Maybe I've been reading too much of Nadia Bolz-Weber's book Pastrix, where she describes her life as trial and error until she found the Lutheran church. Her language isn't what you expect of a pastor. It's harsh. It includes curses. But it's life.
And maybe its because of her writing that I must say, I find myself disappointed at times, like tonight. A local church at Holy Cross in Commack could do something brave--taking in migrant children from the border who willing give themselves up when caught. These people aren't looking to cause trouble; they're looking to flee from it. These children are from a different walk of life than the common person is used to in the United States. They are abused, neglected. Their families are torn apart from drugs and disease. They come to the United States for the same reasons our ancestors did: for a chance at a better future.
Let's play devil's advocate. They take our jobs. They don't contribute to welfare and social security. They are now part of the healthcare system. They fill our schools and make us pay higher taxes. I won't comment that both Republicans and Democrats believe that the United States is there to protect those who are underserved in the world. Sure, we argue how this should be done, but we agree on something at least.
Protesters were at the meeting in Holy Cross tonight, and I'm kind of glad this blog is my own work and not the views of the church I serve, because I must say: shame on those who, in your own anger, diverted the meeting from being productive, talking about the issues, and asking how best to address the needs of real life people in real life ways. This isn't about politics; it's about humanity. Shame on those who make this an issue about our President and how well he is or is not handling the situation. I pray that your own family never come into need. I pray that you yourself may escape the growing poverty gap between the have and have nots. I pray that you shut your doors, bar your windows, and not look out into your community, a community that is already diversified and an image of the broken Christ, who's blood-stained hands cup this community.
They say never write angry, but how can't you be angry when people's lives are at stake. I believe God feel sads when wayward people do wayward things. My point is this: maybe Holy Cross isn't the best place to host these children until the government can figure out what to do with them, but if Holy Cross isn't, then you tell me where--because these children are already here. And before you point to another region, another state, or another town, take responsibility for yourself, for you and these children are all part of the same humanity and children of the same heavenly Father.
