BY LUCAS SHARMA, S.J. | August 13, 2018
Sunday’s Readings
At the Kino Border Initiative on the border this summer, I met Nelson – a young man fleeing violence in Honduras. He finds himself now at KBI preparing to cross into the United States through the perilous Sonoran desert. He has a sparkle in his eyes – an unquenchable esperanza that he’ll make it and find a way to send money back to his family. He doesn’t know what dangers await him in the desert.
Perhaps he’ll find himself like Elijah – exhausted, hungry, lost. Or perhaps he’ll find his angel – a jug of water left for migrants by No More Deaths. Will he lose that unquenchable hope?
Will he, like many others, die in the desert, or will he find refuge in our nation?
Sonoran Desert [Bureau of Land Management via Flickr]
As we struggle to make sense of our national immigration crisis, we are invited to see Nelson as a human seeking that same bread of life we long for. Certainly, some heard the words of Jesus and turned away, for his teachings seemed absurd and insane. We have a choice – confronted with a God who desires that we labor to be compassionate and forgiving, to live in love. If we choose welcome, we’ll create a community that is the beautiful fragrant aroma that God so desperately desires for all of us.
Lucas Sharma, S.J., is a Jesuit-in-formation of the Jesuits West Province and a student at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Previously, he taught sociology at Seattle University. He is especially interested in the intersection between diversity, equity, inclusion, and Jesuit Catholic identity and mission. When not studying, Lucas loves to cook and watch the soap opera General Hospital.
Thank you for the thoughtful insight. Mine is very different. Care for the ones in need but don’t encourage them to break the law. Our silence or even encouragement to do dangerous or unlawful acts without thinking about the consequence seems like poor planning or wishful thought. Why blame our national policy for doing what all countries do for the responsible protection of its citizens?
Thank you for your beautiful piece. We must witness to love and confront the evil spirit of fear masquerading as “security.” Our nation’s security will never come from closed borders but from a citizenry that is generous, courageous, curious and grateful for the abundance we can share if we challenge and dismantle the oligarchy. We must choose welcome or die spiritually behind locked doors and paranoia.
When I was a stranger and homeless, you welcomed me – says the Lord.