CLERGY CORNER: Aliens and strangers

Posted on 24 September 2015 by LeslieM

The numbers are staggering, and the experience is unimaginable. The wave of refugees fleeing Syria and other parts of the Middle East is testing the hospitality of Europe and other Western nations. Thousands have been displaced from their native lands and way of life, only to face uncertainty, fear and hostility in some cases. Hungary, Serbia and Germany are being overwhelmed. The United States has promised to increase the number that it can take in. But the victims of war-torn Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan keep coming with no end in sight.

Immigration has been a major issue in this country for quite some time now. The current political candidates vying for the White House have been challenged, on both sides, to address illegal border crossings, and the economic and social impact illegal immigration appears to have on the American way of life. The current crisis in Europe has only added to the debates that have raged on both sides of the issue.

But beyond the politics and economic discussions, how much responsibility do we have to assist the alien and the stranger?

All of us possess the ability to sympathize and be compassionate about the difficulties that others face. Something is stirred within us at the sight of suffering, grief and devastation after a natural disaster or some other catastrophic event. We willingly give our money and volunteer our services to be of help. It’s the right thing to do and is a natural human response. Irrespective of cultural, ethnic or physical differences, we all understand pain and have the same impulses to assuage it. Only the callous and barbaric are unmoved at someone’s distress.

God has created us to commiserate and be tenderhearted towards each other. His instruction to the ancient Hebrews was to be mindful of the poor and strangers among them.

And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger.” [Leviticus 19:10].

In fact, aliens among the Hebrews were to be treated equally and without discrimination.

The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God” [Leviticus 19:34].

In the New Testament, Jesus indicates that our treatment of those in adversity is indicative of our treatment of Him.

For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me…Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [Matthew 25:35-36, 40].

This is why the faith community is always on the front lines of humanitarian aid and assistance. We extend God’s love to those who are in need because it is required of us, because God has shown us mercy, and because we owe it to our fellowman.

We may not have all the answers to the refugee crisis in Europe, or for the immigration issue here at home. We do acknowledge our responsibility to help the alien and the stranger nonetheless. Let’s be grateful for the churches, ministries, organizations and social service agencies that give aid to those facing crisis. Let us be inspired to help in the ways that we can by donating goods, money or services to those agencies. And let’s pray for peace at home and around the world.

Bishop Patrick L. Kelly is the pastor of Cathedral Church of God, 365 S. Dixie Hwy., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. 954-427-0302.

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