The Bible and Migrant Families
The Mass readings from Genesis this past week have highlighted our ancestors’ stories as migrants, strangers and refugees who moved about seeking a land to settle and a home to call their own. They risked everything for a better life.
Fr. van Thanh Nguyen, a professor of New Testament Studies and holder of the Bishop Francis X. Ford, MM, Chair of Catholic Missiology at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois, tells us this about immigration.
In the words of Fr. Van Thanh:
“I speak from experience: life as an immigrant is often very harsh. An immigrant is eminently vulnerable, relying always on the generosity of others and on the whims of nature. Currently, there are millions of immigrants who are displaced because of conflict, war and natural disasters.
Even though immigrants are often powerless, they are not nameless and faceless. They are human beings and should be treated with the dignity that has been divinely bestowed upon them. In the Bible, those who showed kindness to these folks did not go unnoticed, but were rewarded abundantly. Consequently, biblical writers remind us to treat the strangers and immigrants in our midst with respect and dignity (Exod 22:22, 23:9; Lev 19:33-34; Deut 5:15; 10:19), for to neglect the needs of these migrants makes one liable to punishment (Deut 24:14-15). Jesus memorably sums this up in Matthew’s famous judgement scene (25:31-46).
Migration is a major crisis of our era. Every day countless people are displaced or trafficked. This global phenomenon is growing in scope and complexity, affecting most countries, families, communities, and almost every aspect of modern life. Unfortunately, the world is witnessing an increasing level of anti-immigrant rhetoric and sentiments. Stereotypes and myths about immigrants have greatly fueled xenophobia and caused racial tension and unrest.
How should Christians respond to this troubled sign of the times? We need not be paralyzed by the complexities of the migration debate. Just when racial tensions and fear of foreigners continue to run high, we are encouraged to take the path that God has clearly shown – the way of hesed, tender-loving kindness.”
The Apostle Paul asserts the absolute equality of all people before God: "There is neither Jew nor Greek . . . for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28). In Christ, the human race is one before God, equal in dignity and rights.
"You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt." Lv 19:33-34
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me." Mt 25:35
How will we choose to respond to migrants in our midst?
~St. Luke Life, Justice and Peace Ministry
