During the last few weeks President Trump has not been out of the news.  And J D Vance, his Vice-president is not far behind!   Just recently Vance has justified the idea of America First by summarising a very old Catholic concept which most of us have never heard of – “ordo amoris”.

In a TV interview he summarised that concept in these words;  “There’s this old school — and I think it’s a very Christian concept, by the way — that you love your family and then you love your neighbour and then you love your community and then you love your fellow citizens and your own country, and then after that you can focus and prioritise the rest of the world”  And he claimed that  the President’s plan to deport millions of people didn’t conflict with his religious beliefs.  This comment, and the plan to deport people, has caused a wide debate in America. 


Many Catholic theologians say that his understanding of this old principle is wrong or immoral.

A Jesuit, Father James Martin, replied to the Vice-president’s interview by saying it misses the point of Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan. And one article quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 2241: “The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of security and the means of livelihood that he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected, which places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.”

Vance has been a Catholic for only 5 years so may not have read so far into that Catechism!  But I wonder how Vance might feel if he hears this Gospel reading set for today?  Just read it again and see how contrary it is to his TV interview.  Just consider the following: “Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you”; “Do to others as you would have them do to you”; and especially “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?”

Now, most of us know that these are hard sayings!  But we can be glad that Church agencies act on our behalf – Christian Aid, Tearfund, as well as many local agencies that give support to the homeless, refugees and others in need.  And if we feel unable to do anything as individuals then we can always give support to such groups.

But we should still feel challenged.  “Good News” is a song by an American singing group, “Sweet Honey in the Rock” in which they say “It’s Good News, not Good Times” – in other words the way of Jesus may not be comfortable.  Charity might begin at home, but it can’t end there.  When we believe that God reached out to the world in the life of Christ, then he gives us an example to follow – to reach out in love.  The Good Samaritan reached out with compassion to someone that he might have regarded as an enemy. When we pray “Thy will be done, Thy Kingdom come,” we need to remember that God can’t do that without us.

The comments of Vice-President Vance have caused a lot of comment. 
If he goes to Church on Sunday, he will almost certainly hear this Gospel read, since we follow an international Lectionary used by Churches around the world.  If we ignore the challenge it brings then we fail the Kingdom, and fail to follow Christ. It’s up to each of us to recognise what opportunities we have, to show the compassion of the Gospel.