As if it were you yourself

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them, those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. ~ Hebrews 12:2-3

This above image seems to be the one that is associated with both immigrants and prisoners right now - well, longer than that actually.

I admit that I am more than a little bit disheartened at the language coming from many Christians about immigration.

I admit that I am disheartened when Christians condone violence or torture against another human being because they feel they deserve it.

And I admit that it disheartens me that our justice system - which is imperfect - is centered on retribution rather than rehabilitation.

The letter to the Hebrews is not the first place in scripture where God calls for a different way: a way in which we walk beside those who are in prison, those who are alien to our land, and those whom violence is used against. The Hebrew scriptures - especially in the stories of the prophets - are full of God's call for use to love our neighbors. All of them, even the ones we tend to deem unworthy.

When the church speaks these words of God's we are often accused of being political. But the very global definition of politics is that it is the action of settling affairs in an organiztion or society. And as Christians, our way of approaching that will always include what we believe God's view to be. So the church will always have a role to play in addressing policies that are anathema to God's will and God's word.

As Christians, we may not influence governmental policy, and in many cases, we shouldn't. But we ARE called to walk beside those who policy treats as unfairly. We are called to be the voice of those with no voice. We are called to seek an end to violence.

We are called in fact to act as if it is happening to us.

God of mercy, teach us to be merciful to those who receive no mercy. Teach us to be their voice and to walk beside them. Amen