We are all refugees
Father Jim Mosier 6 hrs ago
... I am told that we have as many as 200 refugee people in our community. This adds a new dimension of diversity to our community. This diversity has been the source of significant controversy in many parts of this country. This issue is finding a large voice in our presidential election. We are fearful that these people may utilize resources paid for by “our” tax dollars. “They” do not see the world as “we” do. There is fear that “we” might have to change to accommodate “them.” We are always quick to see these things in terms of “them” versus “us.”
It is hard to overcome our fears of crossing boundaries. Yet, it is what God has called his people to do. I am in awe of the courage demonstrated by a person of the Muslim faith to come to America to live. Is it not what our Irish Catholic families faced when they came to this country? Did they not display the same courage?
Crossing these boundaries is our history from the time of Abraham. One of the most consistent themes found in the Old and New Testament is how we human beings address the boundaries we set up against one another. We are consistently called to cross the boundaries that would separate us. There are so many differences between us. Differences of race, belief, political views, finances, lifestyle and much more. These all add to the marvelous tapestry of humanity. Until, however, the differences separate us. The differences that makes a difference ...
Father Jim Mosier is the retired rector at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Ontario ... OR ...
http://www.argusobserver.com/valley_life/we-are-all-refugees/article_0488c0ac-340d-11e6-8010-130502d8d09e.html
