To the editor: Over the past 30-plus years, I’ve seen so many miracle tales when a mentor Large Brother or Large Sister extends “open arms,” as Father Gregory Boyle places it in his op-ed article, to assist a baby from a marginalized group. Youth rising up in dysfunctional environments can nonetheless succeed with the friendship and steering of a dedicated pal who chooses to be the “arms of God.” (“The problem with JD Vance’s theology of mass deportation,” Opinion, Feb. 17)
Depriving even one in our group of a greater life hurts us all. Analysis executed by my group exhibits that communities acquire within the type of larger tax revenues and lowered crime after we assist each other.
Vice President JD Vance’s quoting of St. Thomas Aquinas to justify the Trump administration’s remedy of immigrant communities didn’t go far sufficient. Even Aquinas stated on his deathbed, “All I’ve written now seems as a lot straw.”
When our data fails or is divisive, we want compassion. Paraphrasing Father Boyle, exhibiting kinship to the unwelcome brings us all pleasure.
Ken Martinet, Los Angeles
The author is president and chief govt of Catholic Large Brothers Large Sisters of Los Angeles.
..
To the editor: Thanks, Father Boyle, for reinvigorating my battle to respect my Christian neighbors who voted for leaders with mean-spirited, divisive insurance policies.
Vance’s professed observance of a theological hierarchy for who-to-love-in-what-order didn’t assist my battle. His citing of St. Augustine solely satisfied me that these I worship with are an endangered minority in a faith that has at all times discovered methods to deprave Jesus’ teachings.
I’ll stay awake as simply as those that use their religion to justify their human limitations. However due to Father Boyle, I’m reminded I’ve good firm in my non secular insomnia.
Carol Flint, Santa Monica
..
To the editor: Lastly, a voice of loving witness calling from the wilderness!
Virtually consumed by hearth, we hearken to Father Boyle guiding us to reside with love for probably the most weak and frightened amongst us.
Attain out to the immigrants filling up detention facilities once more, to the accountable directors solid apart for doing their work of ministering to the hopeless throughout America and the globe. We should look to 1 one other to reimagine lives joined by Father Boyle’s homies embracing God’s full love.
Could it’s so. Amen.
Nan Cano, Westlake Village