not lose confidence in the fact “that Jesus is with you in your hiding, and sees the sacrifices you make for your family.”
He added, “Remember that you are the dust God loves and breathes his life into. You are the dust that God has embraced in taking on our human flesh to redeem us by the cross marked on our heads.”
Raise your heads high, he concluded, as “it is the cross that conquers all injustice, that leads to the resurrection where every tear will be wiped away, and every exile will finally find their true home.”
