Americans should remember that, especially as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding
In the Bible, hospitality brings blessings
Monday, July 27, 2026
* Ana Rodriguez Soto
A reading at Mass recently made me think of our ongoing—and often strident—debate over immigration.
So many voices among us are fixated on deporting as many foreigners as possible. Not just criminals, not just those without proper papers, but even those whose legal applications for green cards or asylum are still pending. (Even a Catholic nun walking to Mass in full habit in Texas.)
The Supreme Court this term consistently ruled against extending Temporary Protected Status to anyone—Venezuelans, Haitians, Syrians and others—regardless of the dangerous, often inhuman, conditions afflicting their home countries.
Even the high court’s most recent ruling, upholding the more than 150-year precedent that anyone born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen, led to numerous objections and vitriol against foreigners. One commenter—the co-founder and CEO of The Federalist—even called for denying entry “to all pregnant foreigners [and] … to all female foreigners” and requiring “sterilization of all foreign visitors prior to entry.”
Such virulent objections to the concept of birthright citizenship amaze me. Not only because, until the Supreme Court ruling, such vile ideas seemed to be relegated to the darkest corners of the internet, but mostly because birthright citizenship was not even a controversial topic until a few years ago, when political opportunism made it so.
Even worse, such sentiments definitely don’t jibe with our 250 years of history, an anniversary we are celebrating this year.
To repeat a cliché, we are a nation of immigrants: from the pilgrims on the Mayflower and those who settled at Jamestown to the Irish, Italians and other Europeans who landed on Ellis Island; from the Scots who settled in the South to the slaves brought forcibly from Africa; from the Chinese brought to work on the railroads of the West to the Scandinavians who settled in the Midwest; from the Cubans who found refuge at Miami’s Freedom Tower to the Somalis who settled in Minnesota to the Venezuelans populating Doral; and many, many others.
‘But why has God blessed America? Ever thought about the connection between God’s blessing and immigration?’
Think of the largest, most important cities in the U.S. and consider why they grew: Polish immigrants in Detroit and Chicago; Irish, Italian and Jewish immigrants in New York; Hispanic immigrants in Los Angeles and Miami. Some “immigrants” even came with the territories we acquired: Mexicans in Texas, the French in New Orleans, and Caribbean islanders in Key West.
On July 4, we usually end Mass by singing “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful,” a moment made all the more moving because everyone in church is singing along (unlike during the hymns).
But why is America beautiful and blessed? Ever thought about the connection between God’s blessing and immigration? Economically, there’s proof. We are the most diverse nation on earth, and the most prosperous. Immigrant labor powered our factories for generations. Immigrants still labor in our fields and farms and on our lawns. Immigrants have founded some of the most innovative—and profitable—companies on the planet, all based in the U.S.
What has God got to do with it? That’s what that Sunday reading brought to mind. From the First Book of Kings, we heard the story of Elisha, the prophet, and the “woman of influence” in Shunem who would invite him to dinner and ultimately built a room in her house where he could stay. The blessing for her hospitality? Elisha’s promise: “This time next year you will be fondling a baby son.”
In the book of Genesis (chapter 18), Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality to “three men” yields a similar reward: “One of them said, ‘I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.’”
Also in the First Book of Kings (chapter 17), the poor widow’s generosity toward another prophet, Elijah, results in her having “enough to eat for a long time—he and she and her household.” Elijah, through God’s intercession, even brings her son back to life.
Then there are all those passages where we are reminded:
“You shall not oppress or afflict a resident alien, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 22:20)
“When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself …” (Leviticus 19:33-34)“
For the Lord, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who has no favorites, accepts no bribes, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and loves the resident alien, giving them food and clothing. So you too should love the resident alien…” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19)
“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” (Hebrews 13:2)
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)
“Be hospitable to one another without complaining.” (1 Peter 4:9)
Looking through the eyes of faith, I believe America is unique and blessed and awesome because of its generosity. Because, throughout our existence, we have opened ourselves to welcoming “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
The tourists who traveled throughout this great land for the World Cup certainly noticed and appreciated it. Our hospitality has brought us riches and innumerable blessings. We can’t take pride in those blessings while forgetting what led to them. God keeps his promises. And hospitality brings blessings.
“….America, America!
God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood,
from sea to shining sea.”
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