Bishop Mike Rinehart names a problem we see and read about all too often. "Governments see the stranger, the immigrant, the refugee, as an unwanted problem." And yet, as long as there is war, famine, and disaster, there will be immigrants seeking a new home for themselves and their families. Rinehart says there are currently 200 million people worldwide in that situation. When I see pictures of immigrants being turned away at the borders of countries where they seek asylum, or of crowded refugee camps, my heart breaks. As I live in my safe environment with far more than I need, I truly can't imagine what that must be like. With such a huge problem, we do remember to pray for the immigrants, and provide our support to organizations like ELCA World Hunger, who work on the front lines of the crisis.
And the stranger is not necessarily far away. "When we encounter the wandering stranger in need, we encounter Jesus. They are sacraments for us." Do we see those strangers we encounter as problems as well? Or is Jesus there, meeting us in the face of the one in need? Are we being given the opportunity to respond in a loving manner, that we otherwise would not have had? "They are your blessing. You are their hope." How will Jesus come to you today?
I am awestruck with Bishop Rinehart's powerful and effective portrayal of Matthew 25's invitation for us to see thirsty immigrants as a sacred encounter. We should go looking to see Jesus in the eyes of the hungry TODAY
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