Abuse of undocumented immigrants. A callous indifference toward millions of people battling disease and struggling to live without health care. Families dispossessed by mortgage foreclosure. Banks that cheat, lie, swindle and suck the life from little people. The hatred, anger, resentment, contempt for the poor and greed that drive the new conservatism and faux libertarian movements. The “me, me, me and mine” mindset of the political right.
These things are on my mind today. These things, and the words of Christ.
“Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, who is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”(Luke 6:27-36)
“Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ (Matthew 25:44-45)
Christ’s message was not new. God had spoken similarly before. He continues to speak every day. Are we listening yet?
“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the stranger. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you. You shall love the stranger as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)
May God bless America.
