Over the past 3 weeks, Salvio & I have presented on ‘The Faces of Immigration: the Lives of Today’s Farmworkers' to five different groups: our TN Volunteer Advocacy training in Bellingham, Pregnancy Choices, Whidbey Island Presbyterian Church, Lopez Island High School Group, and First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue. As the immigration debate rages on in this country, it is encouraging to be welcomed with open ears and hearts to various communities eager to hear about the lives of those who are often hidden in society. Unfortunately the current political rhetoric all too closely echoes the voices throughout history that have worried about immigrants ‘draining our economy’. The solution repeatedly proposed is ‘to build a wall’ and keep ‘those immigrants out’!
How are we called as Christians to respond? How does the Bible view ‘strangers’ and ‘aliens’? “Of the 613 laws in the Torah, the one that appears most often is the directive to welcome strangers” [Andy Newman, NY Times, 3.8.07]. More than once, Scriptures tell us to not mistreat aliens because we know what its like. "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt” Exodus 22:21; 23:9. We are also reminded that we are strangers of this earth and citizens of heaven [1 Pet 2-11, Ps 119-19].
In the New Testament, Jesus invites us to see and serve him in those around us. “... I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matt. 25:35). We are also commanded by Jesus to love our neighbors, this includes people who look different from us and/or come from a different country. In fact, the author of Hebrews writes, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (13:2).
What if the US religious rhetoric was transformed into viewing strangers as angels, not aliens to be ostracized from society? What if in each person we saw the potential for mutual liberation, for cross-cultural transformation, and more simply as a precious human created in the image of God? As C.S.Lewis says, “There are no ordinary people…Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses”(Weight of Glory, p.9). It is a privilege to be able to welcome those who come through our Family Support Center doors on a weekly basis, to offer a cup of tea, hear people’s stories, and assist them as they navigate life in the US. By the grace of God, may our eyes be opened to see all as our Divine maker created and designed each to be.
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