September 3
“Then you and the Levites and the foreigners residing among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and
your household.”
Deuteronomy 26:11
Today is Sept. 3, three days after the last overseas troops will leave Kabul airport, and the evacuation of Afghanis, U.S. citizens and others will have ended. God willing, tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from Afghanistan to build new lives far from the lands they have called home. Twenty years of training, peacekeeping, fighting, care, bloodshed and acts of kindness by UN members will end.
Most of us know people who have served overseas in the military, including members of St. Martin’s Clergy and Staff. I know that some in my own family have given months or years away from family and loved ones attempting to bring more stability to the lives of the Afghan people and to the international community at large.
I cannot imagine the hardship of walking away from everything for which you have built and worked. It’s near impossible to imagine having to make a choice between losing my family home and homeland, or losing my life because of my political leanings, my work or things I’ve written on social media.
As a ‘resident alien’ in a land far from home, I give thanks for this nation that has welcomed me. I give thanks that we share a language, even though sometimes we use it so differently! Yet, you have welcomed me anyway. I give thanks for the unity of purpose I feel with you when we work together with students, minister to the Church in the Field or volunteer on Outreach Sunday.
The book of Deuteronomy is essentially Moses’ ‘pep talk’ to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. It’s a call to listen and to love. These verses are a reminder about community – the Promised Land wasn’t empty and, as they settled in the land, they would be surrounded by different tribes and peoples. As God’s people, they were to go about welcoming the stranger, supporting the weak and vulnerable, and rejoicing together in our common life. They are to celebrate together welcoming all, the least to the greatest, and recognize their common humanity.
It is possible that we could be welcoming refugees from Afghanistan into our community in the coming days. If that happens, we will see those who have likely lost much, and with whom we seemingly have little in common. We may find them in the pews on Sunday, at the grocery store, at neighborhood schools or standing in the checkout line at Kroger. I pray if that happens, we will reflect God’s heart and welcome them as members of our community and welcome them as God in Christ has welcome us.
