I have been watching with interest as Pope Leo has become more comfortable in his position. He very clearly understands that America is not a Christian nation, but his approach seems, at least to me, that Americans who are Christians should behave as such. He has been vocal about his disappointment with the way immigrants are being treated, and has called on Catholics, at least, to speak up and oppose the way migrants are being treated. Like many of us – including me – he believes that nations have the right to admit who they choose. It has always been my opinion that believing in unobstructed immigration is foolish and dangerous. There should be processes and standards based on societal needs. This seems obvious.
For Pope Leo, though, and the Catholic bishops in America, migrants are people and should be treated as such. The actions of ICE have been inhumane; they have been brutalizing, arresting, and deporting people without due process. And a small, but significant number of those who have been mistreated are either citizens or here legally. It is clearly racial profiling, and it is destroying people’s lives. In the same way that prisoners should be treated humanely, so should migrants. The pope has been clear about this. As we watch the rule of law deteriorate, I have to wonder who is next? ICE has even attacked Native Americans and ignored those who have proof of citizenship! It seems to me that this is a crime against democracy and faith.
None of us should expect this country to be religious, but all of us should expect people of faith to be faithful. We have a personal responsibility to God to live our faith out in just ways. This doesn’t mean forcing our morals on the law – the law should be impartial and non-sectarian. It does mean that if you are a follower of Jesus, you have to treat the least among us as if they were Him. If you are a Muslim, you need to respect people of the Book (Bible). If you are Jewish, you have to give a portion of what you have to those who are hungry and stand up for justice. Care for those who are struggling – protection for those who are being abused – respect for all creation – these things are basic to our faiths. If we believe in God, we have a personal responsibility to respect and protect all of God’s children. No exceptions.
Prayer – Holy God, You have truly created all of us in Your image, which means all of us have sacred worth. We are responsible to treat one another with respect. Amen.
Today’s art is “The Righteousness of God” by Paul Sutcliffe.