We are in the thick of the political campaign season, and I’m really beginning to be bothered by a particular subject that has become fodder to be politicized. The subject of immigrants has become one of the cudgels campaigns use to batter one another. Its an easy way to use nameless and faceless vulnerable persons to make political hay. Can we just stop doing this and have a rational discussion, without “otherizing” these people?
I have attended two naturalization ceremonies for persons who have immigrated to this country. If you’ve never been, it is quite moving to see these new citizens take their oath of citizenship after the years long process they have had to manuever through. In case you aren’t aware, its not only a long arduous process, but it is an expensive one as well. There are lots of hoops to jump through, and lots of money to be laid out along the way. All I can say is, my hat’s off to those persons who complete the process. They, more than likely, know more about civics than most native born citizens. Their background has been more extensively scrutinized than we can imagine. They have decided to be productive, contributing members of the nation they have made their home.
We just celebrated Labor Day. Its usually a demarcation between Summer and Fall. Its a back-to-school marker. What it really celebrates is the contributions and progress of our country due to the combined efforts of all those who are in the labor force. It celebrates the labor movement and how it has increased the quality of life of all in our nation. There have been arguments raised about the impact of immigration on our labor market. The immigrants I have had the pleasure and privilege of knowing, have exhibited a desire to work hard, to contribute, to advance themselves and their families. Not once, not one single time have I ever heard an immigrant say they wanted to be on public assistance. Not one time have I heard them question how to game the system and take more than they give. Another argument that is raised is they will break Social Security. My understanding of Social Security is it depends on the contributions of those of working age to support those who have retired and begun to draw on the system. The more working age people contributing, the more solvent the system. Every working person must have a Social Security number. If the person is undocumented and has a fraudulent number, that means they will pay into the system and never be able to draw on it.
When I look in the Bible I find no place where it condones mistreatment of foreigners or immigrants. Quite the opposite. Leviticus 19:34 says, “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt”. Deuteronomy 27:19 says, “Cursed be anyone who deprives an alien, an orphan, or a widow of justice”. Exodus 22:21 tells us, “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt”. Jesus says in Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me”. Malachi 3:5 warns us “The messenger will bear witness against those who thrust aside the alien”.
Finally, I recall when Joseph was visited by an angel to warn him to take Mary and the baby Jesus and flee to Egypt for their safety. I’m guessing Joseph departed surreptitiously, maybe even in the middle of the night. I’m guessing he didn’t go through any kind of legal system, he just went. I’m guessing wherever the holy family went, they were welcomed, supported, and protected.
One of the greatest impacts on those who have ventured into space has been their view of the earth from outer space. Looking down on the earth, they have commented how they are struck by the absolute interconnectedness they see. No borders, no ideologies, no ownership. It is all connected to one another. I wonder if that’s how God sees it from God’s vantage point?
I believe God has told us repeatedly how we are to interact with the immigrants in our midst. Not once did God say, make their lives difficult. Not once did God say they are evil, or a blight on the land. God’s love for all of us can only be experienced when we shower that same love on others, without regard to where they come from, what religion they espouse, what their socio-economic status is, their gender, their language, their ethnicity, or even who they choose to love.
A lot has been made out of the term “Woke.” Its not wokeness to welcome the stranger, or feed the hungry, or even to be persuaded to put down our weapons. When we hear and do those things, we’re doing so because that’s what Jesus has asked us to do.
May God’s love infuse us. May God’s love traverse the boundaries, the borders, the fences, the walls of our hearts. May we be persuaded to look at and treat all persons as beloved, for that’s how we ourselves have been treated.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom