I cannot sit STILL and allow what last week's national decision
puts into action in this country to just go unnoticed ...
while half celebrate & the other half literally mourn
And this is only one of the many issues that will be going into affect in
2025
with profound impact and injustices
but what
"If Jesus was an Immigrant"
"Jesus would never qualify for any of the categories of visa status to legally immigrate to America. He doesn't have a PhD or Masters level education. He doesn't have family relation. He's not marrying a US citizen. He's poor and probably couldn't afford the paperwork, if He did have a category. If Jesus had money, He could start his own company for a minimum of $150,000 (USD) and apply for an EB 2 visa. If He had $800,000 to $1,050,000 (USD) He could skip to a Green card with the EB 5 investor visa. He might qualify for a clergy/religious visa, but He would have to have a track record of working 2 years in an established church. It would have to be verified as a "real" church, not just some new unheard of religion, and have 501c non profit registration in the U.S. Then there is the fact He is a Jew, and could have been sent back like Anne Frank and other Jews being persecuted who would ultimately die because the US wouldn't let her and the ship of Jews escaping Germany in. So that leaves asylum. In which case He must wait 5 to 7 years for a hearing to prove His case. Is He REALLY being persecuted? 98% of asylum applicants are denied by conservative judges. What if Jesus was a DACA kid, if Mary and Joseph brought Him here as a child to escape King Herod trying to kill Him? He would have been happy to receive status and grace from a president in 2012 that created a visa category for Him. But then another would come along in 2017 and rip away DACA status and try to end the program. He would now be in legal limbo, being used as a pawn for political gain and He wouldn't know from one day to the next if He was going to be torn away from His family and deported to somewhere He never lived. And separated from His family that brought Him to the US. He would be worried for His parents who chose to bring Him here for a better life, and pray that the citizens of America forgive them. He would pray for new laws that would allow a pathway to citizenship for His parents and Himself. He would be sad that most of the people who fight against pathways to citizenship or "amnesty" ie forgiveness are the ones that follow His religion. If Jesus were deported to El Salvador, Haiti, Afghanistan, Venezuela or any other dangerous country, He would probably be ok, because He's Jesus. He can make Himself fish and loaves out of thin air. But what about the others that aren't Jesus, the ones that need help, a home, refuge, someone to welcome and not reject them? "But we can't save everyone". I know, but what would He ask of us to do? I earnestly ask you to consider this, and consider if the Son of Man has no room at the Inn, or no way to fit into a U.S. visa category, maybe we do need to think about immigration reform, other than just "deport everyone". " |
"... a community dedicated to diving into the whole of scripture to understand God's heart for the immigrant and refugee. We believe God calls us to a deep love for the vulnerable, the marginalized, and the forgotten. Together we're on a journey to understand biblical hospitality in an authentic way." |
... "On this day (and every day), we pray, O God, that we remember the purpose for which You put us here. The arms of evil are too short to fight You; strengthen our arms so that we can sap evil of its strength. Stand with us as we affirm our faith in You and our determination to fight back against evil for the sake of the "least of these"(Matthew 25:40), who desperately need to know You are real. Help us to go out today and "hope" somebody." (2) |
"Lord, help us to come alongside our brothers and sisters as their hearts and eyes are opened. Equip us to serve as worthy guides on this journey [to "be the bridge"] ["where we were silent on issues of injustice, we now commit to speaking up boldly for biblical justice in our land"].Help us offer them grace and love as they are learning Your truth, just as we would want people to be gracious and loving toward us."(1) Kristin Hemingway & Latisha Morrison |