So Much for the Huddled Masses

I was pleased to offer a prayer in the prayer service on Friday which was called in order to foster dialogue on immigration issues in St. Joseph. I was a little disappointed in the turnout, but it was at noon on a Friday, so time had to be a factor. Also, I've learned that there almost has to be a tragedy to get people focused on a complicated issue like immigration. Let's hope a dialogue can be started without one here in St. Joseph.

The speaker on Friday was Dr. Socorro De Anda of the Lydia Patterson Institute, a school for Latino immigrants in El Paso, Texas. The school has an exciting partnership between themselves, Methodist colleges and universities, and local churches in sponsoring interns who do ministry to Hispanics in a local church setting. It was inspiring to hear about the work of the school in helping children move from poverty in Juarez, Mexico to becoming college graduates. It was also good to hear her speak about the problems of immigration policy in our country and the inadequate and often inhumane ways immigrants are being treated. It seems current policy fails to guarantee security, meet the needs of business for laborers, or address the human needs of immigrants--legal and illegal--who are in this country.

One needs only to read of the cases of families torn apart by immigration policy to see that our current policies are completely inadequate to address the needs of the real people who are often fighting just to survive. A story in yesterday's Washington Post is a good example.

I've been reflecting on Jesus' words in John 12 following his anointing by Mary. (I mentioned this in my sermon on March 25.) When he utters the now infamous phrase, "The poor will always be with you..." Jesus is NOT saying, "Ignore the poor." Instead he is quoting part of a verse from Deuteronomy 15:11, “Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’” In fact, I used this verse as a jumping off point for the prayer I prayed on Friday:

Loving God, Our Creator and Sustainer,
Open our fists that have been clenched in fear and anger,
Open our hands to offer welcome, greetings and hospitality,
Open our hands so we may give materially and financially to those in need,
Open our hands to offer a hand up to those who have been pushed down by economic forces beyond their control,
Open our hands to greet newcomers as equals, as children of God,
Open our hands, open our hearts, open our minds, Amen.

Grace and Peace,

Chase