The newspapers are full of heartrending stories of immigrants drowning or turned back as they try to escape from the war-torn countries of Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and parts of Africa. We also have refugees risking their lives to cross our borders to come to the United States. These migrants are fleeing to Europe and the U.S, for a safer, better life for their families, and who can blame them? Wouldn't any of us flee from persecution and hunger, especially to save our children? These are human beings, not "collateral damage." These are our brothers and sisters who have the same Father. These are the ones of whom Jesus says in Matthew 25: "I was hungry and you gave me food; I was homeless and you welcomed me. . ." Sure, they disturb our complacency, our comfortable lives. Sure, we may have to endure some disruptions to our regular schedules. Sure, we may have to go out of our way to make room for them. But how can we call ourselves Christian if we allow them to die at our borders? How can we call ourselves human, if we treat them as expendable baggage? For too long Western nations have taken their secure, comfortable lives for granted. For too long we have been indifferent to the dire situations of neighboring countries. I am glad to hear Germany and Austria and a few others are taking in more refugees and encouraging other European countries to do the same. I also hope the U.S. will fix our broken immigration laws soon and act in a more humane way.
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| At Greece-Macedonia border migrants try to head north. |
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